GROTON TEACHERS & School Cmte Reach Tentative Contract Settlement

The Groton Teachers Union and School Committee bargaining teams have reached a tentative settlement of their contract covering this year and the next two years. Settlement was reached February 19 after a seven-hour mediation session under the direction of a state mediator.  The agreement is subject to ratification by the teachers and the School Committee and the terms of the settlement are confidential pending the ratification votes.  Ratification is expected to take place over the next several weeks.

Alison Manugian, School Committee Chairperson, expressed optimism for continued progress, saying, "The School Committee is pleased that the mediation process was effective; helping us all to reach settlement in three sessions.  We thank the members of both negotiating teams for their hours of support and assistance.  We look forward to strong relationships and ongoing conversations about education with the entire GDRSD community." 

Adam Snodgrass, GDEA (Groton Dunstable Educators Association) President, shared a similar sentiment about building on the progress seen on Thursday. Mr. Snodgrass stated, "On behalf of the GDEA, we feel that the relationship between the GDEA and the School Committee made a very positive turn on Thursday. The mediation session allowed us to address the issues of our contract in a very long but very productive session. This gives us a good foundation to build on as we work together in the future and we are hopeful for similar progress in the mediation for the Unit C and Unit D contracts in the coming weeks."