The Marblehead School Committee Bargaining Subcommittee met with the Marblehead Education Association during their 11th bargaining session. The negotiations were primarily focused on discussions regarding school safety. The subcommittee provided a revised proposal for the establishment of a School Safety Committee.
The subcommittee’s proposal included equal membership representation from school administration and all staff areas. They called for the joint committee to be co-chaired by the superintendent or designee and one of the MEA co-presidents. The proposal also requested that the committee meet twice per academic year outside the student school day, with the option to meet more or less frequently by agreement.
In response, the union reaffirmed its initial position, despite the administration’s explanation that the union’s proposal could likely violate student privacy. While the negotiations mainly focused on the subcommittee’s draft proposal for the creation of a School Safety Committee, the union confirmed its current proposal for a wage increase for Unit A, the vast majority of the staff, of 40% over the next three years.
The Marblehead School Committee deeply values all of its employees, students, and the community, and remains committed to devoting the necessary time to reach a fair contract, while balancing that with the fiscal realities of the town of Marblehead.
