by Frank Schroth

MPS teachers at School Committee meeting

The unprecedented presence of an estimated 250 Milton school teachers at last night’s School Committee meeting made a strong statement regarding their displeasure and concern over the status of contract negotiations with the committee and administration. Margaret Gibbons, President of the Milton Educators Association (MEA), said the teachers have been working without a contract since last March. She noted that despite the failure of “100 hours” of discussion and 14 negotiating to produce a successful result, the teachers “continue to do the hard work of educating students.”

The teachers, all members of the MEA, appeared during the Citizens Speak portion of the meeting, which was held in the Winchester Auditorium to accommodate the large number.

Margaret Gibbons, President of MEA

The contract specifics were not provided, but from the comments made it sounds as if there has been little if any salary adjustment proposed. Ms. Gibbons, the first of seven speakers said, “We cannot agree to a lower dollar amount.  .  .  we are asked to do more, and do more, and do more.” She alluded to past concessions that had been made and said the teachers are “proud to work here.”  She punctuated her remarks with, “This is who we are,” and closed saying that, “Investing in Milton should begin with investing in Milton’s teachers .  .  . It is the teachers who instill confidence, reach and risk [in the students] .  .  .  . It is time to settle this contract.” She received a standing ovation and thunderous applause as did the speakers who followed. Here are some of the comments they made:

Why are we here? Why is it November and we don’t have a contract? Something is not right  .  .  .  you need to take a long hard look at what is going on .  .  . [this is] not a restructuring but a reduction.  .  . we deserve better .  .  . a fair, across the board salary increase.

— April Allegrezza, Music, Elementary schools

Do you know we donate more to the MFE than you are offering us? [We] gave back 5% of our health insurance.  .  . [we] opened our contacts and gave back some of our salary. Who does that? We do! (Reading an email from a past student who is now pursuing a doctorate in history) “That’s teacher inspiration . .  . that’s not 0%, that’s 100%”

— Owen McElhinney, History, Pierce

It worries me .  .  . that we are at an impasse .  .  . something we have not experienced in the last twenty years.

— Mary Shapiro

Milton teachers like each other .  .  . we work with others enthusiastically .  .  . [we possess] an intense sense of pride .  .  . we have the 10th strongest AP program in the state .  .  . these teachers deserve a fair contract because we work too hard to work without one.

— Nick Fitzgerald, English, MHS

At the conclusion of the remarks, members from each school rose to read a petition asking that the committee and administration “negotiate a contract that acknowledges and rewards the contributions we [the teachers] have made” and expressed complete support for their bargaining team. They also read the signatures.

Lynda-Lee Sheridan, Chair of the School Committee, noted that the committee’s policy is not to respond to comments made during Citizen Speak. She thanked them for coming. The committee then reconvened in the MHS library to discuss the remaining issues on their agenda.