Teachers, teaching assistants tell Middle Country board 135 days without contract is unsustainable
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Summary
Five community speakers, including teachers and teaching assistants, told the board that negotiations have stalled and that staff have been working 135 days without a contract; speakers called for urgency, transparency and fair compensation to retain staff.
Five speakers used the public-input portion of the meeting to urge the Board of Education and central administration to resume contract negotiations with urgency after an extended period without a contract.
Nadia Reznikov opened public comment saying, "Today marks 135 days without a contract, 135 days of uncertainty," and described the effect on morale, pay and trust. Several other speakers who identified themselves as current district teachers or teaching assistants — including a self‑identified MCTA member (identified in the transcript as Laura Indelicado/Lauren Delicado), Carrie Keenan, Dean Malali (transcript variance: 'Dana Malawi'), and Heather Hanick — recounted working multiple jobs or long hours to make ends meet and asked the board to negotiate a fair and equitable contract.
The speakers framed their appeals in terms of student impact and district stability: they said fair wages and manageable workloads keep experienced educators in classrooms and benefit students. No board response was recorded during the public-input segment; Miss Larkin reminded speakers that the board does not respond in meeting to public input and that follow-up would be provided directly or at a future meeting when appropriate.
The transcript records the content and tone of multiple requests but does not show any board motion or timetable to restart negotiations within the meeting record.