NTA Convocation Boycott Constitutes Illegal Strike, but Silent Meetings Are Permitted. On September 26, the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board (“CERB”) issued a ruling in response to the School Committee’s September 5 petition to the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations regarding recent actions by the Newton Teachers Association. The 45-page ruling…
Posts published by “Adam Bernstein”
Additional Post-Hearing Filing Submitted by School Committee on September 12 Despite expectations of both the School Committee and the Newton Teachers Association of a faster state ruling on the School Committee’s September 5th petition for the NTA to cease-and-desist “Work-to-Rule” activities, as of this writing, no determination has been made.…
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…
Much has been written and communicated with Newton residents about the financial and political events surrounding the current contract negotiation between the School Committee and Newton Teachers Association (NTA). While privately employed individuals generally experience behind closed doors the victories, losses, and emotions of their compensation negotiations, public union employees…
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…
In the past week, both the Newton Teachers Association (NTA) and the School Committee have released public statements regarding the status of negotiations for a new contract to replace the existing one, which expires on August 31. The School Committee has stated the two sides are at an impasse, and…
School may be out, but several issues of concern to NPS parents remain top-of-mind for educators, parents, and administrators. NTA contract negotiations, lunch pricing, and Ward/Underwood planning remain unresolved. Contract Negotiations As previously covered by Fig City News, the current contract with the Newton Teachers Association expires on August 31.…
New Newton Public Schools Superintendent Anna Nolin has sent a memorandum to the School Committee recommending that the Underwood and Ward Task Force be “concluded” without issuing further guidance to the community about the future of the two schools. During the June 12 School Committee meeting, the Task Force issued…
The School Committee met on Tuesday June 20 for its last meeting of the 2022-2023 academic year. The meeting began with public commenters continuing to address the budget cut of the Understanding Our Differences program and the City’s negotiations with the Newton Teachers Association. The agenda began with a warm…
Rajeev Parlikar (Ward 1) expresses displeasure with quality of NPS Special Education The June 12 School Committee meeting contained a busy agenda, including discussion regarding school lunches, the future of Ward and Underwood elementary schools, a presentation from the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, and a review of the 2022-2023…