Waltham Schools, Teachers' Union Nearing New Contract

The Waltham Public Schools are nearing approval of a new contract with the teachers’ union, known was the Waltham Educator’s Association, according to Mayor Jeanette McCarthy.

Approval of a new deal would settle the

McCarthy, in a meeting for parents and school district staff tonight at the Thomas Plympton Elementary School, announced that the parities had recently had three mediation meetings, and came to a tentative agreement.

WEA Vice President Ryan Hoyt told Waltham Patch after the meeting that the union had tentative agreed to the deal, but neither side had yet signed it. Two prior disagreements holding up a new contract had been tentatively settled recently.

“I am hopeful. We’ve appreciated the support from the parents and the administration,” Hoyt told Waltham Patch.

While details on the contract are not yet available, McCarthy said one part would transform the district’s spring open house to a parent conference night.

McCarthy also mentioned one possible snag.

“There is a difference of opinion in a language item,” McCarthy said.

Hoyt said the snag is a piece of the contract agreed upon sometime during the past two years, but would not specify what it is about.

Also, Hoyt said that part of the contract calls for class sizes to be kept below 25 when possible.