Dear Friends,
I’m writing to request your help. You may be aware that since this past September, all Newton teachers have been working without a contract. This is each and every faculty member, in every single public school throughout Newton. The dispute that our teachers are having with the School Committee is one of compensation and it directly affects all of our children and each of our families.
image from Twitter
Perhaps you noticed the teachers marching yesterday to the Ed Center, demonstrating their concern with the current state of affairs? Or maybe you saw many of them wearing yellow shirts to school in solidarity of their plea? Our teachers, who work in devoted and tireless ways, are requesting a reasonable salary increase.
Sadly, Newton pays its teachers considerably less than do neighboring comparable towns. The School Committee (spearheaded by Matt Hills, the Chairperson) are denying them this opportunity to have salaries that are competitive with towns such as Wellesley, Weston, Needham or Dover. The result is that our teachers are working without a contract and the potential effect of the School Committee’s resistance may be an undermining of teacher morale at best, and at worst, may encourage teacher turnover.
Most of us, my family included, moved to Newton because the schools were touted as excellent. The town’s school reputation rests primarily on the caliber of its faculty members. If the School Committee harms our teachers, then the School Committee unintentionally harms our children. That is certainly all I needed to hear, though someone in the community pointed out that this will in turn present an additional adverse effect on our home property values.
There are over 50 of us on this list. As a friend once said, there is power in numbers. Will you consider doing this relatively easy but important task of voicing concern about the School Committee’s reluctance to resolve their differences with our teachers?
Below is a quick letter I’ve drafted.
Feel free to use it as it is, or modify it to reflect your personal concerns. It is important that we stand up for our teachers, especially now as they need us the most.
I’ve also included Matt’s email as well as the school Committee’s email. If you’re so inclined, you can go onto the school committee webpage and email each School Committee member directly here.
And, if you feel as passionately about this issue as I do, please forward this email to whomever you believe will help us do the right thing in keeping Newton an awesome place to live, work, and grow children. Thanks so much.
Dear Members of the School Committee—
It has been brought to our attention that our teachers city-wide are requesting a reasonable increase in their compensation. As parents, citizens, and taxpayers of this City, we stand behind our teachers and their request. Their concern is our concern and we want to see their dedication and commitment reflected in compensation that is at least commiserate with comparable towns. Anything less devalues their wonderful work and sends the wrong message to these women and men who help make Newton schools as strong as they are.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Email: Matt Hills: matt_hills@newton.k12.ma.us
School Committee:schoolcommittee@newt
p.s. Wicked Local showcased an article about the march yesterday. You can read more about it here.
