March 20, 2007  

INFORMATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

   I am certain by now that many of you are aware of the Pentucket Teachers’ Association decision to move to “work to rule” beginning Monday, March 19, 2007. To avoid any misunderstanding in terms of daily operation of our schools, I share the following information.

 “Work to rule” is when voluntary services on the part of the teachers are suspended temporarily until such time as the Association believes adequate progress is being made in teacher contract negotiations. Extracurricular activities and athletics for which there is a contractual stipend paid to a teacher will still continue. There are some volunteer committees and councils on which teachers have served that will be curtailed for now. Teachers’ hours will be according to their contract for which they are monetarily compensated. All secondary teachers will begin their school day ten minutes before starting time for students and will end their school day twenty-five minutes after the scheduled time for student dismissals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and after supervision of students exiting the building on Mondays and Fridays. Elementary teachers will begin their school day ten minutes before starting time for students and will end their school day ten minutes after the scheduled time for student dismissal. Meetings about student services and instructional needs can be coordinated in each building during the school day through the principal’s office.

 Teachers will continue to work diligently within the “work to rule” parameters to provide a quality education experience for your child. Telephone and email contacts with the teacher(s) involved or through the principal’s office made by you to your child’s teacher will be returned, but within the parameters of the work day only.

I have asked staff not to engage in conversation with parents about “work to rule” but rather that you direct your questions to me. Teachers have also been instructed not to engage the students in any discussion related to the job action.  

I know that we all desire a swift resolution to our negotiations so that “work to rule” need not be a factor in the educational experience of our students. Please contact me should you have any questions.