Newton City HallPhoto: Getty Images
NEWTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — After a long and tense 15-day strike and 11 days of missed classes, Newton teachers and students are back in the classroom after the teacher’s union ratified a new contract with the district.
According to WBZ-TV, more than 97 percent of the teachers’ union ratified the new contract late Sunday night, and the school committee is expected to formally approve the agreement Wednesday.
Most students were happy that the strike was over and they could finally head back to class. “I feel good. I want to see my friends again,” said one student. Some students also said they understood why the strike happened.
One Newton father said that he was relieved the strike was over and believed teachers got a fair deal. He also said he thought teachers did the right in striking despite 11 days of canceled classes. “The strike needed to be solved however long it was going to take,” he said.
Another father said he was disappointed that due to the length of the strike, the school district canceled February vacation.
“A lot of people planned their travels for vacation. People are going to miss out because we’ve already booked flights and hotels," he said.
The Newton school committee extended the school year by seven days to make up for the missed classes and will now wrap up the year on June 26th.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports.
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