<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2B9L20_0vmk2rgG00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2B9L20_0vmk2rgG00" width="1687" height="1687" >At the Sept. 19 School Committee meeting, the School Committee’s Bargaining Subcommittee — Jenn Schaeffner, Sarah Fox and Thatcher Kezer — gave the first public update since negotiations with the Marblehead Educators Association began in March. The subcommittee’s presentation made clear that the two sides remain far apart.It’s difficult to see how the parties will find common ground on a contract that fairly compensates our teachers and staff given Marblehead’s fiscal realities. Information from the MEA is circulated to the community on a regular basis. But without substantive updates from the school committee it is impossible to develop a balanced perspective and understand both sides of the coin.Here are some things we need to see in future SC communications:— How do the MEA’s wage proposals compare to other districts? The MEA has consistently said that Marblehead educators are underpaid when compared to other districts. Does the SC agree? Where would compensation stand relative to other communities if the SC agrees to the MEA’s wage requests?— What is the SC offering for compensation? In the Sept. 19 presentation, the SC editorialized on the MEA’s wage proposals, but offered the public little information about the SC’s proposals. The SC reportedly made a wage proposal to the MEA this Monday that would give staff between a 6% and 9% pay increase over the next three years. The SC certainly needs to protect its bargaining position, but with personnel compensation accounting for 80% of the school budget the SC must be transparent about what it is offering the MEA and how those offers will impact school and town finances.— The MEA contends that our schools are understaffed, compounding student safety issues for staff members.The SC has indicated that staff cuts could be necessary to fund the MEA’s wage proposals. Does the SC disagree with the MEA on staffing levels in our schools? What should staffing levels be and why?— The SC chose to compare Marblehead’s tax levy and new growth to four other communities: Wayland, Andover, Hingham and Swampscott.How does Marblehead compare to these towns on educational metrics such as school performance, class size and teacher and staff compensations?Without relevant information, distributed to the community on a regular basis, a lack of confidence in the School Committee will remain. Communication could be done through more comprehensive public updates by the bargaining committee. Others advocate for opening the negotiations to the public.What do you think? Email the School Committee (schoolcommittee@marbleheadschools.org) and advocate for a different approach to sharing the data and insight to explain the School Committee’s negotiating position. If you would like to subscribe to our emails please visit marbleheadersforchange.com to opt in for updates.Seth Gummere, Jersey StreetChristine Nuccio, Dameys Way</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

LETTER: Calls for transparency grow in School Committee negotiations

At the Sept. 19 School Committee meeting, the School Committee’s Bargaining Subcommittee — Jenn Schaeffner, Sarah Fox and Thatcher Kezer — gave the first public update since negotiations with the Marblehead Educators Association began in March. The subcommittee’s presentation made clear that the two sides remain far apart.