GLOUCESTER, Mass. — All 3 North Shore Public Schools have announced that school will once again be closed on Monday, as week 2 of North Shore teacher strikes continue.
In a letter sent out to Gloucester families, Superintendent Ben Lummis said that he is frustrated that there is yet to be a resolution to the strikes and that students, “deserve to be in school.”
Lummis stated, “We have worked through the weekend in hopes of finding common ground with the union leadership but unfortunately the two sides continue to remain apart on key issues like wages. The School Committee remains committed to working with the independent, state mediator as we have for the last 10 days.”
Chair of the Gloucester School Committee Kathleen Clancy released an update regarding meetings with the Gloucester Teachers Association (GTA) and Gloucester Association of Educational Paraprofessionals (GAEP) sharing proposals on wage increases for paraprofessionals.
“The salary proposals that we have provided are the largest salary increases ever in a Gloucester Public Schools’ contract. The proposed wages are very competitive for the region and ensure that the city does not overstrain its finances or be forced to make service and personnel cuts.”
Marblehead Interim Superintendent John J. Robidoux also announced that Marblehead will not have school on Monday as the MEA continues to strike.
In a letter released from the Marblehead School Committee, they offer insight into negotiations and proposals offered from either side.
Mediation efforts were underway on Sunday in Marblehead with neither side coming to an agreement.
Beverly School Committee released a statement regarding canceling classes, saying that neither side has come to an agreement.
In a statement from the President of Beverly School Committee Rachel Abell, “As we shared with you this morning, the School Committee provided the BTA with comprehensive counter proposals for both our educators and paraprofessionals that addressed areas still unresolved. Throughout the day, we continued to put forth strong offers that provided additional district-paid parental leave, more access to paid family medical leave, language related to preparation time, an expanded paraprofessional-to-educator pipeline, and opportunities for educators to obtain graduate credits and advance up the salary scale at a faster rate. All of these were areas of concern shared by the BTA negotiators.”
“We have also received questions regarding this evening’s Emergency School Committee meeting. The School Committee is required to publicly post all meetings, even those whose only agenda item is to enter into executive session. The purpose of the executive session tonight was simply to provide the School Committee an opportunity to discuss information related to bargaining to ensure all members of the School Committee are informed and provide an opportunity to change and discuss the matters at hand, the same way our BTA counterparts privately caucus with their members throughout negotiations.” Abell said.
After-school curricula will be allowed as long as the advisor or coach is willing to participate.
Gloucester schools will also, again, provide pick-up breakfast and lunches between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
All school days canceled will be made up at the end of the year similar to snow days.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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