NESPA Winner: News story, 2023

The Cypress, Brookline High School, Brookline, MA

 Over 900 Brookline Educators Union (BEU) members picketed in front of the various public schools to begin their strike for a fair contract on Monday, May 16. The strike follows months of contract negotiations, in which the Brookline School Committee (BSC) and the BEU have been trying to reach an agreement.

Educators gathered at all eight K-8 schools and at the high school beginning at 8 a.m., carrying signs, chanting and using an array of noise-makers to draw attention. They then all convened at town hall at 1:30 p.m.

The BSC released a statement that said the closure of schools is creating several problems for students and their families.

“We are seeing and hearing of children’s anxiety about this situation, magnified by memories of what they face during extended pandemic school closures. Our most vulnerable learners, including students in special education and those with disabilities, are disproportionately impacted by school closures; for some food-insecure students, school is where they receive their only meals,” the BSC’s statement said.

In the statement, the BSC also said the BEU should stop striking and instead work to resolve the issue in conjunction with the BSC.

“We again call on the BEU to cease and desist all strike activity so that we can focus our joint efforts on bargaining toward successful resolution,” the statement said. “Brookline students must not be the victims of this situation any longer than they already have.”

Read the full story here.