Peabody Teachers Protest Budget Cuts

PEABODY, MA -- Teachers in Peabody waited in school parking lots until the first bell rang before marching inside together, and were expected to leave when they dismissed students Monday as part of a "work to rule" action by their union. The teachers are protesting budget cuts and will not perform tasks that are not specifically outlined in their contract. For high school teachers, that means no more writing college recommendation letters or helping edit essays for college applications; for students throughout the district, it means teachers will not be available for after- or before-school help and meetings.

Interim Superintendent Herb Levine declined comment because the protest is a personnel issue. The American Federation of Teachers, which represents Peabody teachers, did not respond to a request for comment. This story will be updated if they respond.

Last month the Peabody School Committee approved a $6.2 million budget cut for the 2018-19 school year. The budget cuts 10 classroom positions, as well as $500,000 for supplies. The budget cuts also eliminate five teachers aides, a custodian and a guidance counselor. At the time the budget was passed, Levine said the staff cuts are coming through retirements and non-renewal of contracts. The school system pays about $60 million to staff its 10 schools, which serve 5,900 students.

Although this is the first formal protest by teachers, one teacher told parents that there was a paper shortage days after the budget was passed and, as a result, she would not be assigning homework for the rest of the year. The claim ended up being false, and the first grade teacher apologized to school officials.

Subscribe to Peabody Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).