Ash-West Committee speaks on the record

On behalf of the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School Committee, we'd like to put some facts on the record regarding the ongoing negotiations with the teacher's union. Recent public comment and demonstrations by the union have served only to confuse the public. This diminishes the positive contributions of the teachers both individually and collectively.

The teachers' union would have the public believe that they are the only party in the negotiations that have made concessions during the course of our 13 months of negotiations. The plain fact is that both parties have made movement, and in fact all of the significant movement in the last several sessions was made by the School Committee. The School Committee's negotiating stance has been guided by three specific principles. First, that any contract must be fair to both parties. Second, that our offers to the teachers' union must be affordable. And third, that negotiations must be conducted professionally and courteously.

More specifically, the School Committee has been accused by the union of being unfair to the teachers. By our definition, fair means something that both parties can live with - not only what one party demands.

In terms of affordability, it is clear that we must live within our means. The district laid-off 32 people last year and has a potential shortfall in the 2008-2009 school budget. Simply put - we cannot spend what we don't have. Our offers to the union are fair and affordable in terms of the total three-year cost of the contract.

Finally, the conduct of the negotiations has been hugely problematic for the School Committee. Our experience in the 2003-04 negotiations was cooperative and positive. They were amicable and resulted in a balanced contract. Neither side got 100 percent of what they wanted, but both sides agreed that we could live with what we had negotiated. Our experience this time around has been dramatically different.

It is important for the public to understand that the School Committee has been bullied, profaned and mocked by the union's Massachusetts Teacher's Association (MTA) representative. For the union to now accuse the School Committee of disrespect borders on the absurd. This is the sole reason that the School Committee requested mediation from the state. Our conclusion at mid-year 2007 was that we could not make progress without outside assistance.

This School Committee and administration have always supported the teachers. We have worked to assure that the public recognizes the contributions our teacher's make every day. We have consistently acknowledged the simple truth that education takes place in the classroom - between the teacher and the student. To have allowed their representative to bring the negotiations down to the level that they have is to disregard the excellent relationship we've had, and to toss aside the values that our communities prize so dearly.

The School Committee has never refused to meet face-to-face with the teachers. We have only refused to meet face-to-face with the union representative for the reasons already outlined. During mediation we have agreed on several occasions to meeting directly with the union - at the request of the union - only to have the union decide to abruptly stop, or to have them break the agreed upon conditions for the face-to-face sessions. State-sponsored mediation was a last resort for us.

In summary: • The School Committee has bargained in good faith for over 13 months.

• We have asked only for what we believe is vital to the survival of the school district. We purposely left out any "clutter" despite the tradition of union negotiations.

• Our offer is fair to both sides and in no way is it a step backwards for the teachers. It includes traditional acceleration in steps, longevity, stipends, etc. - all of which figure into teacher compensation.

• We are not eliminating health care benefits for teachers. We are asking for changes in the design of the health care plan that will keep it affordable for the school district and individual teachers.

• The School Committee has offered the most that the district can afford over the 3 year period of the contract. The School District and the towns must have an affordable solution.

Finally, the public must know that the union's informational picketing and "workto rule" demonstrations have had - however motivated - a detrimental effect on the students. The idea that this picketing and associated reduction in their in-school participation is beneficial to the public is disingenuous.

They have put the kids in the middle.

The School Committee has, on more than one occasion offered to release it's initial and current proposals to the public if the union would do the same. This would best serve the public interest and allow both sides to openly register their concerns. It would more fully inform the very people that will eventually shoulder the financial burden of this contract.

The teachers' union should join the School Committee in allowing the negotiations process to move to a more professional footing. They should also join us in making sure we insulate the children from the sometimes complicated affairs of adults. The union should help its members by moving them toward a realistic and sustainable relationship with the school district. It's time to shift substance ahead of tactics. We can all accept realism without surrendering ideals.

We agree that we have outstanding teachers in our classrooms. The current situation in no way diminishes their contributions. We recognize additional hours and personal expense that many teachers voluntarily contribute. That recognition goes hand-in-in hand, with an acknowledgement that our teachers also expect and deserve to be treated as professionals, and that we do not require them to punch a clock. The public must not lose sight of these facts - good teachers equal high student achievement - plain and simple.

The School Committee is elected to act as trustees for public education in our towns, and to act in the best interests of our children. Our public trust requires that we be forward-looking and sensible. We remain committed to reaching a realistic, affordable and sustainable contract with the teachers - one that is fair to both parties.