Unsettled Teachers Contract Threatens Stability of Stoughton's Schools

(From the Stoughton Teachers Association)

Over 50% of Stoughton teachers who participated in a recent Stoughton Teachers’ Association online survey say that the unsettled teachers’ contract has caused them to consider seeking employment in another school district. 

“This was, without a doubt, the most disturbing revelation of our survey, said STA President Andrea Pires.  “Staff turnover has been a major concern. Stability is what will allow us to build a cohesive team with a common vision and purpose to move the Stoughton Public Schools forward to be the best we can be for our students.”

Pires attributed the teachers’ attitudes to the protracted and contentious negotiations for a new contract.  “The school committee and the superintendent are saying that our salary schedule should be restructured and reduced while at the same time they are voting to give back $780,000 in surplus money from the school department budget to the Town. It’s outrageous,”  said Pires.

 The STA survey was conducted over a ten day period at the end of October.  It was designed to assess teachers’ attitudes about teaching in Stoughton; the school committee’s management of the schools; and the superintendent’s leadership of the schools. 

Almost 200 Stoughton teachers participated in the survey.  The full survey results can be found at http://stoughton.massteacher.org/