Posts tagged Newton School Committee
Newton teachers reach tentative agreement after 11-day strike
February 5, 2024 // In addition to salary losses, a judge fined the teachers association more than $600,000 for violating the state’s ban on strikes by public workers and on Friday threatened to double daily fines to $100,000 if no agreement was reached by Sunday. The school district, meanwhile, was expected to spend an additional $53 million over four years to cover the new agreement, which includes a cost-of-living increase of about 13% over that period for teachers, pay hikes for classroom aides and 40 days of fully paid family leave time. District negotiators said it also had racked up more than $1 million in court and other costs since the walkout began.
‘Gone too far’: Chair of Newton School Committee tears up after classes canceled for 10th day
February 1, 2024 // The teachers’ union insists that Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller has the money it’s asking for if she reallocates money to schools. “The offer we proposed would continue to make Newton one of the highest-paying school districts in the state,” Fuller said. Newton School Committee Chair Chris Brezski was visibly emotional in his opening statement on Wednesday night. “There’s really only one kind of progress that matters right now. My kids aren’t going to school again,” he cried. “This has gone too far.”
Contract talks break down, schools closed in Newton Friday as teachers continue strike
January 25, 2024 // A judge's court order says the union owes $375,000 for the illegal strike. A hearing could be held on Friday to "discuss a more meaningful approach to ensuring compliance with the law."
Newton schools will be closed again Monday as teachers remain on strike
January 22, 2024 // "I ask the union to join us and put the kids first," Fuller added. Schools were closed Friday after the Newton Teachers Association voted overwhelmingly the day before to start the strike. A judge issued an injunction Friday evening ordering teachers to end their strike by 3 p.m. Sunday and get teachers back to class Monday but after hours of back-and-forth between the union and the school committee, a deal wasn't reached this weekend.