Editor, Townsman:
This past week has been one of reflection and anticipation, and for Andover Public Schools, 2012 seems fraught with uncertainty. Just before the holiday, teachers attempted once again to meet with the School Committee and the superintendent to come to a contract resolution. It would have been a wonderful gift to all of the community - parents, children, administrators, teachers (even the Finance Committee) - to get this record-breaking contract debacle settled. But it was not to be.
Teachers continue to hold out hope that advocates will step forward to promote increased investment in schools in order to stop the hemoraging this system has seen over the past several years. The cuts we've seen have led to increased class sizes, reduced programming at all levels, suffering infrastructure, a decrease in basic supplies and overall low morale throughout the system. The last proposal from the School Committee, which looks an awful lot like the first proposal from the School Committee, promises more of the same.
As a result, beginning Jan. 3 teachers became engaged in a work action known as "work to rule." This is a difficult and drastic step meant to increase awareness and demonstrate to the community just how far beyond the contract teachers work on a daily basis. The contract is just the foundation on which we build education. Layered on top of the contract is good will, imagination and a lot of volunteerism. We have been donating all of these for two years hoping that this School Committee would find its way toward reasonable compromise on difficult issues. Teachers have made many compromises on very painful issues, but we will not abandon a sound educational work environment for the sake of a budget gap and we don't believe Andover would really want us to if they understood what was at stake.
To that end, the Andover Education Association will be sponsoring a series of "Coffee and Conversation" events to foster dialog with parents and residents. Please contact the AEA by calling 978-623-8654 if you are interested in attending or hosting one of these living room events.
And as we embark on the year 2012, please help us to envision the exceptional school system we know Andover can be and demand the advocacy this system deserves from your School Committee.
Jennifer Meagher
Amesbury
English Department
Andover High School
