HARVARD — The School Committee did not have time to review the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that relates to the Devens disposition before a hearing held at the Board of Selectmen meeting several weeks ago, according to Chairman Willie Wickman. Now, the board is concerned about language in the document that pertains to the schools.
The original draft included references to a five-year education contract between Harvard and MassDevelopment to educate Devens students in grades six to 12.
Wickman pointed out that the deal is not done yet, and should not be presumed to be part of a long-term town-building scenario. She said the selectmen agreed that the item the board objects to, which spells out contract terms and conditions, did not belong in the MOU, and they had asked the DDEB to remove it.
But the next draft of the MOU still contains the contract reference. It is just worded differently.
The language was changed, but the new version is “just as problematic,” Wickman said.
After some discussion about whether the language in the MOU could be legally binding, board member Mark Hardy opined that it could be construed that way, underscoring the importance of taking it out.
Noting that the MOU was slated to be finalized at another public hearing on June 6, the board agreed to restate its objection to the other board. Members voted unanimously to authorize the chairman to do so in writing.
