GEA Update - August 14, 2021

 Dear Colleagues:

I wanted to take a moment to update you on a few items.

First, the negotiation team will meet with the School Committee and Superintendent to discuss what the beginning of the school year will look like on Thursday, August 19th.  We still await clearer guidance from DESE and the Governor as more communities are leaning towards mandatory masking to begin the school year, with some districts opting for all students, and staff members including all those vaccinated to be masked.  The Negotiation Team will be discussing all these issues and determine if any tweaking to our already existing MOU is needed.  

Secondly, there will be a community forum on Thursday, August 19th beginning at 6:30 PM to be held in the GMHS Auditorium to discuss, hear from and inform the community.  This meeting will take place in person but at this time we are unsure if it will be a Zoom meeting, as well.

Finally, the School Committee is set to vote on this issue at their scheduled meeting on Thursday, August 26th.

As soon as more updated information becomes available, we will inform you immediately.  

Thanks

Joe

Popular posts from this blog

Post Override Fail Update

Image
Dear Colleagues: The override vote has been devastating for membership.  The GEA will be pushing hard for any and all cuts to come from other areas that do not involve direct service providers.  We want to assure members that we will be going over every cut with a fine tooth comb to make sure all contractual language was followed.  We would like to direct membership to Article XXIV-Layoff and Recall clause located on pages 19-22 of our current contract to learn more.  That language specifically outlines the steps that the district needs to follow.  We would like to specifically point out Section 2 A and B on page 20. 2A- To the extent possible and practical, normal attrition will be the first method used, to reduce the number of teaching positions in those classifications and/or department in which reductions are necessary.  That is, teachers who resign, retire, or otherwise terminate their employment shall not be replaced.  Also, includ...
Read more

Union Update

Image
Dear Colleagues: On the heels of a successful parent/educator forum, we have our first combined (GCAT)-Georgetown Contract Action Team and (PAT) Parent Action Team meeting slated for this Thursday, May 2nd.  At this meeting, we will discuss our next collective steps to address district leadership and the serious morale issue.   The Negotiating Team will also be meeting on May 2nd to discuss the district's last set of proposals and formulating our responses.  This Friday, May 3rd, MTA Rep Kevin Tierney and I will be listening to a district response regarding the "Involuntary Transfers" grievance filed and heard a few weeks back.  We will update membership with the district response, asap. Tuesday, May 14th is our next Negotiating Bargaining session.  A reminder that the session will be held in the GMHS Cafeteria beginning at 4:30 PM.  Silent members please be in the cafeteria by 4:15 PM and we need as many members to be there as possible. Finally, I wan...
Read more

Update

Image
Dear Colleagues: Here is the latest update. The GEA GCAT members are asking members to attend a short 5-10 building meeting to learn more about this upcoming, important meeting. Penn Brook had a great turnout at our meeting last Thursday. GMHS Members will meet tomorrow, Monday, May 20th right after school in the Community Room. The GCAT/PAT Team Co-authored a strongly worded letter that will be read at Thursday's School Committee Meeting.  We are hopeful that every GEA member signs this petition that can be found by clicking the link below no later than Monday, May 20th but also make plans to attend the School Committee Meeting next Thursday night, May 23rd.  The meeting will be held at Town Hall and we are asking ALL members to attend and be there no later than 6:00 PM.  We are asking members to park at the Park and Ride and walk over to Town Hall due to limited parking. Signing the petition and attending the School Committee Meeting are extremely...
Read more