On July 27, 2023, I wrote to the editor about my concerns regarding the conduct of the School Committee and I was critical of their termination of then Superintendent Buckey and provided warning to what may unfold without their course correction. Since publishing that letter, the performance of the School Committee, which has been broadly reported in the Current, has eroded public confidence and trust.
Which brings us to the current situation of collective bargaining units at Marblehead Public Schools, which I forewarned “will most likely be a difficult and expensive negotiation, we are faced with the prospect of having little leverage. Will we see a double-digit contract increase? It’s not out of the question given where recent collective bargaining agreements have settled in nearby towns. If the teachers are unhappy in negotiations, they will walk out or hold demonstrations before school. Why wouldn’t they? They now have all the power without a trusted superintendent in place. All of us should care about this because the teachers’ union contract settlement drives every other contract negotiation in town. We are looking at a significant increase in labor costs in Marblehead for all town employees, which without new revenues will lead to potentially further program and service cuts in the future.”
The School Committee negotiating team got off to a very poor start. Neither member had any prior experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements. They were late inviting the experienced Thatcher Kezer into the bargaining sessions on behalf of the town. But do not be fooled by public statements by the Marblehead Education Association. MEA is not leading the negotiations. I believe the Massachusetts Teachers Association is at the head of the table, negotiators who have no ties to Marblehead, but the full weight as a state organization, and the MEA falling in obediently behind them.
Having served on the negotiating team for the Masconomet Regional School District some years ago, I have direct experience with what is unfolding now. The position of the MTA is unbending and unrealistic, and they do not care. They are proposing a compensation increase of 38% for teachers over four years. The MTA believes that they can lay siege to the School Committee and force them to capitulate to come to the town for a massive override next year. The narrative will be “if the override fails, then the schools will be dismantled.” This is a false choice, and a tactic more commonly used by hostage takers. Make no mistake, there will be a teachers’ strike in Marblehead. MTA has orchestrated similar illegal labor actions across multiple towns in the commonwealth.
We can all agree that we want the best schools for our kids and happy educators. But public comments from the MEA regarding the state of negotiations have been bellicose. The MEA has used the custodian negotiation as a false flag with the public, while not being transparent about the real issue, which is the teachers’ contract. For these reasons I would like to commend the School Committee for holding their ground on behalf of taxpayers in Marblehead. Our negotiating team understands the fiscal implications to the town not only from CBA at the schools, but what that means across all CBU in town. I do not believe that negotiations should be open to the public, which only invites agitators and takes away from the efficacy of the process.
There is no doubt that a new CBA will significantly increase costs across our town, which will outpace new growth. So how do we manage this? It comes down to making some very hard and unpalatable choices, which we as taxpayers through our School Committee, must decide. Outside of a large override, which has been roundly defeated for 20 years, here are a few unpalatable ideas for our negotiating team to consider:
— Negotiate a reasonable but affordable increase in compensation. The ~12% package is both; however, has been disregarded by the MTA. Is there some nibbling at the edges that will be satisfactory to both parties? Let’s hope so.
— A new CBA will come with the reality that we cannot staff at our current levels. We should be proactive in preparing for this new reality. The MEA knows this. A new CBA will result in a reduction in force, and the MEA will have a “Sophie’s Choice” in deciding which educators stay, and which will receive pink slips in the new contract. Should we start now by instituting a hiring freeze?
— Remove unfunded mandates in the next CBAs (to include the teachers) such as allowing non-Marblehead resident teachers, paraprofessionals, etc. to have their children attend MPS for free. At a fully burdened cost of $20,000/child per year, this leads to significant expense to our taxpayers. In any given year we may have ~20 or more enrolled students from outside our district (~$400,000/year). We are not a school choice district, so we receive zero reimbursement for these students.
— Reasonably limit paid parental leave. If a member under the CBA is paid for excessive parental leave, the district must hire a substitute at an additional cost to fill the gap — with us paying twice. The ask from the MEA is unrealistic.
— We must invest in student services so that we can limit the large variable expense of out-of-district placements.
— Evaluate the financial impact of our METCO program. Everyone applauds the value of this program; however, it is quite likely the reimbursement the district receives on an annual basis falls very short of the total cost of this program. This cost includes unfunded student services that our taxpayers provide. Can we still afford this program in FY 25-26 and beyond?
— The co-teaching model is an important element of our district. Can we still afford this, or is there (in some instances) a more affordable delivery of education?
Make no mistake, this is a very difficult time for our town. Let us hope that CBAs can be settled in the best interest of our educators without breaking the town. Our School Committee, however flawed in prior performance, must be commended for holding their nerve under intense pressure from the MTA, MEA and by proxy, those with the red signs of “Fair Contract Now”. Supporting our School Committee does not mean you do not support our educators. Our School Committee consists of volunteers, parents and taxpayers. They represent all constituents in town and deserve our support during this negotiation.
Thomas Mathers
Ocean Avenue
Former member of the Marblehead School Committee
Former member of Masconomet Regional School Committee
Former trustee, Butler University
