Nashua Teacher Contract on the Table for Aldermen

For the past three decades, Robert Sherman has taught social studies to generations of Nashua students.

This year he tackles another, possibly more challenging, topic, as president of the Nashua Teachers Union.

Teachers have been working without a contract since August 2006.

Sherman says the union and the city’s Board of Aldermen remain deadlocked on one issue:

RS: The major objections seem to be the fact that teachers were unwilling to take a no-raise, in any form, in the first year.

If teachers don’t get a settlement soon, says Sherman, they’ll look elsewhere for jobs.

RS: And then, you will be left with young, inexperienced teachers. We will have some first or second year teachers that are going to be teaching advanced placement courses. So therefore, we will become a training ground – if people are willing to apply and come into the situation we have here.

High school ambience, kids talking in background
It’s late afternoon at Nashua High North.

Nick Anzalone, a tenth grader, walks toward the parking lot. Anzalone also represents the students on the Nashua’s Board of Education.

NA: I’m worried that our education will be decreased because all the good teachers have been leaving and are leaving. My computer teacher, science teacher, world studies teacher, English teacher, and I believe my Spanish teacher left because of that. (cross fade with RP)

RP: Our teachers no longer stay after school except for one day a week.

That’s Rebecca Powell, a junior at Nashua North.

RP: I’ve learned that they’re not writing recommendations for colleges and summer programs, and stuff like that.

Alderman at Large Fred Teebom disagrees with teachers going that far.

Teeboom: Now you’re doing a terrible thing. Now you’re holding children hostage to your demands.

Teeboom says teachers should be able to help students during the hours of their contract.

He says it’s unreasonable for teachers to provide after school help more than one day a week.

Teeboom wants the contract dispute resolved.

But he has several issues with it.

FT: Every year they’re guaranteed the step increase. Other unions, you have to pass a merit review. Why are kindergarten teachers paid the same as teachers who teach advanced calculus? As long as you have the same years in service, you get the same pay. One shoe fits all is what’s in these contracts. That is not typical.

Teeboom says the main flaw is that teachers are demanding a retroactive, first year raise, while other unions have not.

Union reps say aldermen shouldn’t be worried about what’s known as a “me-too” clause – that other unions will also want a pay raise if Nashua teachers get one.

Some parents say Nashua has to compete with salaries in surrounding school districts, and Nashua is falling behind.

Parent Helen Honorow is the PTO president of Pennichuck Middle School

HH: We don’t get a good school system by luck. But we have to make the investment. And that includes paying teachers fair and adequate compensation.

She says the city shouldn’t compare teachers with other unions.

HH: The teachers are different in many ways. To have a job as a teacher, you have to have a college degree. Generally speaking, higher levels of education demand higher salaries.

School officials say the proposed contract with a first-year raise will cost the city more than three million dollars – exceeding the current spending cap.

If the Board of Aldermen accept the contract, Nashua Mayor DonnaLee Lozeau could still veto it.

For NHPR news in Nashua, this is Sheryl Rich-Kern.