In the week leading up to the July 25 School Committee meeting, the School Committee’s negotiations subcommittee ended direct negotiations with the Newton Teachers Association for a new collective bargaining agreement to follow the expiry of the current contract on August 31. The School Committee filed with the state for a mediation process to finalize a new agreement. Both the School Committee and the NTA issued competing public statements regarding the mediation filing.
Following this, the School Committee’s collective bargaining team issued a memo summarizing the negotiation status, citing both areas of “tentative agreement” as well as the primary area of disagreement: salary increases for educators. The memo contained tables illustrating compensation in Newton versus neighboring school districts, as well as a description of certain “Threatened Work Stoppages,” a discussion of their legality, and their possible impact on the 2023-2024 school year. At the July 25 meeting, School Committee Chair and negotiations subcommittee member Tamika Olszewski (Ward 4) presented many of the memo’s points, reiterated the fiscal constraint of 3.5% per year total growth in NPS budgets for the foreseeable future, and cited both the School Committee’s hope to achieve a new contract as well as the Committee’s responsibility to plan for all scenarios (NewTV’s video of the July 25 meeting).
The City’s Chief Financial Officer Maureen Lemiuex stated to Fig City News via the City’s communication officer that the 3.5% budget growth guidance is per Newton’s most recent 5-year financial forecast, published in October 2022. Section 4.1 addresses NPS enrollment, budget, and facilities planning, and states “This forecast has been developed with the assumption of a 3.50% annual increase in the NPS budget for fiscal years FY2024 through FY2033 Budgets, as well as an additional $4.5 million each year assuming the Mayor’s proposed override passes.” In response to Fig City News‘ follow up question regarding how the 3.5% growth forecast reconciles with Proposition 2.5 limitations, Ms. Lemieux replied:
“The total increase in Property Taxes each year is comprised of a combination of two factors. Based on Proposition 2½, taxes from existing properties may only be increased in aggregate by 2.5% across Newton. This amount combined with the property tax revenue generated each year from ‘New Growth or Redevelopment,’ becomes the total allowed property tax increase.”
According to the City’s FY 2023 Budget, total property taxes comprised 85.5% of the City’s revenue, with the same percentage forecast for FY 2024. State Chapter 70 School Aid is the City’s next-largest revenue source, followed by motor vehicle excise taxes.
Following the July 25 meeting and memorandum, the Newton Teachers Association issued several detailed communications to educators and the community, beginning on July 29 via NTA President Michael Zilles. Regarding areas of “tentative agreement,” the NTA reviewed the School Committee’s specific list of items, clarified the extent of progress from the union’s perspective, and noted the limited future budget allocated to such areas.
The NTA then addressed the compensation gap between the two sides. Mr. Zilles noted that the School Committee’s memo stated the sides were “deeply far apart” in both step increases and cost of living adjustments (COLA’s). However, he wrote that the only NTA request regarding step increases was to accelerate the annual date of increase from December to September, which he states will cost the district a total of $180,000 per month of timing change. He agreed that the COLA gap between the parties was large, and he also gave his view on the City’s 3.5% estimate for NPS budget growth, which he summarized to Fig City News by saying,”The City has consistently underestimated its revenue receipts, with the operating cash surplus that is known for the coming year being an example. Therefore, I disagree with the Mayor’s guidance that the City can only increase NPS’ budget allocation by 3.5% per year.” The operating cash surplus Mr. Zilles referred to is described on page 28 of the Mayor’s Budget Analysis for FY 2024.
The next day, the NTA issued a further detailed description of what “Threatened Work Stoppages” will or will not entail. This NTA message also addressed the legal questions surrounding work-to-rule raised by the School Committee memo and cited a recorded July 14th debate on that topic between School Committee and negotiations subcommittee member Paul Levy (Ward 6) and Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page. The NTA hypothesized that the School Committee may be preparing for a lockout of educators.
The NTA followed up the communication about work stoppages with an August 7th survey to educators asking their willingness to participate in certain work-to-rule actions. Unlike a private employer’s management directing the work of employees, the NTA leadership cannot impose adherence by their members to union leadership’s requested job actions.
From the extensive communications issued by the School Committee and the NTA, it is apparent that both parties perceive public opinion as an important factor in the negotiation, as well as in managing the perception of any impacts to the school year stemming from the process. While the School Committee is somewhat constrained in the volume and timing of information it releases due to executive session protocol, Mr. Zilles told Fig City News, “The NTA is committed to transparency, and since the negotiators have not voted to implement a ‘gag order’ or similar, we are free to provide any negotiation updates to the community.”
The School Committee has not yet shared any update regarding whether the mediation filing has been approved and will proceed. The next meeting of the School Committee’s negotiations subcommittee is scheduled for Thursday August 10, which is a closed Executive session. Fig City News will continue providing coverage of the negotiations.
