Committee Considers Allowing Use of HHS for Fitness Benefit

There could be an after-work health and fitness benefit offered this fall for Haverhill city and school department employees if a usage request is approved tonight by the Haverhill School Committee.

On a mostly routine meeting agenda, several “requests for use of school facilities” include two seeking to have zumba and yoga classes for city and school employees, between Sept. 20 and Nov. 17, in the mall area, between the library and cafeteria, at Haverhill High School, according to committee documents. The requests were submitted by school benefits department Specialist Nina Torrisi. The employee fitness programs would take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Fees, usually charged to outside organizations for rentals, utilities and custodial services at school facilities, would be waived. Approval is recommended by Superintendent James F. Scully.

Also, Scully is scheduled to give the committee a recommendation to fill an assistant superintendent position, vacant since the departure of Julie R. Kukenberger in June. The former assistant superintendent for curriculum became superintendent of the Scarborough, Maine school district in July. Prior committee discussion on a search for a successor, as WHAV reported, raised the possibility of revised roles for the next assistant superintendent and other administrators as a way to reduce turnover in the Haverhill Public Schools’ central office.

The Haverhill School Committee meets tonight at 7 p.m. in Theodore A. Pelosi Jr. Council Chambers at Haverhill City Hall.

3 thoughts on “Committee Considers Allowing Use of HHS for Fitness Benefit

  1. When I first began to read this article, I had the impression that this was a Community Service piece and the facility was being opened to all who live in the City. Not so…..

    What also comes to mind is, will the school then be required to pay a janitor or someone else to stay at the facility while school employees are there? Who will lock up and secure the building after classes? Are these folks going to want to be paid for their additional time “at the jobsite?” Good point that nothing was mentioned about a liability document in case they get hurt or have some sort of mishap. This document is definitely needed.

    I agree with The Chairman. Go join a gym like everyone else, and socialize with a different group of people so that these people know how the REAL world works.

  2. Not that I’m cynical in any way…
    Are these school employees signing a document releasing the school department and city from any liability in the event they get injured? Every school employee taking one of these classes should be forced to acknowledge in writing that their participation is voluntary, not mandated by the school department in any way, and therefore not subject to any disability claims in the event of injury.