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Holyoke teachers urge responsiveness as mediation with district begins
Summary
Three Holyoke teachers told the school committee they are disappointed with bargaining leadership, cited low favorable survey responses and a no-confidence vote in the bargaining team, and urged collaborative engagement ahead of scheduled mediation.
Brandy Bellicico, a Holyoke teacher, told the March 9 school committee meeting she was “very disappointed” and said teachers were preparing to meet with the district’s bargaining team and a mediator on Thursday.
Peter Duffy, another district teacher, cited recent survey results and internal ballots that he said show staff dissatisfaction. Duffy said 28% of teachers responded favorably to district professional development, 31% said they felt they had input on important decisions, and a December vote showed “85% of teachers in Holyoke had no confidence in the bargaining team.” He urged the committee to listen and collaborate through mediation.
Christine Lafortune, a preschool teacher of 27 years who grew up in Holyoke, described reductions in seniority protections and prep time, noted long-serving colleagues leaving the district, and said that after nearly three decades she makes only about $7,000 more than a teacher with seven years in the district. She urged committee members to keep students’ needs and teacher capacity in mind when making decisions.
The committee did not take immediate action on the comments; the district and union were headed into mediation. The public comments occurred during the meeting’s public-comment period, when speakers are limited to two minutes.
What happens next: teachers and district representatives are scheduled to meet with a mediator later in the week; the committee did not announce a formal follow-up vote during the meeting.
