Educators, parents, and community members packed the GHS library on Tuesday night for contract negotiations between Gloucester Educators and the Gloucester School Committee.
The two sides continued to debate wages, parental leave, elementary school prep time, and teaching hours, but no agreement was reached.
“The School Committee showed yet again that they are unable to make decisions in the room,” GTA president Rachel Rex said in a video released after the meeting. “We are now years into trying to solve the cascading issues that continue to grow in our schools.”
There have been 12 negotiating sessions for teachers and 22 for paraprofessionals. Gloucester teachers have been without a contract since August, and paraprofessionals for more than 400 days.
Paid parental leave continues to be a sticking point for both sides. Educators made concessions from their original proposal of 12 paid weeks, asking for 8 paid weeks, 2 weeks at 75% pay and 2 weeks at 50% pay. The School Committee increased their original proposal and offered 10 days instead of 5.
“Moving from 5-10 days is a step in the right direction,” MTA Field Rep Nick DiPardo said. “But not nearly where it needs to be.”
Teachers noted nearby districts Salem and Masconomet provide six and eight weeks of paid parental leave.
“We’ll work on parental leave as one of the crucial pieces,” Superintendent Ben Lummis said. “I really believe we can get this done if we keep meeting.”
Another main topic was cost of living adjustments.
The School Committee presented a revised COLA proposal of 2.75% for year one, 1.5% for the first half of year two, 1.5% for the second half of year 2, 0% for the first half of year 3, and 3% for the second half of year 3. They also proposed adding a step 14 with a 1% increase.
According to the School Committee, the GTA’s proposed salary increase would be $170,000 more than the $1,750,000 increase in the total operating budget for the 2025 fiscal year. Educators questioned the School Committee’s numbers.
“I don’t think these numbers are right,” DiPardo said. “I don’t think the people in this room trust you.”
The School Committee maintained its proposal to make the elementary, middle and high school days the same length, extending teacher work hours with no additional compensation.
The GTA rejected this proposal and advocated for longer elementary prep periods, and a decrease in elementary after school hours from 27 to 20 – the same number as the middle and high school.
“There’s a lack of equity in after school hours,” Plum Cove Elementary school teacher Kerrie Donahue said. “We spend the most minutes face to face with the students. Though our hours are shorter, the minutes in front of the students are longer.”
School committee made no movement on school safety issues, para subbing, and family sick leave.
“Negotiation after negotiation our members have made concessions that continue to leave our wages and working conditions as some of the least competitive in the region and in the state,” Rex said in the video. “We are sick and tired that we are being told that we are worth less than the sacrifice and the commitment that we make to our students, our schools, and our community.”
Teachers urged the School Committee to invite Mayor Verga to the next meeting on November 12th at 4:30 in the GHS library.
