Danvers Teachers United

To The Danvers Community:

Did you know the teachers in the Danvers public schools have been working without a contract since July 1, 2014?

As teachers, we understand complex factors influence negotiations between a town government and its unions. Since little progress has been made in contract negotiations, this letter will make you aware of the crux of the disagreement…the value of education.

Danvers has always prided itself on providing a quality education for its children. The community realizes their future success depends upon it. The quality of life for your children and our community depends upon schools with talented, dedicated educators. Over the years, as the world has become increasingly complex, Danvers has maintained its commitment to the health of our schools and hope for the future by making our school system a district that attracts and keeps some of the best educators in the state.

Now is not the time to waiver in this commitment. Highly qualified educators are needed more than ever to provide the youth of Danvers with the critical skills needed to prosper in an ever more competitive global economy, and to guide them through the complex pressures and challenges of the modern world. Teachers are not merely instructors of academic material; we are holistic advisors monitoring and guiding our students’ social and emotional development. In addition to the work we do in the classroom, we support our students through the local and global triumphs and tragedies of today’s world.

Now, more than ever, Danvers must continue to invest in its teachers. Unfortunately, the town’s representatives seem to have lost sight of this value, steadfastly refusing to offer us a fair contract. In sharp contrast to recently negotiated contracts with other unions in town, the teachers union has yet to be presented a fair offer. As we continue to work diligently to give the students of Danvers the quality education they deserve, we ask members of the community to show your support.

Please encourage town representatives, including the school committee, to make the best decisions for Danvers. If you value the future of the children and your community, please help us impress upon town representatives the need to offer teachers a fair contract. If you support education, you should support educators.

Sincerely,

Jeannine Acheson, Debra Auday, Liza Barrett, Mike Belyea, Cherry Bennett, Laurie Bernier, Amanda Black, Emanuela Bologna, Kevin Brown, Brenda Capone, Annie-Rose Carter, Mike Chace, Beth Cleary, Lauren Cullivan, Rachel DeDominicis, Lindsay DosSantos, Sean Dunleavy, Glenn Farrell, Danielle Finocchiaro, Laurie Franchi, Mary Franz, Katie Gardiner, Mark Gargan, Marci Gelinas, John Gregerick, Patrick Hamilton, Jackie Hutchinson, Jack Jones, Laura Larson, Lisa Laverdiere, Maria-Elena Leslie, Betty Ann Maney, Siobhan McDonald, Tim McGraw, Heidi Nock, Sandy O’Donnell, Deborah Orthman Palermo, Seon Park, Janice Pendergast, Christine Purcell , Pam Reynolds, Amy Roy, Lauren Sideri, Kathy Smith, Julia Steeves, Jeff Surrette, Jill Weeks,, Ellen White Meg White, Renate Uhlig

Concerned teachers at Holten-Richmond Middle School