Contract Talks Break Down at Blue Hills Regional High School

The following is a press release from Linda Ferrari, coordinator
Massachusetts Teachers Association:

Negotiations between the Blue Hills School Committee and teachers have been ongoing for over 16 months.  The School Committee and teachers remain far apart on every major issue.  

The teachers voted unanimously to set June 12 as a deadline for a settlement.

As the deadline approaches, teachers have received an outpouring of support from parents, alumni and residents of the nine feeder communities.  Parents, alumni and residents have been e-mailing school committee members urging them to end the bitter dispute with the teachers.

One parent e-mailed the School Committee urging them to settle a contract: “As a parent and former student whose family has benefited tremendously from a Blue Hills' education, I urge each and every one of you to settle the contract and support the hard work and dedication that these individuals provide on a daily basis to the students of Blue Hills' and to the alumni that continually seek advice and knowledge from them as they progress in life.”

The Boston Globe reported yesterday that the Blue Hills Regional School District has over $850,000 in free cash. 

Last night, a scheduled negotiation session ended abruptly after the school committee rejected the teachers’ offer of compromise and then refused to make a counter-offer. 

A state-appointed mediator offered to meet with the parties on Saturday, June 9 at 10am.  The teachers agreed to the date and time.  The school committee has not agreed to the meeting.