Teacher's salaries

Yesterday's blood pressure raising article in the Sun about Wilmington teachers wanting more money got me thinking about Dracut's teachers. You may recall that they were the only union in the town who refused to make any financial concessions during this budget crisis.

Their argument was that they make less money when compared to surrounding towns. Well, according to the Massachusetts Department of Education, the average salary of a Dracut teacher in 2008 was $61,290. Four years earlier the average salary was $48,592 and there are 38 less teachers!

Tyngsboro's 2008 average salary? $59,591
Chelmsford's 2008 average salary? $61,998
Groton Dunstable's 2008 average salary? $59,446
Westford's 2008 average salary? $60,708
Tewksbury's 2008 average salary? $62,972

Granted, Lawrence and Lowell pay more but they're cities. I don't see how Dracut teachers are making all that much less than area schools.

Dracut's history

Thanks to Rebecca Duda of Lakeview Junior High School, I have developed an interest in Dracut's history lately. Just today I became a member of the Dracut Historical Society ($5 membership, you can't beat it) and spent some time down at the society's building on Lakeview Ave. There was a couple there who grew up in Dracut and they were looking around too and he filled me in on some of Dracut's past.

The building is a fantastic resource. They're only open on Sundays from 1pm-3pm but there is a lot of things to see and lots of books to read and flip through. It's a great place to just spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. If you've never been there you need to check it out.

I found out today that they have a website - www.dracuthistory.com There isn't much there other than a history of the society but it's worth a look.

Cox and O'Loughlin running?

The lead item in today's Column was an interesting tidbit about rumors that Selectmen Bob Cox and James O'Loughlin were thinking of running against Rep. Colleen Garry. Garry is having a fundraiser this Thursday and it is ironically being held at Coyle's, the restaurant owned by Cox.

Cox tells the Sun that "he has been approached about the idea" of running but is still making up his mind saying the "timing" may not be right. "I have to do what's right by my family. They come first."

I have heard that O'Loughlin is thinking of running and he told the Sun, "If I don't pull nomination papers for selectman in February, you'll know why."

Obviously, if one of these guys chooses to run than the other won't. I don't see Cox running, especially since Garry worked for his brother John Cox when he was state representative for Dracut. Plus, he's rather new to the Board of Selectmen (2005) so perhaps he wants to stay on for some more experience.

O'Loughlin has been a selectman for almost 20 years and may be ready for something new. He has a nice job with the state (he works for the Lottery) so I am surprised he'd want to give that up to serve in the Legislature. He would make a tad more money as he made $59,196 in 2008 whereas Garry made $58,237 - but he would have to run for his job every 2 years. Garry also has a head start on finances - she had $14,350 on hand as of December 31, 2008. With this Thursday's fundraiser, that will be much larger.

Either way, it will be interesting to see. While I like Garry a lot the politico in me would be interested in seeing a debate on the issues. In the 4 1/2 years I've lived in Dracut I don't think we've had any real races on the state level so it would be something different.

As always, stay tuned.

Hers if she wants it

I unfortunately missed most of School Committee Chairman Matthew Sheehan on "Saturday Morning Live" this morning but what I heard was interesting:

1. Superintendent of Schools Spencer Mullin has taken all of his sick days so far this year (15)

2. Mullin has cancelled meetings with principals, is leaving work early, etc (according to Warren Shaw). He also wasn't at this week's School Committee meeting (Neither was Business Manager Tom Rose).

3. If Elaine Espindle wants to be the interim superintendent, she will be the interim superintendent (direct quote from Sheehan).

Scott Brown in Dracut

Republican Senate candidate Scott Brown was in Dracut today. He posted a picture of him outside the football game passing out flyers on his Twitter page. See here.

Happy Thanksgiving Dracut - and go Middies!

Quiet Selectman Meeting

It was a quiet Board of Selectmen meeting tonight but there were two interesting things brought up. First, there was a continuance of a request by National Grid to add a new pole on Cheever Ave. These requests are routinely approved but the abutter complained that the pole would harm her property aesthetically. She made a plea at tonight's meeting and got emotional (i.e. tears). Selectman James O'Loughlin suggested that DPW head Mike Buxton work with National Grid to move the pole down a little ways so as not to impact the homeowner. They agreed.

Secondly, O'Loughlin asked that the town look into what the school system will be doing with the Parker Ave. School should they close it in June. O'Loughlin thinks this may be a good site for a new Town Hall.

Great minds think alike - I proposed this same idea back in July! I think it is something to look into, O'Loughlin is on to something.