PEABODY – Peabody teachers in need of a new contract received some backup at Tuesday night’s meeting of the School Committee.More than a dozen parents took their seats inside the Kiley School auditorium in support of reaching an agreement for the benefit of the teachers they respect, as well as for the benefit of their children who are students in the system.”I am pleading with negotiators to have a past-due resolution,” said Kathi Syska, a well-known volunteer in the community and mother of three. “I’m concerned about the climate of our schools.”Syska read from a speech she had prepared on behalf of those who were not able to attend the meeting. She went into detail about the overall concerns of parents and students who fear the effects of frustrated teachers entering their 16th month without a new contract.According to Syska, many students at the high school level are worried about their college future, particularly in terms of earning scholarships. She noted that several clubs have been put on hold, such as the literacy and robotics clubs, and some teachers have refused to write recommendations needed to complete the college application process.School Committee member Dave McGeney, head of negotiations for his board, said that such actions by those select few teachers will not be accepted. He said that they were not done based on a collective decision of Unit A and in fact, members of the bargaining unit will speak directly to those involved and tell them to stop.”It sounds minor, but the October school dance,” continued Syska, noting that there have been rumors that the dance would be cancelled this year, an event she thinks is important to the social development of Peabody students.”We’re sad,” she said. “And we’re frustrated?We would like resolve yesterday.”Peabody parent and school volunteer Kathleen Rizzo spoke about her frustrations regarding the process of negotiations and what she believes to be a lack of available information.”I’m very disappointed,” she said. “It’s an absolute disgrace.”Rizzo suggested appointing a new mediator because the city is “not getting anywhere.””I’m ready to give up on the city and the schools,” she said. “I’m tired of the negativity on both sides.”McGeney attempted to reassure parents and the community that the negotiations are moving along and both sides are making progress. He said that the two parties are trying to reach a fair agreement that respects teachers’ hard work, but is also one that taxpayers can afford.”There has been no shortage of attention or priority (on the issue),” he said. “We do continue to make progress.”The current collective bargaining agreement that teachers and paraprofessionals have been working under expired in August 2007.After seeing little development, a mediator was hired last May with the intent of moving the negotiation process along.As the topics are only discussed during private, executive sessions, neither side can elaborate on what exactly is under negotiation; however, teacher salaries are part of the package.