Melrose Educators Hold March, Note Goals For New Contract: Photos

MELROSE, MA — Melrose educators marched with supporters on Thursday from Melrose High School to Melrose City Hall as they continue to work without a new contract just over two months after their prior teachers and paraprofessionals agreements with the district expired at the end of June.

Organizers described the event this week as a “march and rally for respect and a fair contract.”

Melrose educators were joined by community supporters as well as representatives of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, among others.

The Massachusetts Teachers Association said the event drew close to 200 educators.

The Melrose Education Association recently said that it is seeking "fair compensation for all educators, including a living wage for paraprofessionals." The union has additionally called for more planning time for educators and "reasonable schedules, class sizes and workload."

Writing earlier this week, School Committee Chair Jen McAndrew confirmed that negotiations with the Melrose Education Association had not yet yielded new contracts.

She said the district “look(s) forward to a comprehensive, fair agreement that prioritizes the needs of students, educators and the community."

"We believe this is fully achievable,” she said.