How many NPS educators will attend Wednesday’s annual Welcome Back convocation for teachers hosted by NPS? It’s a question many raised this week.
For background, last week on August 22, the School Committee notified the NPS community that the state had appointed a mediator, per the request of the School Committee’s negotiating team, to assist in resolving the “impasse” that NPS sees between the two sides’ positions on salary raises for the next three NPS budget cycles. Notably, the email from the School Committee stated, “Now that the mediation process has begun, we expect the school year to begin on time on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.” However, the NTA, at least publicly, has for months made it clear it is not considering voting to strike despite the lack of contract resolution.
On the same day, Superintendent Anna Nolin sent a lengthy Welcome Back email to NPS staff, summarized in Fig City News. The email conveyed Dr. Nolin’s plan for this year’s annual NPS educator “convocation” — a gathering of all NPS educators on Wednesday, August 30 at Newton South High School’s fieldhouse. Dr. Nolin has arranged for several speakers to address the achievements of NPS teachers, including students, parents, and the Massachusetts Secretary of Education, Patrick Tutwiler. This marks a contrast from last year’s speakers, who were primarily local politicians.
Dr. Nolin also noted in her email that educators’ attendance is “expected” since the event occurs on a contracted workday.
On August 25, NTA President Michael Zilles wrote a detailed note to union membership, seemingly in response to Dr. Nolin’s August 22 email, delineating what may and may not be considered a permitted contract action versus an illegal work stoppage. Mr. Zilles presented scenarios whereby the School Committee might respond to what the NTA feels are permitted actions, such as silent meetings, with claims that those actions in fact constitute illegal striking.
Mr. Zilles encouraged union members to attend the August 30 convocation, however to use the event as an opportunity to advocate for a new contract, and he suggested that members not attend the 7:45AM breakfast that NPS scheduled prior to the 8:30AM convocation, but instead conduct an outdoor protest during that time. The August 25 NTA memo exhibited a more strident tone toward Dr. Nolin than in previous NTA communications as recently as July 18, which had acknowledged that Dr. Nolin had inherited the current contract situation from her predecessors.
On August 28, the NTA reiterated its plan to ask educators to rally outside Newton South High School at 7:45AM prior to the convocation event. However, in a revised communication sent at 3:59PM on August 29, the day before the convocation, the NTA cancelled its planned 7:45AM rally at Newton South and advised members to directly disregard the Superintendent’s “expectation” they attend the convocation. Instead, the NTA suggested to its members to “please report to your regular buildings, classrooms, and offices, and continue preparing for the arrival of students on Tuesday, September 5.”
Two minutes later, at 4:01PM, Dr. Nolin sent another reminder to staff to attend the following day’s convocation. Following this activity, the School Committee convened an “Emergency Executive Session” at 9:00PM on the same night to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining. Executive sessions are closed to the public.
What are parents and residents to make of all this? It is clear the NTA is giving considerable attention not to appear to be engaging in anything that could be interpreted as a strike. Superintendent Nolin has given no indication of limiting her engagement with educators or slowing her plans for the district due to the current contract strife. Finally, the School Committee and City appear to be accomplishing their goals of sending the contract negotiation to mediation while not interrupting the start of the school year. Six days remain before the start of the school year, and Fig City News will continue its coverage of the NPS labor situation.
