By Meghan McPhillips-Jones

Over 80 members of the Lunenburg Public School System told the School Committee that they had “No Confidence” in them last Wednesday.

    Mary Foyle, President of the Lunenburg Education Association [LEA], said on behalf of her colleagues; “I, and the executive board of the LEA, stand before you representing classroom teachers, guidance counselors, nurses, librarians, and specialists.  The number of us gathered in this room speaks to how disappointed and disheartened we are with the current working and contract conditions.”

    Of the 137 Lunenburg Public School members in the teaching union, over 90 percent signed a “No Confidence” agreement against the school committee.

    Wednesday’s show of frustration from the faculty came as a result of many aspects of the teacher’s contracts  beingcompromised in the past year. According to the LEA these issues include “failing to bargain in good faith, not requesting an override for the 2011-2012 school year [budget], reducing the number of direct-service education positions, and for not fostering an environment of collegiality and professionalism, resulting in a demoralized and dispirited staff.”

    The LEA filed a “prohibited practice” charge with the Massachusetts Division of Labor Relations, accusing the Lunenburg School Committee of failing to bargain in good faith. The DLR is currently reviewing the charge and is expected to issue a finding soon.
    “We are saddened that the school committee has allowed negotiations to go down this road,” said Foyle.

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