Contract talks between the teachers union and School Committee bargaining subcommittee took a turn for the worse Monday afternoon, with a representative from the Massachusetts Teachers Union yelling an “obscenity at the subcommittee followed by shouting in self-proclaimed anger by union members stating the proposals provided were insulting,” according to a press release sent out late Monday night by subcommittee members Sarah Fox and Jenn Schaeffner.
“Tensions became higher,” said Marblehead Education Association Co-President Jonathan Heller. “We had staff that did raise their voices because they’re upset, and rightfully so.”
According to Heller, MTA rep Anthony Parolisi used the word “sh–ty” to “descirbe the substandard agreements of the past and not directed at the School Committee or any individuals.”
The MEA is planning a rally outside the high school before the next bargaining session on June 11. School Committee Chair Sarah Fox said she has invited Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer to attend the negotiations.
The MEA will then stop bargaining until September, which means teachers, paraprofessionals, tutors and custodians would start the new school year without a contract. Contracts expire at various times over the summer.
“Our membership has expressed the interest to utilize an extended bargaining team, including the core bargaining team and silent representatives,” Heller explained. “We are not contracted for the summer. We are under no obligation to bargain over the summer… our staff will not be around.”
Heller said the MEA does not want to start the new school year without a contract.
“We have been bargaining in good faith with the School Committee,” he added.
Proposals and counter-proposals
The MEA and subcommittee traded proposals for paid family leave but did not agree on what the current contract stipulates for parental and sick time, according to Heller.
The subcommittee outlined its offer to custodians, whose contract is the first to expire, on June 30.
“The proposal included a 20% increase in sick time, a market adjustment wage increase, the new benefit of paid parental leave, an enhanced bereavement leave and a vacation buy-back option,” according to the subcommittee’s press release.
The MEA released a statement saying, “The School Committee refused to address many of the common proposals (which apply to all union members) yet again, except to offer an initial counter on parental leave that actually reduces benefits for some members.”
The MEA also stated that the subcommittee’s paraprofessional proposals included a “zero percent wage increase in year one, followed by just 2% in years two and three. Proposals for tutors and permanent substitutes were no better.”
The proposal would leave paraprofessionals living under the poverty level, Heller said. The MEA critisized the offer in a message on its social media accounts.
Heller said the subcommittee’s proposals will prompt Marblehead educators to leave the district.
“Now you can understand why tensions were so high,” he said. “We are advocating so we can attract and retain the best educators, which our students deserve. We need to catch up to the other towns that surround us.”
Heller pointed out that Marblehead superintendents and School Committee members come and go.
“The one constant is the teachers,” he said. “We are the foundation. Every single teacher, para, custodian, coach, cafeteria worker… we are the ones that work tirelessly to make sure we give our students the best.”
The MEA posts its proposals and updates at https://linktr.ee/marbleheadeducators.
Interim super finalist meet-and-greet
Interim superintendent finalist Jonathan Robidoux spent Monday, June 3, in Marblehead visiting all five schools and meeting with administrators, teachers and parents. Only five people turned up at the high school for a community meet-and-greet.
Robidoux said it has not been discussed whether his interim position would be for one or two years, and he expressed an interest in staying on as the permanent super. Currently the superintendent in Swansea, Robidoux lives in Great Barrington, Rhode Island, and told the Current he might need to get an apartment in the Marblehead area if he is hired.
One parent asked Robidoux how he would address the “angst across the district” and improve teacher morale.
“It starts with conversations with staff and relationship building,” Robidoux answered. “You have solid teachers. We need to celebrate the staff. The staff in my district feels very supported.”
Robidoux said he has always been involved in contract talks with teachers unions in Swansea. He said, if invited by the School Committee, he would be happy to get involved with negotiations here.
A former student services director, Robidoux said he’s proud of the way Swansea has supported special education initiatives. He said when he arrived in Swansea 18 years ago, 80 students were sent out of district for special services. After establishing new programs and hiring new staff, he was able to cut that number to just seven.
Robidoux said he had been warned about dysfunction in Marblehead and acknowledged that he would be working with a team of newly hired administrators.
“People have said, ‘Don’t you know there’s all kinds of crazy stuff going on there?’” he said. “There are always concerns when new staff is coming on board. But we can grow the team together. It’s a challenge but a good thing, too. People are less set in their ways.”
The School Committee is planning to meet Thursday at 7 p.m. to vote on Robidoux’s hiring. It will also go into executive session to discuss union negotiations.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.