LYNNFIELD — It’s all systems go for Lynnfield Public Schools.
By a unanimous 5-0 vote, the School Committee approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lynnfield Teachers’ Union (LTA) on Thursday, clearing the way for the district to start the school year Sept. 16 with hybrid learning — and teachers in their classrooms.
The agreement closes the books on a month-long negotiation between the district and union. LTA members approved the agreement Wednesday, just four days before teachers are scheduled to begin the school year on Sept. 1.
“This vote says a lot about our relationship with our teachers’ union and their willingness to look at what’s going on in Lynnfield,” said School Committee Chairman Jamie Hayman. “I respect and appreciate their need to know that they will be working in as safe an environment as possible.
“Lynnfield is in a different situation than many other districts because we have newer systems, newer buildings than many. This is about ensuring the safety and education of students and staff. (LTA President) Lorie (Kelly) and her bargaining team were fabulous to work with and they are what make our system great, but in the end, this was the culmination of a lot of work from a lot of people, literally, the whole town stepping up.”
Hayman added that he believed Lynnfield may be one of the first districts in the area to reach an agreement with its teachers’ union that calls for teachers actually teaching in-person and remote sessions five days a week from their school classrooms, a position the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) opposes.
“We reject the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s recommendation that teachers be required to conduct remote instruction from their school buildings regardless of safety. It is paternalistic and punitive and has no bearing on the quality of education that the real experts — the educators — provide so masterfully,” MTA President Merrie Najimy said in a recent statement. “The guidance also demonstrates Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley’s fundamental lack of trust of educators, most of whom are women.”
“We thank you for your support in working this out with open discussion,” said Kelly.
Superintendent of Schools Kristen Vogel, whose first day on the job was July 1, said she was grateful to the union and her administrative leadership team for helping to guide her through the process.
“This was my first time doing any type of bargaining and you were very patient and kind, and our leadership team was just terrific,” she said.
Under the reopening plan, teachers will undergo nine days of professional development ending Sept. 15, the day before the first day of school.
Vogel said that under the plan, all students electing to go remote will be expected to follow a schedule.
“Parents have the option of going 100 percent remote, but the child will be on the class roster and have the opportunity to zoom in or engage with teachers synchronously and asynchronously and will follow a set schedule,” said Vogel. “There will also be video lessons, working on documents and the opportunity to have discussions with other remote students. “We think this is what’s best for students and teaches, and want to support their learning so everyone can stay connected.”
Hayman said adjustments may be made in the model as dictated by in-town data and input from town officials, the health department and state data to monitor how the plan is working and that the committee will be soliciting feedback from parents.
“We will be reviewing every four weeks,” he said. “October 19 is the next benchmark and parents need to be patient and flexible. There will be glitches but we are doing our best.
“We need parent support on this. This is not going to be like spring when attendance was optional. There will be no sitting under covers. This is meant to be a learning environment from your house. We all need to make sure they are doing the work that is being asked of them.”
