Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Teacher Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Teachers tell Brandywine board stalled contract is driving departures, ask for action
Summary
Multiple Brandywine educators used the public-comment period to say the district has not fulfilled referendum promises and that teachers are working without a current contract, citing pay and planning-time concerns and recent staff departures.
Several Brandywine School District teachers urged the Board of Education during public comment to finalize a new contract, saying delayed negotiations and unmet referendum promises are harming teacher retention and working conditions.
The most direct appeal came from Shannon DiFrancesco, a longtime BSD teacher, who said teachers are allotted "less than 4 hours per week planning time" and described grading demands that amount to "20 plus hours per week" of unpaid work. "Why would anyone want to work an additional 20 plus hours per week for free?" she asked the board.
Michelle Deck, a Springer Middle School teacher of 19 years, made a similar plea on behalf of the Brandywine Education Association, saying the absence of a contract shows "a lack of respect for the time, energy, and passion that my colleagues and I have demonstrated." She said the district must adopt an agreement that "protects the working conditions of our teachers and thereby the learning conditions of our students." Deck urged the board to finalize a contract that will help retain teachers through competitive compensation.
Gary Hall, a science teacher at PS DuPont Middle School who commutes from Dover, said that prolonged delay in negotiations has left teachers feeling "unsupported and undervalued" and urged the board to "act swiftly to finalize a contract that fairly compensates teachers, addresses working conditions and provides the support necessary" for student success.
Adrienne Brunlinger, a Forward Elementary art teacher and past president of the Delaware Art Education Association, cited award and staffing data for BSD art educators and asserted that several highly qualified teachers have left the district. "Seeing highly qualified teachers leaving our district ... the DAEA recognizes masterful, unique, strong educators throughout the state of Delaware. The community spoke by passage of the referendum that they would like quality teachers. Why isn't BSD supporting the community?" she asked.
PS DuPont teacher Evie Weisberg said she moved to BSD because of the district's reputation and local ties but warned that neighboring districts' salary offers—"something like $3,000 or $6,000 pay increase" in coming years, she said—are drawing candidates away. "We're not just saying this ... We are actually really concerned," she said.
The board did not take formal action during the public-comment period. Board members moved on to scheduled agenda business after the public-comment segment concluded.
