MARBLEHEAD – A Beverly school committee member has spoken out against her colleagues after the Beverly and Marblehead committees said they are no closer to a deal.
Member of the school committee speaks out
Kimberley Coelho of Beverly’s school committee spoke out against her colleagues on social media Saturday. She says what she has seen from her fellow committee members is “disgusting” and forced her to speak publicly.
“There are some that are obvious [committee members] does not want to finalize a contract. Instead, worry more about breaking the spirit of the union and dividing our community. I believe that our counsel’s legal advice is wrong and will only delay the reopening of schools. What kind of school community will be left with all this nonsense?”
Coelho is the mother of two students in the Beverly Public School system. She said she ran for the commission to advocate for students, parents and teachers and to ensure Beverly was “one of the best districts in the Commonwealth.”
“I encourage my fellow elected leaders in Beverly to stand up against this madness and implore the mayor to reach a fair contract with the BTA this weekend. Please let us get our children back to school, our teachers back to work, and our families and communities on the path of recovery and healing,” Coelho said on Facebook.
‘It’s strange that I don’t have school’
Standing in the freezing rain Saturday, Marblehead teachers gathered for the twelfth day and showed their support for their students for the annual Powder Puff football game.
“I miss my students very much, so we are here to support our powder puff girls who just started playing soccer,” said Laura Weiss, a special education teacher in Marblehead. “We want to be there for them. We want to be back at school with them.”
The Gloucester School Committee said this on Friday reached a provisional agreement with the union about a new contract and students and teachers will be back in the classroom on Monday. But in both Beverly and Marblehead, teachers are still on strike.
“It’s weird not having school,” said Drew DePhillips, a junior at Marblehead High School. “You’re so used to that routine and waking up and going, seeing your teachers, seeing their faces. It’s just sad to see what they’re going through.”
Marblehead School Committee leaders claim the union’s demands are still prohibitive.
“It’s very simple. We are asking for fair and equitable wages, modern family leave and safe schools,” said teacher Connor Ryan. “The mood is good. Everyone is determined. We will stay here until we get a fair contract.”
Governor Maura Healey on teacher strikes
Governor Maura Healey released a statement regarding the ongoing strikes in Marblehead and Beverly. She says she has spoken to everyone involved and believes an agreement will be reached this weekend.
“If they do not reach that agreement, they must ensure that students can return to the classroom on Monday while negotiations continue,” Healey said in a statement. “It is unacceptable that students cannot go to school for more than two weeks. It especially harms our young people, parents and families. Students must return to school on Monday.”
She said negotiations should continue this weekend and that she will request updates from districts.
“Our young people need to get back to school,” Healey said.
The negotiations are still unresolved
In Beverly, the school committee began its 16th day of mediation. The main bottlenecks are salaries, paid parental leave, sick leave for family members and rising wages for paraprofessionals. The Beverly School Committee said if an agreement is not reached by 6 p.m. Sunday, they will be forced to launch a state-led fact-finding investigation that could take months to resolve.
“Throughout this process, we have tried to find a balance between what our teachers have asked for and what is possible for both the financial health of our city and what the district needs to successfully educate our students,” the Beverly School Committee said in a statement. a statement. .
“So Gloucester, I’m so happy that our union brothers and sisters were able to get a fair and just contract there,” said Beverly teacher Kris Melanson. “I know that can happen here and I know that can happen in Marblehead. It’s time for a school committee to stop playing games, sit down at the table and let’s resolve this issue.”
School leaders in both communities have said students may have to make up missed days of school during the February and April holidays.
Paul Burton
