The Gloucester Teachers Association and the School Committee began negotiations Monday for a new contract, with School Committee having a goal of both sides reaching a deal by Sept. 1.
“The intent is for us to have, you know, open negotiations. We want it to be a mutually beneficial discussion amongst both teams,” said William Melvin, vice chair of the School Committee and chair of the negotiating team at the start of Monday’s session.
“We, too, are eager to collaborate in a professional and amicable manner to come to an agreement that provides the best possible learning environment for our students which would translate into the best possible working environment for our educators,” said GTA President Rachel Rex.
The teachers’ contract runs through Aug. 31, and its terms continue if both sides have not reached agreement by then.
Negotiations are taking place as the School Committee and Gloucester Association of Educational Paraprofessionals are in mediation over a new contract. The paraprofessionals have been pushing for a living wage while working under the terms of their old contract that expired June 30, 2023.
Before discussion on ground rules, which included lengthening the negotiation sessions from two hours to two and a half hours, Melvin read a statement of the intentions of the School Committee:
“The School Committee will approach negotiations with the mindset that, first and foremost, the primary purpose of our schools, all staff, and the School Committee is to work together in ways that result in more engaged student learning, higher academic achievement and deeper student belonging.”
Melvin said the committee’s goals include both teams understanding the core concerns behind the proposals through listening, acknowledging proposals “are put forth in good faith with positive intentions” and typically need to be modified during negotiations. He said the intention is both teams work to separate people from the challenges and problems, meaning personal attacks are out of bounds.
School Committee Secretary and Negotiating Team Vice Chair Laura Wiessen said the committee’s goal for the outcome is “an agreement that helps to strengthen student learning, meets the interests of both parties to the extent possible, and takes community interests into account.”
Members of the GTA negotiating team read out the pillars of their platform.
“Our first pillar is: ‘Focus on Gloucester students,’” said GTA Vice President Matthew Lewis. “The academic and emotional success of Gloucester students depends on an holistic student approach. Relationships are built over consistent time with staff. This emphasizes the need for educator flexibility in their schedules and staff-to-student ratios that promote meaningful opportunities for learning,” he said.
“The Gloucester School Committee needs to recognize the competitive marketplace for educational professionals on the North Shore. The importance of work-life balance in the post pandemic era needs to be supported in benefits and compensation,” said East Veterans building representative Ruth Flaherty, speaking about the need for “competitive compensation policies to support 21st-century families.”
The next negotiating session is scheduled for March 26 starting at 4:30 p.m.
Ethan Forman may be contacted at 978-675-2714, or at [email protected].
By Ethan Forman | Staff Writer
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