<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2uKFlZ_0wF2iqTL00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2uKFlZ_0wF2iqTL00" width="1757" height="948" >Marblehead’s contentious teacher contract talks continue Monday at 3 p.m., when the School Committee’s bargaining subgroup will sit down with the Marblehead Education Association. The latest session comes just a few days after an emotional School Committee meeting where many educators (and some parents) demanded higher wages, better benefits and safer schools. You can read about that meeting HERE.Also at the Oct. 17 meeting, School Committee Chair Jenn Schaeffner presented an initial $9,500 contract retainer with the Boston public relations firm, Slowey McManus Communications. Schaeffner said the firm would “work us with during the process of negotiating a bargaining agreement with our units.”The PR team charges $350 an hour.School Committee member Sarah Fox countered, “We can discuss it further. I have very strong reservations about this.” The committee is expected to vote on the PR contract at its next meeting. When contacted about the PR contract, Village School teacher and union co-president Jonathan Heller said, “Lawyers and PR firms don’t teach our students. We have staff in our schools making under $15-an-hour and Sarah Fox and Jenn Schaeffner think the most appropriate use of tax payer funds is transferring hundreds of of thousands of dollars to a law firm, and now opening the coffers further for a PR firm.”Heller continued,” This should tell every resident in Marblehead what they need to know about the mismanagement and irresponsibility of this School Committee. Our staff and students deserve better.”Meanwhile, union members continue their work-to-rule action at rotating schools, holding informational pickets and refusing to perform any duties outside their contract. On Monday, the picket line will occur at the Brown School at 7:40 a.m. </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Contract talks resume Monday, School Committee considers $9,500 PR contract

Marblehead’s contentious teacher contract talks continue Monday at 3 p.m., when the School Committee’s bargaining subgroup will sit down with the Marblehead Education Association. The latest session comes just a few days after an emotional School Committee meeting where many educators (and some parents) demanded higher wages, better benefits and safer schools. You can read about that meeting HERE.