Merrimack Valley Unions Vote No Confidence In MA Education Chief

ANDOVER, MA — More than 100 Massachusetts teacher unions, including a number in the Merrimack Valley, voted "no confidence" in the performance of the state's top education official amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Teachers unions in Andover, North Andover, Tewksbury, Westford and Wilmington were among 104 teachers unions and three non-union education groups to sign a petition expressing concern with state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley's "lack of leadership."

The declaration of no confidence accused Riley of making changes to reopening policies without consulting unions or school districts, a statement from the Massachusetts Teachers Association said Tuesday. Both Riley and Gov. Charlie Baker have repeatedly said widespread COVID-19 transmission is not occurring in in-person school settings, but union officials argued the science says otherwise.

"The Commissioner and DESE continue to ignore the ever-growing body of scientific evidence showing the direct correlation between in-person learning and increased transmission rates of COVID-19," the petition read.

According to union officials, there isn't enough data to back up Baker and state education officials' claims that wide scale COVID-19 transmission isn't occurring in in-person classes.

"There are a few wealthy districts, including Wellesley, that have implemented frequent surveillance testing so they can identify asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 and limit transmission in schools," said Malden Education Association President Deb Gesualdo in a statement.

Gesualdo added that programs like the one being implemented in Wellesley should be available across the state regardless of income, and suggested that money could be freed up by canceling the years MCAS

Officials with the Massachusetts Teachers Association said three union presidents testified before DESE Tuesday to request changes they say are necessary to ensure the safety of teachers, student and faculty.

Anthony Parolisi, president of the Haverhill Education Association, was one of the union officials to testify. He said state education officials need to consult with educators and unions before making major changes to school reopening policy.

The major change he cited was the Nov. 6 announcement that the state changed its transmission risk metrics, which reduced the number of cities and towns considered "high risk" for coronavirus spread.

"Since our working conditions are the students' learning conditions, we as educators have a responsibility to ensure that our schools are safe," union officials said in a statement. "Until Commissioner Riley and DESE decide to listen more carefully and inclusively to health experts and educators from across the state, we will continue to fight for the schools our communities deserve."

Many area districts have been forced recently to make changes to in-person learning because of the rise of coronavirus cases in town, with some schools in North Andover and Andover going remote recently.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.