Fair Teacher Negotiations: Addressing Class Sizes and Compensation

Editor’s Note: The following is an open letter to the community from The Belmont Education Association (our teacher’s union) concerning the causes of the current “impasse” in contract negotiations with the School Committee.

---

Dear Belmont Community Members,

This is not an easy letter for us to write. Every one of us entered the teaching profession for the same reason: to make a difference in kids’ lives. Our commitment to our students doesn’t stop when the last bell rings. As many of you know, we arrive early to meet with students, stay late to support struggling learners, spend many hours lesson planning and answering urgent emails from parents and students well into the evenings and weekends. We don’t do these things because they are required line items in our contracts; they’re not. We do them because that’s what it means to be a teacher.

From the beginning, our three priorities for negotiations have been addressing class sizes/caseloads, increasing collaboration time, and fair compensation. To this point, the School Committee has rejected every BEA proposal regarding class sizes/caseloads and collaboration time and has offered not a single counter proposal to address these concerns. That is not compromise; that is ignoring what we need to create a healthy, engaging atmosphere for your children to learn.

We fully understand that town officials must carefully budget and spend public funds. But understand that the current School Committee compensation proposal combined with their health insurance language would result in nearly every one of your children’s teachers earning less money—thousands of dollars less, in some cases—than under the prior contract. Importantly, in July, the town received an additional $340,000 in state aid specifically earmarked for schools, yet the town is planning to divert much of the funds away from schools to other town expenditures. Consider how you would react to an offer to make less money for the same work, all while knowing that your employer has committed necessary funds elsewhere.

During these last 11 months, the School Committee has repeatedly presented bargaining proposals that have contained errors, been incomplete, and contained inconsistencies. These issues have caused unnecessary delays and made the process longer and more discouraging than it needs to be. Our decision to reject the committee’s most recent proposal is not about creating delays—it is about fairness, respect, and ensuring that our schools can continue to attract and retain the excellent teachers your children deserve. Like you, we are frustrated that this process has taken so long.

We have, to this point, refrained from directly responding to the School Committee’s (SC) bargaining updates even though they have contained errors and omissions. However, their 9/26/25 update was so egregiously misleading that we feel we have no choice but to correct the record so that you have an accurate understanding of the barriers that exist at the bargaining table. (Quotes taken from SC update):

“Negotiations with Units B (Assistant Principals, Directors), C, and D will not resume until October 22 due to the scheduling changes requested by the Union.” 

The SC asked for no less than 10 days between bargaining sessions. Their attorney is not available on our regular bargaining date of 10/1. We are meeting to bargain three times in October (accommodating the request of the SC to have more time between sessions.)

“In prior negotiations, concessions on time were made in exchange for higher salaries.”  

This is misleading, any modifications to the student schedule made in the past have been driven entirely by School Committee interests. These changes have also not resulted in higher salaries for educators, who have taken increases as low as 0% in recent years.

“Our students deserve more instructional time, and reaching agreement with the Union is a key step to making that happen.” 

On June 10, BEA educators proposed the addition of 15 minutes to the student day, as well as a clear plan to implement that additional time. The School Committee has not yet agreed to the BEA’s proposed increase in time in the student day, and has declared “impasse” in negotiations for the bargaining unit where this language must be resolved. We agree that resolving instructional time is an urgent priority, and we continue to implore the School Committee to stop refusing to discuss this with us.

“While some [bargaining sessions] have been constructive, others have been marked by shifts away from the agreed agenda, with time spent on extended presentations”

The School Committee has made numerous extended presentations, including providing an identical presentation on three separate occasions. The SC have also repeatedly shown up unprepared for negotiations.

Despite having an expired contract, we continue to show up to work every day because your children are that important to us. We love our work, and we will always go above and beyond for our students. But we need the School Committee to recognize our dedication and meet us fairly at the bargaining table. We are asking for your understanding and your voice. Together, we can make sure our schools remain a place where students can thrive.

With gratitude,

— Your Children’s Educators