Fall 2021 - MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)

 Dear Colleagues:


The Negotiating Team would like to propose the following MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) for your consideration.  It is important that some context be included for a deeper understanding of how we came to this agreement.  

First, all districts were waiting to see if the state, both DESE and the Governor were going to put into place a mask mandate, which they did in late August.  Then, we had to see if the School Committee were going to follow with a mask mandate, which they did at their School Committee meeting in late August.

Secondly, the Negotiating Team would like you to take note of what is not included in the MOU.  There will be no live streaming or Zooming of any classes.  The latest Commissioner Report to all Superintendents indicated that districts can allow live streaming if they felt it necessary.  The Negotiating Team were adamant that we did not want to go back to last year's model.  That is not to say that Zooming or live streaming will not return if Georgetown covid numbers indicate that we return to the Hybrid or full remote model.  For now, there will be no live streaming or Zooming of any classes for students who are absent.

Conversations regarding Zoom options for future meetings, such as: staff meetings, IEP meetings, etc can be discussed with building principals and dealt with at the building level.  

Finally, there are some districts that have no MOU'S in place now that we are back to school "All in".  The GEA felt it was necessary to continue to have some protective language in an MOU for the safety of all.

Voting for this MOU will close on Thursday, September 9th at 5:00 PM.  

The ballot will be arriving in your mailboxes via Survey Monkey.  If you do not receive one, please email Secretary Paul Swaim @ uwe1765@yahoo.com 

Thanks

Joe


 Full All In Proposals

 *District will continue to supply all PPE equipment, including to but not limited to, masks, gloves, gowns, lights, air ventilation machines, etc. at no additional cost to a member.

 *Mask wearing will remain mandatory for all people inside the buildings at all times, except for snacks, lunch or breaks at teacher discretion until further notice.

*If a member(s) runs out of sick time and must quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure or infection, then a sick bank will be open for those members to utilize.

*If a student must quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure or infection, then the member will communicate a plan for how the student will access learning during the quarantine period. Live-streaming will not be provided as part of a plan.

*Student and staff desks, tables and work stations can be set up with 3 - 6 feet social distancing, with 3 feet being preferable, but not required according to DESE guidelines.
 
*The district will continue to monitor weekly COVID numbers and consider them in decisions such as returning to the hybrid.  

 *The items contained in this MOU will expire on the last day of the school year in June 2022.

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