Four Brockton School Committee members have requested the deployment of the National Guard at Brockton High School due to an increase in violent and drug-related incidents, while many city leaders, including the mayor, oppose the idea. City councilors argue that school administrators should do more to address disciplinary issues and truancy, and that the divided school committee needs to work together to find solutions. Some councilors believe that the school's administrators have failed to enforce rules consistently, while others emphasize the need for parental involvement in addressing disciplinary issues. The school committee's internal divisions have also been cited as a factor contributing to the challenges faced by the school.
Four members of the Brockton School Committee have requested support from the Massachusetts National Guard to address increasing incidents of violence, security concerns, and substance abuse at Brockton High School, leading to 35 teachers missing school. While some families support the request due to safety concerns, others feel it is excessive and that alternative solutions should be explored. Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan does not support the use of the National Guard and has discussed school safety measures with the police chief. The governor's office is aware of the concerns and in contact with Brockton officials, and the School Committee is scheduled to meet on March 5.
Four School Committee members in Brockton, Massachusetts, requested the deployment of the Massachusetts National Guard to assist with security matters at Brockton High School following a disturbing increase in incidents related to violence, security concerns, and substance abuse. The mayor, Robert Sullivan, informed the committee members that only Governor Maura Healey can activate the National Guard and stated that he does not support their deployment at the school. The school district is also facing a significant budget deficit and declining enrollment, with 130 staff members being laid off.
Newton's teachers and the city's School Committee have reached a tentative agreement to end the acrimonious strike, with classes expected to resume on Monday. The new four-year contract, which requires ratification, addresses key union priorities such as parental leave, FMLA leave, salary increases, and protecting teachers' planning time. The deal comes after weeks of negotiations and a judge's threat of escalating fines. The strike affected nearly 12,000 students in one of Massachusetts' largest school districts, and the agreement aims to bring healing and stability to the community.
After 15 days, a deal has been reached to end the Newton teachers strike, allowing students to return to class on Monday with a one-hour late start. The agreement includes increased salaries for aides, adjustments for cost of living, additional social workers and staff, expanded parental leave, and more. The Newton Teachers Association faces over $500,000 in fines for the illegal strike, and the contract requires ratification from NTA members and the School Committee. Governor Maura Healey's administration got involved, demanding status updates and requesting court-ordered binding arbitration if a deal was not reached by Friday.
Overnight negotiations between the Newton School Committee and the Newton Teachers Association ended without a deal despite reaching identical financial proposals, with the School Committee attempting to change agreements on social workers and working conditions. The Newton School Committee voted to cancel February vacation to make up for the 10 missed school days, and the state administration is taking legal steps to potentially force an end to the strike, including seeking binding arbitration if an agreement isn't reached by 5 p.m. Friday.
The Newton School Committee voted to cancel February break and called off the 11th day of classes due to the ongoing teachers' strike, aiming to make up for lost school days. Options being considered to offset missed days include canceling part of Spring Recess, using a rotation of weekend days, and extending the school year until the end of June. Attorneys for the school committee and the Newton Teachers Association are expected to appear in court in response to an emergency motion to double fines for each additional day that the strike continues.
Tense negotiations to end a lengthy teachers' strike in Newton, Massachusetts, are stuck on the issue of money, with students having missed 10 days of school. The school committee and union have reached agreements on various issues, but the main sticking point is teacher compensation. The union has called for more money in the city budget for teachers, while the school committee has voted to eliminate vacation days to make up for lost school days. State officials have asked for court intervention and are pushing for a resolution to get students back in the classroom.
The ongoing teachers' strike in Newton, Massachusetts has led to the cancellation of classes for the 10th day, causing emotional distress for the Chair of Newton's School Committee. The strike stems from a $15 million disparity between the demands of the Newton Teachers Association and what the School Committee can provide. Parents and officials are urging for a resolution as fines continue to accumulate for the teachers' union, and discussions about makeup days are underway.
Newton schools will remain closed on Monday as teachers and the school committee failed to reach an agreement on a new contract, resulting in the seventh day of student absence due to the teacher strike. The main issues include better pay for paraprofessionals, parental leave, and more social workers on staff. Both sides negotiated but failed to reach a compromise, with the school committee claiming the teachers proposed a "take it or leave it" offer, while the Newton Teachers Association argued that their proposals were reasonable and necessary. The NTA has been racking up fines for the illegal strike, and tensions remain high as the strike continues.
The Easthampton School Committee rescinded its offer for Vito Perrone to lead the district as superintendent after he used the term "ladies" in an email to the committee chair, citing it as a "microaggression." Perrone, who is the interim superintendent of West Springfield Public Schools, said he was shocked and devastated by the decision. He had addressed the pair as "ladies" in the email that was going over three negotiation points after the School Committee had offered him the superintendent job. Growing up in the 1960s and 70s, Perrone said the terms "ladies" and "gentlemen" were respectful, and it's why he used "ladies" in the email.
Supporters of Vito Perrone, the current interim superintendent of West Springfield Public Schools, will hold a protest in Easthampton on Monday evening after his job offer to be the next superintendent of Easthampton was rescinded last week. Perrone said the offer was rescinded after he sent an email about upcoming contract negotiations to School Committee Chairwoman Cynthia Kwiecinski and the board’s executive assistant Suzanne Colby, addressing them as "ladies." The School Committee will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the superintendent search and potentially vote on a new candidate.
The offer to become the superintendent of Easthampton Public Schools was rescinded due to a perceived "microaggression" in an email candidate Vito Perrone sent to school committee members. The email addressed negotiations, including more vacation time, and began with the salutation "ladies." Perrone explained that he grew up in a time when "ladies and gentlemen" was a term of respect, but the committee was insulted and rescinded the offer despite his apology. Perrone, who was taking a $14,000 pay cut to leave his role in West Springfield, expressed disappointment but hopes everyone can learn and grow from the situation.
