At last week's Long Island President's Council meeting we were made aware of a very serious situation. The teachers of the Lawrence Teachers' Association are coming to the end of theirFIFTH year without a contract, and anticipate beginning their SIXTH in September!
Not only is the LTA working without a contract, their district's negotiating team has not even met with them to negotiate since February of 2015 (yes, fifteen months). As many of you who live in this area know, the Lawrence Board of Education is dominated by parents who send (or sent) their children to private schools. This not only makes Lawrence a very difficult district in which to work, but an equally difficult district in which to live for the families whose children do attend the public schools, as private school interests have systematically drained resources from the public schools and the children they educate. In fact, when she was interviewed last week on Verizon Fios Channel 1, LTA President Lori Skonberg said that Superintendent Gary Schall had told her without any remorse or hesitation, "This community doesn't care if you get a contract." It's time to try to make them care.
Now, the LTA is asking us to stand with them as they picket to raise awareness of their situation.
On Thursday, June 2, from 6:00 - 7:00, they will be marching outside Lawrence High School, at 2 Reilly Road in Cedarhurst. Many colleagues throughout Long Island will be there. Join us in spending one hour to stand with our fellow teachers who have faced a five-year-going-on-six struggle. If you attend the march look for Herricks colleagues so we can walk together as a group. Homemade signs to the effect of "Herricks Teachers support the LTA" would also be helpful.
Even if you cannot attend the march, please wear either RED or your HTA shirt to work on June 2nd as a sign of support for our LTA colleagues.