Sandwich Teachers Union President Resigns -- Fed up with Union Bullies!

"Unfortunately there are ​also ​a few representatives on ​your executive board who are filled with hatred and anger​. They have no interest in resolutions, only in bathing in their own vitriolic sentiments ​ and bullying others​. "

The below email was sent to SEA members across Town yesterday.  I have never met outgoing SEA President Paula Chambers, but her email shows a tremendous amount of bravery and professionalism to make very public what has long been a major problem in the Sandwich Schools.  (Thank you to all of the folks who sent me a copy of this -- all of whom made the stipulation that their names not be used.)

Dear Friends and Colleagues;

I​ ​am writing to inform you that I have resigned as President of the SEA. I have worked very hard to represent and advocate for all SEA members, and am grateful for the support and guidance many of you have given me along the way. 

​During my year as president I have gotten to know some very good members of the executive ​board ​ who work tirelessly to represent the people in their buildings. 

I want to publicly thank them for their dedication and hard work this year. Unfortunately there are ​also ​a few representatives on ​your executive board who are filled with hatred and anger​. They have no interest in resolutions, only in bathing in their own vitriolic sentiments ​ and bullying others​. 

There is a definite disconnect with my approach and that of this vocal minority. My belief is that Unions should be there to find positive ways to resolve differences, to support each other and to make the schools better. I don't believe in a union that looks for ways to rip people ​apart and to cripple their own school system. 

I am sorry if I have disappointed any of you, but the current board is ​ one I can no longer be part of.

You may hear rumors of what happened at the last Eboard meeting, so I thought you deserved to hear it from me. 

Although every Eboard meeting has been confrontational, the last meeting really went south quickly. The issue was my request for president release time for next year which we had previously discussed at earlier meetings . I wanted to get a final vote on the issue before bringing it to all of you at the next general membership meeting on Monday. President release time is customary in most towns of our size, and I believe it may be part of the reason that we have always had such difficult relations in our town. There has to be time to work out problems, not just file grievances. True success should not be measured by the number of grievances filed, but rather by the number avoided by adept problem solving skills. A board member said to me that she didn't understand what I needed time for, and that "all that is involved in being a president is contract negotiations". That mentality is why there have been so many problems in the past. Filing grievances is a quick response to issues but it is very short sighted. Building healthy relationships and working out problems requires effort, time and the proper skill set. As a successful president you need to have time for negotiations Yes- but also time for a multitude of other subcommittees, time for listening, time for researching solutions and for attempting conflict resolution, you need time to meet with and to communicate with Eboard members, to write newsletters, and to communicate with all of the schools and all of the units - not just the teachers. You have to have time to contact the Supt., administrators, MTA , local and state representatives, time to speak at, and watch school committee meetings, and if there was enough time,some presidents get involved in advocating for legislation and educational policy at the local and state level. 

I especially thought time would be important next year with all of the changes in store for our district. The supt. had agreed to president release time - funded by the association or by the town- he was open to either, I had put it on the agenda to discuss with the Eboard and then present the options to the general membership for hopeful approval on Monday. I had also seriously contemplated taking a pay cut if the membership didn't think it was possible to fund the release time and did not agree to let the town fund it. I thought it was that important .

​ In the meantime my teaching schedule for next year ​was up in the air and It had been set up with an open block - not yet filled - in case I was able to work this out. Some Eboard members took this opportunity to let me know how much they didn't trust or like me and launched a personal attack on my character for even attempting to get release time. When others tried to speak in defense they were shouted down. 

​When I looked at the angry mob in front of me I decided I was all done. ​

I tendered my resignation which was met by "Finally, Its about time!" from the biggest bully in the room. 

T​his particular issue was about my position, but it wasn't about me- as some may want you to believe. I still​would ​urge you to consider release time in the future for presidents;​ as I think it will be key to ​a successful union.

​I understand that the the meeting for Monday was cancelled, which is a shame because I do think members should be kept up to date on what is going on. Here are a few key issues you may want to know about:

1. The custodial contract has been settled, with a tentative agreement. 

2. The ESP Contract was ratified.

3. The Secretary Contract was ratified.

4. The Teachers Negotiations team has hired a private mediator to come in for the next 3 sessions to help us find solutions. 

5. There s a new component of the evaluation system going in place next year - it involves getting student feedback through surveys. My suggestion to the JLMT group is that the surveys next year should only be used for teachers to review privately. No one should be required to share feedback with admin in the first year of implementation, as we all have enough to stress about next year. I had worked this out with Maureen Wiklund and I hope this verbal agreement remains intact.

​We have a lot of changes in store next year, the Supt. has stated that there will definitely be an overall loss of jobs. Buildings and schedules will be changing and we will all be struggling with trying to keep a positive attitude and doing right by our students while feeling a bit overwhelmed and uncertain at the same time. Although I am no longer on the SEA board, I am always interested in meeting with people who want to create positive change in our school and who want to find thoughtful and equitable solutions. I will work to promote candidates for the board next year that exhibit these types of qualities . Feel free to contact me if you want to talk about improving school culture. 

Members need to speak out to​ create the union they want. ​If  you are silent, ​that is a sign of your approval with the status quo. 

I truly wish everyone the best of luck. I hope everyone has a great summer and comes back refreshed for a successful school year.

With Love and admiration of my colleagues - 

Paula Chambers 

​- your coworker