'Good For All Parties': Peabody Teachers Reach 4-Year Contract Agreement

PEABODY, MA — Less than a year after three North Shore school districts endured teachers' strikes that were among the longest work stoppages in state history — forcing the cancellation of February vacations, school on Saturdays, and extending the respective school years to the end of June — the Peabody Federation of Teachers and Peabody School Committee reached an agreement on a new four-year deal on the eve of the new school year before the expiration of the previous collective bargaining agreement.

Superintendent Josh Vadala called the deal "an inclusive and thoughtful contract that is good for all parties involved."

The deal calls for Peabody teachers to receive paid parental leave — a key sticking point in negotiations with neighboring districts last year — for the first time, as well as the ability to accrue sick leave.

Vadala said the teachers will receive a pay bump of between 4 and 10 percent in the first year of the deal, followed by three annual increases of 3 percent.

The contract also means an extension of the elementary school day in the district, with the teacher work day now beginning at 8:40 a.m. and the student day beginning at 8:50.

"I have been extremely impressed with the collaborative nature of negotiations," Vadala told Patch on Thursday. "The mayor, School Committee and teachers union work over the summer to reach an agreement. I'm proud to say that in my six years as superintendent we have never been one day without a contract.

"That is a true testament to the collaborative partnership between the Peabody Teachers Federation and the school committee. When we work together, everyone wins. Teachers win, families win and most of all students win."

(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.)