Signs Of Hope As Newton Teachers Strike Cancels 5th School Day, Fines Hit $200K

NEWTON, MA — As all sides of the Newton teachers' negotiations expressed hope that momentum in negotiations on Wednesday marked progress toward the resolution of the weeklong strike, teachers were again set to hit the picket lines on Thursday and head to the State House and City Hall for rallies as classrooms remained closed for the fifth straight school day.

The Newton Teachers Association said "some actual negotiation at the table" did take place on Wednesday as the gap between the teachers union and School Committee was closed on paid family leave. But as NTA representatives continued those negotiations on Thursday they also remained steadfast that they will not return to the schools under a new contract agreement is reached.

"Part of our fight is rooted in chronic underfunding in public education occurring at both the local and state levels," an NTA spokesperson said in a statement Thursday morning. "We needed to deliver the message wherever we can that our students and educators deserve more resources and support."

(More on Patch: Newton Parents Group Builds Support For School Funding With Petition)

Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said after school was canceled for a fifth straight day on Wednesday night that the negotiations are "not about winning" against the NTA and that she desires a fair contract that balances the needs of Newton Public Schools with those of other city departments amid finite resources.

"I agree that the Newton Public Schools need even more ongoing and sustainable funding," she said. "That requires our voters to approve an operating (Proposition 2 1/2 tax) override. We tried in March 2023 but that one failed.

"If we agree to increases that are not sustainable, critical services will be harmed— fewer teachers, police officers, firefighters, librarians, road paving crews, and more."

A Middlesex Superior Court judge imposed fines that doubled each day of the strike starting at $25,000 on Monday and have since climbed to $200,000 per day.

Despite the fines, the NTA said its priorities remain living wages for all employees, including special education support personnel, increased student mental health services and adding social workers to every elementary and middle school, what the NTA calls "modern and humane family leave," cost-of-living adjustments and designated times for classroom preparation and collaboration with colleagues.

Newton teachers voted last Thursday afternoon to walk off the job effective Friday morning after the union said 98 percent of its membership voted in favor of the strike.

Superintendent Anna Nolin said that all school buildings will be closed — with all school-related events canceled — for the duration of the strike.

Grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meals will be available each school day morning of the strike at Newton North and Newton South from 9 a.m. to noon, as well as METCO headquarters on Roxbury Street in Boston from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All school days missed due to the strike will have to be made up at some point during this academic year.