Hartford, Conn. (WTIC) - Dozens of teachers, parents, and administrators filled the auditorium of Bulkeley High School for Tuesday's Hartford Board of Education meeting.
The major topic of discussion focused on the proposed contract for Hartford teachers, which includes a two-year pay freeze, reduction in sick days and changes to healthcare. During the public comment section of the meeting, teachers overwhelmingly voiced their concerns and displeasure with the proposal. Some cited issues with retention while others talked about financial stability and the strains of making 'ends meet' on the current salary structure.
Some teachers mentioned the lack of pay increase despite years - and in some cases - decades of teaching in the system. A few parents in attendance also voiced concerns over the new contract, mentioning the stress of students trying to learn in an environment with a large turnover rate for teachers.
After taking public comment, Craig Stallings - Chairman of the Board - mentioned that there was some misinformation about what the Board knows and what they can actually do in regards to the contract since negotiations are currently in binding arbitration. He even mentioned that most of the details in the latest proposal were not known to the Board until the day of the meeting.
"We (the Board) had no idea about what's being proposed in the contract and what was being offered in the contract and it's not for us to know," said Stallings. "So we don't get that information until after you negotiate, after the union presents to membership and after the membership ratifies the contract - that's when we get it. So there is some confusion about what our responsibility is and what our responsibility is not, so hopefully we can clarify that."
Stallings also directly addressed the teachers in attendance, thanking them for their tireless work and for their concerns over the contract and school system in general.
"We support you and we will always support you," Stallings said. "We realize the business of education is difficult and can be perceived as heartless, but there is no school system without you, there is no us without you, there are no students without you and we recognize that."
He added the Board is working to correct a number of things that have been broken in the school system for some time.
The superintendent of schools also stated negotiations are continuing in good faith and that conversations have been productive.
Moving forward with binding arbitration, an impartial arbitrator will work with all involved parties to eventually resolve the conflict.