Schools
Stoneham Teacher's Association, School Committee Agree to New Contract; High School to Eliminate Block Scheduling
The School Committee announced a new three-year contract with the Stoneham Teacher's Association that will change Stoneham High School from its block schedule to a rotating one.
The School Committee announced Thursday night that they have reached an agreement on a new three-year contract with the Stoneham Teacher's Association after spending five months negotiating the pact.
"A major focus during the negotitations was on required language that will allow Stoneham High School to change from its current block schedule to a rotating seven period day, thereby allowing the school to schedule students in compliance with state regulations on the amount of structured learning time," the committee wrote in a press statement. "Other language changes included provisions for future negotiations on the state's new professional evaluation standards."
The contract calls for a one percent increase the first day of the 2012-13 school year, a one percent increase on the first day of the 2013-14 school year and a one percent increase on the thirty-fifth day of the 2014-15 school year.
School Committee Comments on New Contract
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The School Committee was pleased with the results coming from the five months of negotiations with the association.
Although absent from the meeting, committee member Mary Christi had a prepared statement which included: “This (contract) put the students of Stoneham first.”
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Committee member Jeanne Craigie said, “This contract is fair to the staff and residents of Stoneham and puts us in for a better financial situation.”
Town Administrator David Ragucci, who attended the session, said, “On behalf of myself and the board of selectmen, we believe this contract truly reflects a fair and equitable contract for students and the residents of Stoneham.”
Shelly MacNeill echoed earlier comments by fellow committee members, saying, “We put the kids first and made sure they can get the best on the budget we have.”
Committee member Daivd Maurer ended the discussion by adding, “We made large strides working as group along the Stoneham Teacher's Association and for that we are proud.”
