Gov. Baker Urges Woburn to 'Keep Kids First'

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The ongoing contract negotiations between Woburn’s teachers and city officials has caught the attention of many. The strife has robbed students of many needed services, especially graduating seniors. And now, Massachusetts’ highest ranking official is speaking out on the issue.

Governor Charlie Baker made it a point to touch on the failed contract talks Thursday during a speech in Boston.

“I hope the adults remember this is supposed to be about the kids and not about the adults,” Baker said. “The adults can disagree, but in the end, we need to figure out a way to keep kids first.”

The Woburn Teachers Association enacted a work-to-rule policy back in May - a tactic in which workers do the minimum required under their contract. The policy put a limit on how long teachers could stay after school to assist students.

Earlier this week, school officials reached an agreement with the teachers association, allowing teachers time during the school day to write college recommendation letters for graduating seniors. The decision comes as many college application deadlines loom.

The work-to-rule decision was enacted in an effort to place emphasis on how frequently teachers go the extra mile in order to assist students. That’s according to a statement made by Barbara Lock, co-president of the Woburn Teachers Association, to the Boston Herald.

“We just hope that we can come to an agreement and get this behind us and realize that the most important thing is the children,” Locke told the newspaper.

Woburn Mayor Scott Galvin previously took to social media saying the teachers have been offered a “very fair” contract, but that they have “refused” to accept it. That contract reportedly includes a 10.5-percent pay raise.

“By not settling, it is hurting the students and hurting how Woburn looks academically,” members of the 2016 graduating class said in a letter.