Photo: Jay Willet/WBZ NewsRadio
MARBLEHEAD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — As most schools in the state are closed for February vacation, three North Shore school districts kept their school doors open to make up for lost days from the teacher strikes last fall.
“Everybody gets hurt— parents, the kids, the teachers— especially the teachers, but they had to do it,” one Marblehead resident told WBZ NewsRadio.
Marblehead teachers went on a two-week strike in November after negotiations for their new contracts stalled for months on better wages and benefits. During those walked out days, students’ learning was also paused. Now, they are making it up.
“Somewhere or another it has to be made up,” she added. “[The teachers] deserve more money than they get.”
The Marblehead School Board decided to cancel February break this academic year in order to reach the state-mandated 180 days of school by June 30.
Some residents and parents don’t think the kids should be the one paying the price of the strike.
“The adults are supposed to set the example, the children don’t have to pay,” one Marblehead man said. “They deserve a vacation.”
Even though school is still in session, Marblehead Interim Superintendent John Robidioux said attendance rate still declined this week, down around 41% in middle and high schools.
Meanwhile, students in Beverly and Gloucester Public Schools are also heading into classrooms this week.
WBZ NewsRadio's Jay Willett (@JayWillettWBZ) reports