Last week the School Committee voted in favor of a three-year contract for the teachers. I was absent from the meeting because of an illness that required hospitalization. Below is a short synopsis of what I was going to say prior to the vote if present.
As I begin my ninth year on the Swampscott School Committee, I have had the distinct pleasure of being one of the five elected “Ambassadors of Education” for the students and parents residing in the Town of Swampscott.
For clarification purposes, the committee is responsible for the budget, the performance and contract of the school superintendent and policy. Most of our time is spent on our fiduciary responsibility to the Town and making sure there is parity within the School District. I have witnessed students excel from our METCO program and all six precincts within Swampscott. Where a student resides has no bearing in the education they receive from the District.
My optics of the contract is what I believe is best for the District. I am a union member of Massachusetts Coalition of Police Local 417 and I believe my perspective of being a union member is incredibly helpful to the district. I feel that I can see each side of the debate. During the past few months, the committee was updated on negotiations. Each side devoted countless hours in negotiations.
Our teachers were working without a contract for some time. During this time hundreds of emails were received from teachers both active and retired, parents and students in support of a new teacher contract. Lawn signs arose overnight, and the collective bargaining agreement was a topic with many.
Most of the teachers were clear on their desires and made appearances at multiple meetings. For me personally, I was able to see firsthand that some of the energy the students require was being impacted. I have two older children that went through the system and a current fifth grader. I am also the Committee representative and liaison for the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) for the district. I hold this position close to my heart and have no problem voicing the district responsibilities to educate the students under the special education umbrella.
In terms of the contract, I believe that all district employees should be paid in a fair manner. Keep in mind the negotiation process is a give and take. Over time certain articles of the contract have been added and subtracted. We must have fairness to the employee which will enhance educational prosperity via the classroom.
The first year of the contract is ending very soon for 2019-2020. I do not believe anybody has an issue resolving this. The second year of the contract is for next year – 2020-2021. As a community, we could not begin the school year without a Year Two contract. The third year of the contract is where I initially had some worry. The metrics used for real time economic data and recovery are tangible.
There are two things I do not want to see via the third year of the contract. Most important is our students not getting the most robust educational experience they deserve. We have over 2200 students that amaze me daily. The second is having to lay teachers off. I have participated in some controversial issues during my tenure. Layoffs are something that would bother me immensely. In time, I began to realize that a complete three-year contract would be beneficial to all. This decision was made by communication with several people within the community and updates by the negotiating team and leadership team in executive sessions.
There are structural changes in the new contract involving how substitute teachers are paid which could yield savings of more than $100,000. In addition, this contract slows budget growth by giving teachers a raise that while less than surrounding districts, keeps them competitively paid. All done without paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars in free cash to accomplish token “buy backs” that will not pay off for at least a decade.
A three-year contract during financial uncertainty buys us the most critical thing: a partnership with our teachers during tumultuous times so we can get the job done.
Additionally, important to me is having an employee handbook as soon as possible. This upcoming school year is going to be different for all. Energy and resources should be 100 percent dedicated to our students and faculty. All of us have an enormous part in this process and having an agreement in place allows the kids to learn, the teachers to continue to foster excellence in education and as equally important, allows Superintendent Angelakis to devote her time to the mission statement of Swampscott Public Schools. I look forward to an equitable recovery for our students. Currently, our students have a front row seat in history.
We should make every effort possible to engage these young minds. The current anxiety students are feeling is not going away. Our teachers are going to be the key to our student’s success. The membership of the Swampscott Teachers Union is aware that the “ice” is very thin and with any more financial exposures will easily crack or worse. I expect to put the past behind us and move forward with high expectations and positive learning environments.
Respectfully,
Ted Delano
Ted Delano is a Swampscott School Committee member.