BOSTON — Tensions have escalated as teacher strikes in three communities in Massachusetts enter another week, prompting officials in at least one district to indicate that schools may need to hold classes during weekends and vacations this winter to make up for lost instructional days.
Schools in Beverly, Gloucester, and Marblehead, located north of Boston, have remained closed, with some institutions shuttered for up to nine days as a result of the ongoing strikes.
Rachael Abell, the president of the Beverly School Committee, expressed serious concerns about the impact of the strike, labeling it “incredibly harmful” and asserting it is undoubtedly affecting students, families, and the community as a whole.
According to state regulations, school districts are mandated to fulfill a minimum of 180 days of educational instruction each year. Beverly’s Superintendent Sue Charochak noted that the district would be forced to schedule classes during typically non-instructional periods, such as weekends and holidays, if the situation does not resolve soon.
Earlier this week, teachers gathered at the Massachusetts Statehouse, claiming that district negotiators were not making sufficient efforts to achieve a fair settlement.
The Beverly Teachers Association is advocating for smaller class sizes within the 4,500-student district, a comprehensive 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and improved compensation for paraprofessionals and teacher assistants, whose starting salaries are currently at $20,000.
In Gloucester, where the district serves around 2,800 students, the union has demanded at least eight weeks of fully paid parental leave, escalated pay rates for paraprofessionals, enhanced safety measures for students, and additional preparation time for elementary school educators.
On November 12, judges imposed a $50,000 fine on the unions representing Beverly and Gloucester, with an additional $10,000 penalty accruing for each subsequent day the strike continues. The unions authorized the strike on November 7, leading to ongoing school closures.
Negotiations have been marked by tension. Last week, Gloucester’s Mayor Greg Verga faced criticism after being filmed making an obscene gesture toward striking teachers. He clarified that his action was not aimed at the teachers but rather in response to aggressive comments from an individual nearby, expressing regret over the incident.
Abell reported on Wednesday that the Commonwealth Employee Relations Board has ruled that the strike constitutes an improper and coercive bargaining tactic, indicating that mediation efforts can be halted as long as the teachers remain on strike.
Governor Maura Healey emphasized the urgency of returning students to the classroom, stating, “It is unacceptable that school has been closed for more than a week in Marblehead, Gloucester, and Beverly. I’m urging both parties to reach an agreement as soon as possible for the benefit of our kids, families, educators, and staff.”