North Shore Special Education Teachers Rally Ahead Of Contract Talks

BEVERLY, MA — Special education teachers across six North Shore schools held rallies and collective "walk-ins" on Thursday at the outset of contract negotiations they hope will result in "a more collaborative decision-making process between stakeholders to ensure a brighter future for students, families, and their dedicated teachers and paraprofessionals."

The Northshore Education Consortium Employees Federation (NECEF) Local 4293 began contract talks with the NEC's Board of Directors on a new collective bargaining agreement for the nearly 300 teachers and instructional aides they represent.

The union said many NEC educators are currently paid below a living wage.

The union said NECEF educators work with the region's most vulnerable students and remain dedicated to ensuring their right to a free and equal education is protected. With six schools serving nearly 500 students, the NEC is the largest provider of special education programs for children with

emotional, behavioral, and developmental disabilities on the North Shore.

"There is no question that the challenges facing our schools and public education in general will disproportionately impact the most vulnerable students and those with the highest needs — and those are the students we serve," said NECEF President and Recovery High School teacher Jake Zeigler. "Across all six schools, our educators work to ensure these students have access to the services and support they need to achieve social and educational success.

"We are all dedicated to safeguarding the rights and needs of our students and remain steadfast in our commitment to making sure the voices and concerns of our students, their families, and our educators are heard and prioritized in the decision making process."

Educators conducted "walk-ins" at the Kevin O’Grady School, the Northshore Academy Upper School, the Northshore Academy Lower School, and the SOAR/EMBARK Programs, while educators at Recovery High School and Topsfield Vocational Academy held afternoon rallies.

Sending districts include: Beverly, Danvers, Gloucester, Hamilton-Wenham, Ipswich, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester/Essex, Marblehead, Masconomet Regional, Nahant, North Reading, Peabody, Pentucket Regional, Reading, Rockport, Salem, Swampscott, Tri-Town School Union, and Triton Regional.

"Each and every day, our paraprofessionals go above and beyond for their students, but most of us don't make a living wage," said Ketty Thebaud, Vice President of the NEC Paraprofessionals and an Instructional Assistant at the Kevin O’Grady School. "We're forced to choose between a job we love where we can support students in need and making ends meet. Paras shouldn't be forced to work multiple jobs just to put food on the table.

"We truly care for these kids and are invested in providing them the support to reach their full potential. We wouldn't want it any other way. We hope that, moving forward, we will be seen and recognized for our value and provided with a living wage and benefits that accurately reflect the role we play in the success of our students."

The collective bargaining agreements covering NECEF members are slated to expire on Aug. 31.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)