More than 90 staff members resigned from committees and activities.
By Donna M. Perry
Staff Writer

JAY – A union president presented School Committee members Thursday with nearly 100 staff resignations from various committees and extra-curricular activities.

Members of the Jay Education Association, most wearing JEA T-shirts with wording “Standing up for quality education,” held posters during Thursday’s committee meeting in silent protest over a lack of a new contract. The hand-written messages ran the gamut, including “Good teachers deserve good contracts,” “Jay EA bargaining back the quality in Jay schools” and “Respect: Learn it, Know it, Show it.”

Teachers have been working without a new contract since September of 2002. The school system has already spent in excess of $21,000 for a professional negotiator to help School Committee negotiators settle the contract. Negotiations have been ongoing for more than 18 months.

JEA President Sherry Gilbert read from a prepared statement during the meeting.

“I am here tonight with a heavy heart to present to you the resignations of over 90 staff members from various committees and extra curricular activities,” Gilbert said. “This decision for each staff member was made with great difficulty.”

The staff resignations were effective March 7, except for the 11 members resigning from extra-curricular appointments. Those resignations go into effect after staff members’ commitment is completed.

Committees and the number of staff resigning are Certification Committee, five members; Education Technician Authorization Committee, three members; Communication Committee, four members; Staff Development Committee, seven members; Technology/Computer Committee, nine members; extra-curricular appointments, 11 members; and Assembly Committee, seven members.

Also, Bullying Prevention Committee, 10 members; chairs of committees, five members; Literary Collaborative Committee, seven members; Reading is Fundamental Committee, eight members; and Student Assistance Team, nine members.

“The time, energy, commitment, and dedication from each staff member made these committees successful,” Gilbert said. “The lack of administrative leadership, respect, appreciation, and support undermined the morale of the participants and ultimately brought about their resignations.”

dperry@sunjournal.com