SEEKONK - Members of the school committee Monday defended the contracts they recently signed for the teachers and other school employees.

Member Fran Creamer responded to criticism from selectmen, saying the contracts, which include a 3.5 percent raise, were "negotiated in good faith."

Creamer said the closing of the North School in 2006 resulted in a savings for the town, and noted there had been an budget surplus last June, when the new contracts were being negotiated.

Selectman Michael Brady last week accused the school department of lacking financial accountability. The school department returned $400,000 to the town last June.

Creamer said selectmen had agreed to use that money to fund the teacher salary increases. "They said they would back us," she said. Chairwoman Marjorie Bradley said the school committee had attempted to create a working relationship with the board of selectmen. "It's very disheartening to see the work we did over the past five years destroyed," Bradley said.

Member John Bilodeau said he was "appalled" by Brady's comments and challenged Brady to confront him directly with his criticism. "Don't hide behind a camera," Bilodeau said.

Superintendent Emile Chevrette said he was dismayed at the "bashing" the school committee has been receiving. "This is getting out of line," Chevrette said, adding that the school committee "had the best of intentions" in negotiating the teacher contracts.

Funding of the teachers' contracts will be voted on at a special town meeting Nov. 8, just five days after the fall town meeting.