Union President: 'Chair's Apology Redirects Responsibility'

ANDOVER, MA — The Andover Education Association president said the School Committee chair's apology for her comments at a grievance hearing last week "redirects responsibility."

Andover School Committee Chair Susan McCready apologized at the beginning of the School Committee meeting Thursday for telling teachers at a grievance hearing, "If you don't like working here, then please leave."

The committee chair did not dispute the quote, shared on social media by the union, but said it was taken out of context.

"At a time when employers across the country are making extra efforts to attract and retain quality employees, and Andover teachers have gone tremendously beyond the call of duty during a historic pandemic, the School Committee's response to a legitimate contractual grievance is breathtaking," Andover Education Association President Matthew Bach said. "The Committee Chair's apology redirects responsibility away from her disrespectful comments and characterizes teachers exercising their contractual right to grieve a violation or reinterpretation of their working conditions as an attack. "

McCready's comments were made during a grievance hearing Tuesday regarding work done after the school day, according to a Facebook post by the union.

"They presented a legitimate contract violation grievance before the school committee Tuesday asking the Committee to respect and trust the discretion teachers have in how they spend their time after the conclusion of the school day, and this was the response," the union said. "'No one is asking you to stay here. If you don't like working here, then please leave. Please go.'"

"I should have chosen my words more carefully, and the quote circulating does not reflect my respect and admiration for Andover’s hard-working educators," the School Committee chair said. "The meeting was emotionally charged, and I felt personally attacked. Teacher availability to students outside the instructional day is important."

The remainder of the chair's statement is available below.

"Teachers in Andover volunteer countless hours outside of the contractual workday to research, grade papers, conference with parents, answer emails, and provide extra help- not to mention supervising many of our extracurricular clubs, arts, and sports activities," Bach said. "It's the employer's duty to hear grievances and the testimony of AEA members. The many teachers who offered testimony and thoughtful remedies did not deserve to be told they are not needed in Andover Public Schools."

McCready's statement continued:

I was on the bargaining team that worked hard with the union to define specific before- and after-school contractual minutes when we negotiated the extended student learning day several years ago. It hit an emotional chord with me to hear some teachers in the hearing say those 10 minutes before and 30 minutes after bell time should be optional, and that being reminded of these contractual obligations was so demoralizing that they might begin looking for jobs in other districts.

"My comments were a reaction to that. I work hard to make a positive difference in our community and for our students. It is difficult to be accused of not caring about teachers when I have worked for almost seven years on the Committee and a number of years before that to advocate for and support our schools. This was not a blanket statement about Andover’s educators by any means, quite the opposite. I was frustrated with a few AEA representatives based on the angry accusations they were making against my colleagues and me combined with recent distasteful actions that moved beyond the bargaining table to our neighborhoods and families.

"It is upsetting that we do not have a more collaborative relationship with the AEA, and that even commonplace matters escalate through grievance hearings on a far too frequent basis. I know my comments did nothing to help move us toward mutual respect, and for that I apologize to you, my colleagues, to the administration, and most importantly to the many wonderful educators in this district, some of whom were in that hearing, who may have thought this was directed at them.

"I truly value you, and you along with our students, is why I serve on this Committee.

"I hope knowing the context of my comments brings some understanding, and I look forward to working with the AEA to improve our relationship going forward."

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