Editor, Townsman:
Andover teachers, please stop the "work to rule," and reconsider accepting the possibility of teaching six classes per year at Andover High.
The "work to rule" action damages students' education even if teachers work all required hours, because it is a distraction to the students, adversely impacts teacher and student morale, and restricts and limits the teachers' class preparation.
The "work to rule" also damages the union's credibility because it demonstrates that the teachers are more concerned about limiting their workload than they are with the students'interests. The action is another in a series of events that causes residents to question the union's motives. For example, an October mailing emphasized Andover's high-quality schools and recent accomplishments and stated, "a fair contract is not optional," but did not address any specifics or explain the teachers' position, nor did it even attempt to justify why a contract is better for our students or town. People should always be suspicious of emotional arguments that emphasize truths with which we all agree, but which avoid addressing the actual issues.
On back to school night, many teachers stood in silent protest rather than taking this time to interact with parents, in a manner which was intimidating to some parents. Subsequently we learned that the real goal of the union is to limit teacher workload. Then the union invoked "work to rule" to the detriment of our children. It would be in the union's best interest to turn around this type of behavior, and show the town the teachers have the students' interest in mind by immediately stopping the "work to rule."
I hope teachers will reconsider accepting that AHS teachers might teach six classes per year. That is not an unreasonable workload, particularly in an economy in which many would enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to be paid to teach six classes per year in Andover. It is not a threat in any way to the quality of Andover's schools, as stated by the union. To the contrary, it would be an improvement in quality by providing for more direct interaction between our fine teachers and our students.
Douglas C. Doskocil
9 Lancaster Place
