More than 70 members of the Marblehead Education Association attended a negotiation session with the School Committee last night, emphasizing the urgent need for meaningful contract negotiations. The large turnout underscored educators’ commitment to addressing critical issues affecting classrooms and the community.
“The commitment of our educators is evident in their presence tonight,” said Hanna Partyka, a kindergarten teacher at Glover School. “We are here to fight for our students and our colleagues, and we need the School Committee to recognize the seriousness of our situation. The time for playing games is over — it’s time to step up.”
The MEA has brought new proposals to the negotiation table, while the School Committee has engaged in what union members described as surface bargaining, showing little real progress on key issues.
“It’s disheartening to see the School Committee treat this with such a lack of urgency,” said Anna Buono, an English teacher at Marblehead High School. “We’ve made significant movement on our proposals, including withdrawing key proposals the School Committee has highlighted as difficult to agree to, yet they seem more focused on changing the font of their documents than on making substantial offers that would support educator retention and student well-being.”
By 8 p.m., the School Committee had presented minimal changes to its proposals, which union members said reflected a lack of commitment to resolving ongoing issues.
“Our students deserve better than this,” said Lianne Ivers, a tutor at Village School. “We are fighting not only for fair compensation but for a sustainable future for Marblehead Public Schools. This is about creating an environment where both educators and students can thrive.”
As frustration grows over the School Committee’s apparent disregard for the needs of educators and students, the MEA is calling for immediate action and accountability.
“We need our elected leaders to prioritize our community’s future,” said Laura Weiss, a special education pre-K teacher at Glover School. “This is not just about us; it’s about every student who walks through the doors of our schools.”
Sarah Fox of the Marblehead School Committee was unavailable for comment.
The next bargaining session is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. The MEA hopes to see the School Committee come prepared to find solutions to the serious problems facing Marblehead Public Schools.