by Leia Owen and Sammy Myette
Tensions are high in regards to teacher contract clause 5C. Parents and students are still unclear about specifics, but that hasn’t stopped them from speaking up against potential changes that result from the stipulations.
According to the School Committee, the part of the contract in question has existed for many years.
At the School Committee meeting that took place Tuesday, June 11, students and parents shared their concerns. A few high school students met earlier in the day to generate a speech for representative Alex Schley to deliver, and about a week before that, sophomore Kayla Penniman created a petition that was signed by over 450 students.
Listen to Alex’s speech in this video:
And here are some clips from the resulting discussion:
The HEA was shocked by some of the statements made at the meeting, particularly in response to statements about afterschool help sessions. The teachers’ union stated, “The HEA is extremely disappointed that a member of the school committee would make that statement. Neither she nor the superintendent has shared with us any examples of teachers not willing to stay after. Most faculty members do stay after school for extra help, school activities, and clubs. Many stay after every day. That extra time does not even include the preparation, planning, and grading we do on our own time.”
These afterschool meetings have the potential to disrupt extracurricular activities. Clubs, arts activities, and sports will continue, but a new schedule will have to be produced.
“I have two honors students here at the high school,” said Alex Andrews, “and they are already busy after school in band, theater, camerata three, four, or five days after school, and I know they’d like to be involved in other activities. And it’s scary to think that’s what makes their high school a positive experience – the rest is just bookwork. It’s exciting and they have great teachers, but the afterschool stuff is what makes these kids whole persons. I think that’s really important.”
On Thursday, June 20 teachers met with Principal Brian Reagan to discuss next year’s afterschool schedule. High school teachers will be in meetings every Monday after school for an hour and will have to establish other meetings during each month for curriculum and committee work.
“We understand that our work doesn’t end with the last bell,” said representatives of the HEA, “but, like all professionals, we function better if we have as much control as possible over the additional work we do.”
