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Whittier Tech educators deliver unified public comments as contract negotiations continue
Summary
Multiple Whittier Tech teachers and staff addressed the school committee during public comment to describe unpaid labor, student supports and to urge the committee to consider those contributions in ongoing contract negotiations for Units A and B.
Educators and staff filled the committee’s public-comment period to highlight work beyond classroom duties and press the committee to factor those contributions into ongoing contract negotiations.
Elizabeth Dein, who identified herself as a member of the bargaining team, said the district recently began negotiations for Unit A and Unit B and described classroom supports she provides, including creating individualized plans, helping students with college applications and offering unpaid after‑school help. "Whittier Tech is lucky that I always put student learning first," she said.
Beverly Stickles, a medical assisting instructor, noted that she administers the NH exam for students and that many graduates go on to nursing school. "Whittier is lucky that I give them pens and pencils," Stickles said, listing in‑kind and mentoring supports staff provide.
Susanna Dearo, an English‑as‑a‑second‑language teacher, described voluntary after‑school activities she coordinates for students’ social and academic needs. Katherine Cashman, a design and visual communications instructor, and Cindy Yetman, a substitute teacher, each gave examples of extra duties they take on, from advising clubs to stepping in after a colleague fell ill.
Katie Stanton, an English teacher who identified herself as the local union president, summarized staff examples and urged the committee to consider "modern parental and family leave, fair compensation for all including living wages for the educational support professionals in Unit B, and improving our working conditions which are our students' learning conditions." Stanton invited committee members to visit classrooms and cited staff donations and volunteer time as evidence of that work.
The public commenters did not propose a specific contract term in the meeting record; they asked that the committee weigh these staff contributions and the bargaining team's requests as negotiations continue. The committee did not take a formal vote related to the contract during the meeting.
The committee moved on to regular business after public comment and incorporated the speakers’ remarks into the meeting record for consideration in future negotiation sessions.
