Teachers Union, School District Reach Agreement on Salary Concessions

On Monday, March 15, 2010, members of the Amherst-Pelham Education Association voted to ratify an agreement that will reduce the projected increase in teachers' salaries for fiscal year 2011. As outlined in the agreement, the salary concessions will take the form of three furlough days over the school year. Teachers will not report for work on the Curriculum/Work Days that have traditionally occurred in December, January, and March.  These days will remain in the school calendar as days off for students, but all school buildings will be closed and teachers will not be paid for any work they do on those days.

The ratified agreement is contingent upon Amherst voters approving a Proposition 2 1/2 override on Tuesday, March 23.  If the override passes, individual teachers will give up about $1,000 on average, resulting in total savings of approximately $350,000 to the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts. The agreement stipulates that these savings "will be used exclusively to preserve staffing in each of the school districts."  APEA President Tim Sheehan stated that the teachers "see the severity of this problem and are willing to make a personal sacrifice in a spirit of collaboration."  Sheehan pointed out that classroom staff members are in a unique position to recognize the effect of budget cuts because they work directly with students.

Interim Superintendent Maria Geryk expressed her appreciation to the teachers, stating "This is just another example of the teachers' commitment to what's best for the district, even when it means that it comes at a personal cost to them."

Farshid Hajir, Regional School Committee Chair, issued this statement in response to the ratification: "The Yes vote by the Teachers' Union this afternoon has demonstrated the teachers' willingness to do their part in helping the School Committees balance budgets as we struggle to absorb unprecedented levels of cuts to state aid for schools.  On behalf of the people of the four member towns, we deeply appreciate this significant action by the dedicated professionals who teach our kids every day."