The Executive Board hopes your 1st month of school went well and we wanted to update you on a few union items that we discussed:
1. The GEA is aware of the need for substitutes throughout the schools and we continue to discuss the issue with Superintendent Jacobs. Furthermore, we know class coverage payment at Penn Brook has been brought forth as a concern. We continue to press the matter with Superintendent Jacobs as we discuss the issue. She is aware of our collective concerns and thoughts. We will be meeting soon to discuss further.
2. Clubs: We know that not all clubs at the middle high school are not running this year due to budgetary issues. Superintendent Jacobs is working towards a possible solution. To be clear, all Appendix C positions do not have to run if funding is not available. Nobody wants to see these clubs not run, including the Superintendent. Superintendent Jacobs is discussing the issue with Principal Jeff at GMHS and we hope to have a resolution, soon.
4. We know Negotiations are about a little over a year away, however, when Negotiations for our next contract begin to ramp up late next year, we will have a new Superintendent and a new Chairperson for the School Committee. With inflation currently running rampant, now is the time to begin thinking of language considerations, as well as, financial packages for future proposals. Also, it is time to start thinking about whether you would like to serve on the Negotiating Team. We know it is in the future but please keep it on your mind and let us know if you would like to serve.
5. With a relatively new administrative team in place, we would like to remind members that if a member feels that any meeting is leading to disciplinary issues, you have the right to stop the meeting and request union representation. Furthermore, no member should ever sign any documentation that will be placed in their personnel file. If you receive any documentation pertaining to a disciplinary issue, do not sign it and please contact me for further guidance.
6. The GEA is aware of the current issue with which flag(s) can and cannot be flown either outside the schools or potentially inside the schools. The School Committee Governance Committee is currently discussing the issue and we await their response. The School Committee is a separate entity than the town and may choose to go down a different pathway than the town. Currently, the American Flag and military flags only can fly from municipal buildings in Georgetown. The question around whether or not every other type of flag, Pride Flags, Black Lives Matter Flags, Blue Lives Matter Flags, etc can fly is in the discussion phase.
7. Below is a pasted flyer sent over from our union brothers and sisters from Middleton. Middleton union members voted overwhelmingly to work to rule until a fair contract is settled. October 3rd, Middleton educators will be having a rally in Middleton (Info below). If time permits, please think about adding your voice to their collective voices and join them in
demanding a fair contract.
8. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your building representatives.
Thanks
Joe
Middleton Educators Take Action for Fair Contract
As bargaining for a new contract remains stalled over salary proposals, the Middleton Educators Association announced today that its members will no longer do voluntary work outside of contractual hours. The MEA is also holding a rally on Monday before the School Committee meeting to continue advocating for fair pay and working conditions.
MEA members who educate students in grades preK to 6 are paid substantially less than educators teaching the same student population once the students move on to the Masconomet Regional School District for middle and high school. Pay for educators in Middleton is also low in comparison to surrounding communities and comparable districts across the state.
The disparity contributes to low morale among educators in Middleton and growing difficulty for the district in filling open positions. More than two dozen staff members and educators have left the district over the past year.
The rally for a fair contract starts at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, at Flint Public Library, 1 Main St., Middleton.Educators and their supporters will also speak at the School Committee meeting that begins at 5:30 p.m.
Middleton Educators Association members overwhelmingly approved a plan of action to end voluntary work outside of contractual hours. Educators began this week by entering their schools together at the contractual start to the day. Beginning on Friday, Sept. 30, educators will depart together at the end of their contractual day.
The MEA issued the following statement:
“We thank the members of the community who have supported our fight for a fair contract. The undervaluing of educators in Middleton has been a growing problem that has now reached crisis proportions. Educators doing comparable work with the same student population at higher grade levels are earning $10,000 to $20,000 more than we are. Educators do not enter this profession for the pay it provides. But we have come to a point where we are punishing ourselves – and our families – to work in Middleton, and the district is finding it highly difficult to hire the best possible candidates to fill vacancies. The town can afford to raise educators’ wages. We are putting forward proposals that are fiscally responsible even as they begin to address the inequities in our salary structure. It is well past time for the School Committee to value the work that we do to help students succeed in this district.”
