Newton's teachers and the city's school board reached an agreement Friday night to resolve a bitter strike that has kept children out of classrooms for more than two weeks in one of Massachusetts' largest school districts. The tentative agreement settles negotiations that began in October 2022. The strike began on January 19. Union and city officials said classes will resume Monday. The new, four-year contract will require approval from both members of the Newton teachers union and a majority vote of the school board. The board met Saturday morning to vote, and city officials said the union is expected to vote within days. “This is a sustainable contract. Sustainable for Newton Public Schools and our city. There will be no layoffs. As I outlined, the funding came from our operating budget and the use of one-time funds. In a fair way that doesn't create a fiscal cliff,” Mayor Ruthanne Fuller told reporters after the deal was announced. . VIDEO: Union describes contract Friday night outside the Newton Education Center, NTA spokesman Ryan Norman read a summary of the contract provisions. Both sides have yet to disclose the exact details of the deal. Normandin said the agreement protects the union's “key priorities,” including a 60-day parental leave policy, 15 days of FMLA leave, pay raises for aides and behavioral therapists and protecting teachers. ' Designated planning or preparation time. Video: Raw emotions remain after deal reached “We fought tooth and nail for the schools our students, families and educators deserve,” Normandin said. “The next time you step into the polls, I hope you remember how much of a difference elected officials make. I want you to remember what happens when you have a mayor and a school board that aren't willing to fight. Our schools, our students, We are ready to fight for our families, for our educators.” “It's been a long two weeks and nobody looks back. It's going to take time. For the city to heal, for our schools to heal, we're asking for patience and leadership from all the adults in our community to show our kids how you respond to challenges,” said School Board President Chris. Bresky said. Video below: School board 'hurts' strike ends Teachers strike is illegal in Massachusetts, but educators in five communities have been on at least one day of picketing since May 2022: Brookline, Malton, Haverhill, Woburn and Andover. With nearly 12,000 students, Newton Public Schools has the largest enrollment. The judge on Friday threatened to impose new fines on the NTA of up to $100,000 per day if the strike continues until Monday. However, the Newton Teachers Union has already collected $625,000 in court-ordered fines. If not believed, the judge said he expected payment on Monday. The Newton School Board voted to eliminate four days of vacation during February break to make up for days lost during the strike. State law requires public school students to attend school for 180 days. , and all school year attendance requirements must be met by June 30.
Newton's teachers and the city's school board reached an agreement Friday night to resolve a bitter strike that has kept children out of classrooms for more than two weeks in one of Massachusetts' largest school districts.
The tentative agreement resolves negotiations that began in October 2022 and a strike that began on January 19.
Union and city officials said they expect classes to resume Monday. The new, four-year contract will require approval from both members of the Newton teachers union and a majority vote of the school board.
The board met Saturday morning to vote, and city officials said the union is expected to vote within days.
“This is a sustainable deal. Sustainable for Newton Public Schools and our city. There will be no layoffs. As I outlined, the funding came from our operating budget and the use of one-time funds. In a reasonable way that doesn't create a fiscal cliff,” Mayor Ruthanne Fuller told reporters after the deal was announced. said.
Video: Describing the Treaty of Union
Outside the Newton Education Center on Friday night, NTA spokesman Ryan Normand read a summary of the contract provisions. Both sides have yet to disclose the details of the deal.
Normandin said the agreement protects the union's “key priorities,” including a 60-day parental leave policy, 15 days of FMLA leave, pay raises for aides and behavioral therapists and protecting teachers' designated planning or preparation time.
Video: Bitter feelings remain even after the deal
“We fought tooth and nail for the schools our students, families and educators deserve,” Normandin said. “The next time you step into the polls, I hope you remember how much of a difference elected officials make. I want you to remember what happens when you have a mayor and a school board that aren't willing to fight. Our schools, our students, How hard are we willing to fight for our families, our educators.
“It's been a long two weeks and no one looks back fondly. The city will take time to heal, our schools will take time to heal, and we're asking for patience and leadership from all adults in our community. Show our kids how you respond to challenges,” said School Board President Chris. Bresky said.
Video below: School board says 'painful' strike is over
It is illegal for teachers to strike in Massachusetts, but educators in five communities have been on strike for at least one day since May 2022: Brookline, Malton, Haverhill, Woburn and Andover. With nearly 12,000 students, Newton Public Schools has the largest enrollment among school districts.
A judge on Friday threatened to impose new fines on the NTA starting at $100,000 per day if the strike continues into Monday.
However, the Newton Teachers Union had already collected $625,000 in court-ordered fines. The judge said he expected the payment on Monday unless he was convinced otherwise.
The Newton School Board voted to eliminate four days of vacation during February break to make up for days lost during the strike.
State law requires public school students to attend school for 180 days, and all school year attendance requirements must be completed by June 30.
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