Contrary to recent public statements and reports in the press, the Scarborough Education Association never agreed to a 0 percent salary increase and there never was an agreement with the Scarborough Board of Education to freeze salaries for next year.

In the course of contract negotiations, we were certainly willing to discuss a 0 percent increase, but it was linked to other contractual terms. Since the board did not agree to these other terms, it was premature for anyone on the board, or the school administration, to have announced that there was an agreement to freeze salaries for next year. The SEA teacher bargaining team has continued good-faith discussions with the School Board negotiations team, but it is now clear that there will be no new contract with the teachers for next year or in the foreseeable future.

When we do meet again in the fall, our long-term goals will remain unchanged – adequate funding for the Scarborough school system and a fair compensation package for teachers and staff to retain and attract quality educators in our school system. We hope that the Board of Education shares those goals as the SEA is committed to making the Scarborough school system among the best in the state.

Paul J. Ledman and David O’Connor
SEA negotiations team co-chairmen