Andover teachers entered "work to rule" on Tuesday, meaning many teachers will only perform work required of them by contract. Some may choose to no longer do the "extras" such as extended hours of extra help, writing student recommendations or chaperoning after-school activities.
The move is one sign that Andover may go well into 2012 before a new contract is signed by the Andover School Committee and the Andover Education Association. The committee and the teachers union seem to still be far apart on a new contract. The School Committee is focused on creating a more sustainable contract, primarily through altering the number of classes taught by Andover High School teachers. It says the work loads it seeks are in line with those performed by teachers in the communities to which Andover compares itself. The teachers union wants to prevent educational cuts or a significant increase in workload for high school teachers, which it believes will negatively affect the education offered to Andover students.
Until this issue and any others are hashed out, it appears students of all ages will continue to see their teachers carrying picket signs.
But Peter Otis, AEA second vice president and High Plain Elementary teacher, made an interesting comment during a meeting with the Townsman on Tuesday. He said he hopes that when the dust settles and a contract is signed, the School Committee and Andover educators will become involved with team building. "When and if a contract is settled - and I can't tell you when that's going to happen - I would strongly urge the School Committee, the leadership team and the AEA to enter into some serious team building, because part of the issue here has been trust, lack of transparency, communication breakdowns."
Talking about what to do after a contract is signed may seem senseless at this point, with the two sides seemingly so at odds. But Otis makes a good point. Both sides are, or should be, in the business of creating the best possible education system for Andover children. They do need to be a team outside the mediation room. For now, as the two sides continue with mediation, we hope all involved remember this, and avoid making comments or taking action that will make the disagreements seem personal.
Most teachers get into the business because they care about children and want the best for them. School Committee members essentially are volunteers looking to do the best they can for their fellow citizens. Even before they became committee members, these parents were working or volunteering in town to benefit Andover children and the town's schools. As examples, Annie Gilbert supported the system by raising money for the Andover Coalition for Education, Paula Colby-Clements' was president of the Andona Society that puts on ClownTown to raise money for local youth charities, and Dick Collins worked for decades as a teacher and coach at Andover High.
Often when contract battles end, each side retreats to its corner, and there may be little effort at team building. We hope the sides can come together at the end to repair any wounds. More importantly for the immediate future, we hope both sides stick to arguing about the issues and keep personal feelings or attacks out of the process. That will make any future team-building that much easier.
