Swampscott School Committee Delays Vote On Teachers' Contract

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A year-long dispute between school administrators and the union that represents Swampscott teachers was "moments away" from coming to an end at the May 13 school committee meeting when the school board voted to delay final approval of the three-year contract until its May 27 meeting.

The two sides struck a tentative deal on April 30 and the Swampscott Education Association, the union that represents teachers, ratified the pact on May 8. School officials said the committee decided to delay the vote to update the town administrator and bargaining committee and to assess the impact of the coronavirus crisis on town and school finances.

"The School Committee’s decision to delay the vote caused much anxiety and disappointment among our members," the union's bargaining committee said in a statement. "We need to move on to the essential work of successfully closing our current school year and planning for what school will look like in the fall."

Swampscott teachers have been working without a contract for nearly a year, and the negotiations have been contentious at times. In November, the school department broke off talks when the union arrived at a negotiation session with 40 more members than expected. The union accused the school system of overreacting when it threatened to file for mediation.

In November, SEA president Nancy Hanlon was suspended from her teaching position for unspecified reasons. The union claimed the suspension was retaliation for her role in the contract talks. Superintendent Pamela Angelakis denied the allegation.

Talks resumed in January with what both sides said were "productive" bargaining sessions.