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Teachers, parents and union leaders urge Holyoke School Committee to settle contract and rethink licensure-linked pay
Summary
Dozens of public commenters at the April 27 Holyoke School Committee meeting urged the district to settle an expired teachers' contract, increase pay and avoid tying compensation solely to state licensure requirements that they say disadvantage bilingual educators.
Dozens of parents, teachers and union representatives used the meeting’s public comment period to press the Holyoke School Committee to resolve a contract that has been expired for more than 300 days and to revise compensation policies that tie pay too tightly to state licensure tests.
"We are here because educators have gone unheard for over 300 days after their last contract expired," said Kyle Chambers, a parent and education advocate. Multiple speakers described high staff turnover—one commenter said roughly 30% of staff leave for neighboring districts—and urged pay and working conditions that…
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