Wellesley Teachers Association, School Committee Working Toward Contract Agreement

Though the Wellesley Teachers Association has been trying to work with the School Committee to get a contract since the beginning of the year, an agreement has yet to be made.

Many Wellesley Teachers Association members showed up at the meeting Thursday in support.

“We have been working since the beginning of the year without a contract, and that’s unusual for Wellesley,” said president of Wellesley Teachers Association Jonathan Simon

The Association has been negotiating with the School Committee since March.

“At this point, it’s important the community understands that the teachers are concerned about it enough to have a presence at the School Committee meeting,” Simon said. He also noted that that though they do not have a contract, they will continue to provide students with the best education possible. “We are committed to what we do,” he said.

Simon said that teachers are expected to do a lot more to help the district with new core standards, assessments and state requirements.

“Our plates are getting fuller and fuller but nothing gets taken away,” Simon said.

The School Committee and superintendent say they are doing what they can to move the process along.

"The Wellesley School Committee and administration are committed to maintaining competitive salary levels that will allow us to recruit and retain the very best educators in our schools,” said superintendent David Lussier.

Lussier cited the strategic plan's second objective to invest in educators. The school set the goal of remaining in the top half of salary levels when compared to neighboring school districts.

According to Simon, however, the Wellesley Teacher’s Association are asking for “very, very modest increases.” He noted they are asking for a salary comparable to nearby towns.

Simon also noted that academic labs could be added to alleviate some of the workload on teachers.

“While we are all disappointed that we did not reach an agreement with the WTA on a successor contract, we believe we can build on the progress made to date and establish a new, multi-year agreement with the WTA," said superintendent David Lussier.