Teachers Union Members Crowd School Committee Meeting

The Chelmsford Federation of Teachers Tuesday night packed the School Committee meeting in an effort to bring awareness to the community as contract negotiations continue. The process has been ongoing since April 2009.

Federation President Katheryn Chamberlain told the School Committee she wanted to "set the record straight" after School Committee Chairwoman Kathy Duffett spoke publicly about the negotiations in open session.

"At this meeting several weeks ago, statements were made regarding negotiations," she said. "The first was the percent of increase teachers requested. The percent that was stated was not (accurate)."

Chamberlain said Duffett also incorrectly said the period of time over which the increase was to be given.

"It was understood by the federation and, we thought, the administration that a non-discussion agreement had been signed," said Chamberlain. "Unfortunately, although the question was asked, (it) could have been answered in a way without specifics. I sit before you to set the record straight."

Chamberlain said she did not want to discuss specifics of the negotiations to "continue to abide by the agreement."

A few supporters also spoke to the School Committee.

"My daughter was in a private school and is now in the and I couldn't be happier," said Lorinda Clemente. "I believe it's a wonderful school system and the teachers have a lot do with that. They have families too. It's more than a job - they are shaping our children's lives. They are shaping the future generation, the future society. You can't put a price on that."

Virginia Cramer, a teacher, said she knows economic times have been difficult.

"I know some of the concerns the School Committee has in terms has in terms of financial increases," she said. "We as teachers do also have families and are impacted by the economics of our times. We have spouses who have lost jobs, including mine, who was out of work for two years."

Creamer said her husband just got a part time job with no benefits.

"I am the supporter of my family financially and in terms of health care. We do need a cost of living increase and affordable health care," she said.

Debbie Joyce, a teacher at , said she and other teachers can appreciate the difficult times.

"I've been here since 1989 and … since 1989 I think there was one contract that seemed reasonable and was arrived at without contention," she said. "Year after year, we've heard (there's) no money. So we are in difficult times, but we've given back raises and taken no raises. There comes a point to say we don't feel supported and we're taking a stand."

Duffett said there was "nothing in the ground rules (that) indicate the School Committee is prohibited from reporting when asked about the issue."

"I spoke as the chairman with consensus of the committee after conferring with counsel, and my statement was based on CFT's written proposal dated Sept. 30, 2010, titled 'An Agreement From 2010-2013,'" Duffett said.

As a result of the conflict, Parker Middle School teachers refused to accompany students on the school's annual trip to Quebec without an agreement by Nov. 1. Parker's trip has been cancelled. McCarthy Middle School will still go as planned.

"It became clear we were not going to have a settlement. We responded on the Web site and said we would be exploring other opportunities in hopes Parker would not miss out on valuable educational experience," said Duffett.

Duffett said the committee is committed to reaching an agreement.

"We respect our teachers very much and feel they're doing a great job. We feel they're professional and have every intention of coming to a settlement," she said.