Nearly 100 educators, parents and supporters for increased school funding from across the region converged on Haverhill’s City Hall this week to implore local leaders to act—and fast—amid 2020 budget conversations, Haverhill Education Association leaders tell WHAV.
HEA President Ted Kempinski was among those to demand change in the form of equitable student resources and a fair contract for educators.
“The funding that the Haverhill city government is providing is not sufficient for a 21st century education. Our students do not have the tools nor the resources they need to be successful,” Kempinski told WHAV.
Kempinski’s colleague Anthony Parolisi, HEA’s incoming president, told WHAV the group was supported by educators from Methuen and Andover, along with Massachusetts Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy and Massachusetts Nurses Association present Donna Kelly-Williams.
Haverhill Public Schools let out for the summer on Thursday, with the teachers’ union planning to organize throughout the break on several occasions. The group recently hired a parent outreach advocate, Kempinski said, to keep Haverhill families aware of school happenings, including what to expect from Superintendent Margaret Marotta’s new “right-sizing” redistricting plan.
The Haverhill City Council holds a Schools’ budget conference on Tuesday, June 18 at 5 p.m. in room 204 of City Hall, 4 Summer St., with Mayor James J. Fiorentini expected to review the overall budget a final time on June 20 before the document is voted on by the Council.