Students in Newton, Massachusetts, have been out of school for two full weeks now and with no agreement in sight, classes will again be canceled Friday.
Meanwhile, officials are looking at ways to make up the time lost in the classroom.
The striking teachers and school committee are still an estimated $15 million apart in contract negotiations — the bulk of which is raises for teachers and paraprofessionals.
School Committee Chair Chris Brezski broke down in tears Wednesday night in frustration over the lack of a deal.
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Brezski let out and exasperated sigh as he said, "My kids aren't going to school again. This has gone too far. We need our kids back in school, and only the union can unilaterally make that decision."
Parents who've filed lawsuits to try to get their children back in class, as well as families who support them, shared their message for the striking teachers.
"The courts have ordered you to go back to school, the parents are begging you, the mayor and city council are begging you, the school committee is begging you — who is standing in your way?" asked Newton parent Dylan Ross.
"I miss my teachers, I miss my friends and I miss learning and math and I just want to go back to school," said one student named Lila.
Gov. Maura Healey got involved Thursday, asking the Department of Labor Relations to file a pleading asking the court to hold twice daily status conferences between the parties. If an agreement is not reached soon, the filing requests that the court turn to binding arbitration.
“It is unacceptable that school has been closed for two weeks in Newton due to the ongoing strike. As a lifelong educator who began his career in the classroom 25 years ago, I am deeply appreciative of the work that our educators do and understand the constraints facing the school committee, but our students are suffering each day that Newton public schools are closed. Our focus is on keeping kids in school, making sure they receive a high-quality education and supporting our hardworking educators. We need our students back in the classroom now," said state Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.
By law, students have to be in school 180 days and cannot go to school past June 30. To make some of those days up, the School Committee voted to cancel February vacation.
"We knew all along that there were going to be some consequences to the calendar, and we are ready for it. We know that we're going to work until the end of June, we know that we're going to have to give up some of our vacation to make up these days, but we still believe it's worth it," said Newton Spanish teacher Ana Tellado said.
