By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
It was standing-room-only at the School Committee’s Nov. 4 meeting, as dozens of North Attleborough teachers spilled into the hallway in a show of solidarity amid negotiations for a new contract.
Prior to the meeting, teachers held a rally outside the Woodcock Administration Building – their second since the teachers’ current contract expired on Aug. 31. Chants of “What do we want? A fair contract!” and “When do we want it? Now!” echoed as teachers filed into the meeting to make their message heard.
According to Bob Collins of the North Attleborough Federation of Teachers, little has changed since the union’s previous rally on Sept. 17. Talks have now moved to mediation, and Collins told the North Star Reporter that while the union has scaled back some requests, the administration has not made comparable upward movement.
“Even with just a 3% cost-of-living increase, what we’re asking for still puts our teachers in a deficit because of insurance costs that increased by 17%,” said Collins. “We’re just trying not to slide backwards, because in the end, we need to make sure these kids have teachers who are qualified in the classrooms.”
Superintendent John Antonucci opened the discussion by crediting NAFT for remaining civil and professional throughout the entire process.
“I applaud us collectively for this not devolving into a tense and negative experience,” said Antonucci. “We’re currently in mediation, which I think is a great place to be. I think it’s wonderful to bring a third party in to help facilitate conversation.”
School Committee member Gideon Gaudette disagreed.
“I just think it’s not going well if you’re in mediation and if teachers haven’t had a contract in three months,” said Gaudette. “I asked for this update because we haven’t heard a peep. It would be nice to have an update as a member.”
Teachers share their stories
Numerous North educators addressed the committee, sharing stories that ranged from hopeful to frustrated, and at times, emotional.
The first was Bridget Gay, a special education teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School. She spoke of her deep roots in the community and desire to remain teaching in North Attleborough, despite what she described as years of unfair contracts.
“Fair pay isn’t just about a paycheck – it’s about respect, stability and keeping us right here where we belong,” said Gay.
Katie Gundlach, a fifth-grade teacher at Amvet Elementary School, shared her experience of taking a $7,000 annual pay cut to come teach in North Attleborough. Two years later, she still brings home less per paycheck than she did at her last job.
Gundlach also described challenging working conditions, including increasingly large class sizes. In her first year, she had a class of 27 students, including eight on IEPs and two with 504 behavioral plans. Many educators, she said, teach from carts or in converted classrooms and the materials and support they need.
“We’re working longer hours for less pay, and it’s taking a visible toll on staff,” said Gundlach.
Tina Stewart, a third-grade teacher at Martin Elementary who has taught in the district for 30 years, said she has not received a step raise in 16 years – only small cost-of-living increases. Step increases are periodic pay raises. Many of her colleagues work second jobs, she added, and the school year began with 17 open positions.
“We are invested in North every day, but are you invested in us?” Stewart asked the School Committee. “I’m not sure it feels that way. Passion alone cannot sustain us.”
Anna Pless, a 26-year-old teacher and band director at North Attleborough Middle School, works a second job as a baker throughout the school year and three jobs in the summer to make ends meet.
Pless broke down the cost of living on a teacher’s salary. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages about $1,800 a month, she said, while her monthly take-home pay is $3,116 after taxes and deductions. Without a partner or roommate, rent alone would consume roughly 60% of her budget.
“For young teachers today, it is not realistic to imagine buying a home, having a family or even building modest savings under current salary conditions,” said Pless. “This is not just a financial request – it is a request for stability for myself, my colleagues and our students. A raise is not an expense; it’s an investment.”
Debra Woodcock, a single mother of two in her 11th year at Martin Elementary School, shared those same concerns.
“Today, I struggle to make ends meet,” said Woodcock. “Salaries lagging 10-15% behind the national average means no more family trips, scrimping to get by, only buying the absolute necessaries.”
School Committee Chair Tasha Buzzell, who also serves on the negotiating team, said the first mediation session was held Oct. 21, and a second was scheduled for Nov. 5.
“We’re trying to do this very thoughtfully and intentionally so that I’m not just throwing you a number and saying ‘Let’s be done, sign your contract,’” said Buzzell. “We’re trying to deliver something much more purposeful and meaningful.”