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Union: Morale Among Manchester Teachers 'Very Poor' After Contract Veto

Twitter/michellecoutur3

Officials with the Manchester teachers union say morale is very poor among its membership, as teachers prepare to enter their third school year without a new contract.

The Manchester Education Association released a statement Thursday, saying it was "utterly disappointed" by the veto of a proposed three-year contract by Mayor Ted Gatsas.

Vice president Maxine Mosley says teachers will report to work on the first day of school Sept. 2 and will educate the city’s students.

“But I also think at this point the membership is starting to understand that this is beyond the contract. This is a long-term disregard for the students and the educational system and the educators in Manchester by this particular mayor and so people need to get politically involved.”

In the union’s statement, it says towns like Bedford, Auburn and Hooksett have pulled their students from the city’s schools because they continue to be underfunded.

Gatsas says he vetoed the contract in response to figures showing it would lead to significant deficits in the city budget in the second and third year of the proposed deal.

On Monday, the city’s school board took a vote of no confidence in Gatsas, and asked aldermen to take another vote on the contract.

Michael serves as NHPR's Program Director. Michael came to NHPR in 2012, working as the station's newscast producer/reporter. In 2015, he took on the role of Morning Edition producer. Michael worked for eight years at The Telegraph of Nashua, covering education and working as the metro editor.
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