Pre‑K teachers urge district to honor contract on start and end‑of‑year schedules

Micah Orten, a pre‑K teacher at White Street, told the School Committee that the district moved the preschool start date earlier this year and that the change broke a recently ratified collective bargaining agreement. "Already this year, our contract has been broken when our start date was moved up," Orten said. He argued the unexpected change forced teachers to "scramble and play catch up" and undermined trust between educators and the district.

Orten said his request was simple: honor the existing contract language requiring a delayed start for preschool and a half day on the last day of school so teachers can safely close classrooms. "That time is not optional. It is absolutely necessary. It is not a matter of convenience. It is a matter of safety," he said, citing safety risks posed when teachers have to pack and clean while children remain present.

Maureen Saint George, a 20‑year preschool teacher at Boland Elementary and a member of the SEA bargaining team, said the bargaining team negotiated language specifying that preschool would begin the Monday after Labor Day and that the change would take effect immediately on ratification. "There was never talk at the table about starting this part of the contract in the next year," Saint George said. She asked the district to amend the calendar to reflect the contract and to honor the half‑day without preschool on the final day of school so teachers can close out classrooms safely.

Why it matters: Pre‑K classrooms serve young children, including those with disabilities and higher supervision needs; teachers told the committee that beginning classes earlier and not providing the agreed‑upon half day increases safety risks and workload. The speakers framed the request as asking for the "legal minimum" under the collective bargaining agreement, not additional compensation.

Discussion versus action: These remarks were presented during the public comment period; the transcript records no committee motion or vote in response. Committee members acknowledged the speakers and the bargaining context but did not record a formal decision at the meeting. The transcript shows the bargaining team and the district had negotiated the language and that teachers expected immediate implementation; the district did not present a calendar amendment during the meeting.

What comes next: Teachers asked the district to amend the calendar and to communicate changes to families; the transcript does not document a district commitment or timeline for doing so.