Monday night, the school committee adopted a set of objectives to guide them as it enters into contract negotiations with the Winthrop Teachers’ Association.
“As we enter renegotiations with the Massachusetts Teachers’ Association, the Winthrop School Committee is committed to a process that is principled, constructive, and focused on the long-term success of our district,” said School Committee Chair Jennifer Powell.
The objectives approved by the committee include fostering a respectful, collaborative environment.
“We are committed to maintaining a strong, respectful relationship with our teachers, staff, and administrators,” said Powell. “We believe that productive negotiations are rooted in mutual understanding of clear communication and a shared commitment to educational excellence.”
Powell said the school committee aims to reach an agreement that affirms the value of the district’s teachers and supports long-term engagement and job satisfaction.
“Our goal is to retain talented educators and team members who feel supported and empowered in their roles,” said Powell.
In addition, the objectives aim to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth.
“We seek a contract that is fiscally responsible and enables the district to maintain level services while allowing for improvements that directly benefit students and staff when feasible,” said Powell.
As elected representatives, Powell said the school committee has a duty to represent the interests of the entire community of Winthrop.
“That includes negotiating in good faith, providing appropriate transparency throughout the process, and ensuring that outcomes reflect both educational priorities and responsible stewardship of public resources,” said Powell. “We recognize the importance of these negotiations and are committed to a process that serves the best interest of our students and staff and our broader community.”
School committee members agreed that the objectives should apply to all future union negotiations and not be limited to the ongoing talks with the Winthrop Teachers’ Association.
Powell said the objectives would be posted on the school district website, along with any updates on union negotiations within legal limits in order to maintain transparency.
“I think that is a great idea, and I love having the objectives because it guides the process, and it also lets the public know what our intentions are, or what the intentions of the school committee are,” said Superintendent of Schools Lisa Howard. “I think it is super helpful to have those updates as we can and as are legally allowed to furnish updates to the community and allow them to read them if they want to.”