As Philly teacher contract expires, School District must increase pay after years of frozen wages | Opinion

As teachers, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) building representatives, Philadelphians, and advocates for our school communities, we strongly believe that the swift settlement of a fair contract for the more than 13,000 members of the PFT is a critical step in moving our city forward during incredibly challenging times.

This past year, our school communities, like so many across the city and around the nation, endured immense hardships. Amid the deadliest pandemic in modern history, Philadelphia’s devastating surge in gun violence, an economic crisis, and a long overdue uprising for racial justice, our students and school communities have needed us more than ever. We pulled out all the stops to support our students and offer space, albeit virtual, to process all that was unfolding across the nation. We continued advocating for more resources for our schools. Time and again, over the course of the pandemic (and well before), we spoke up for a more equitable system of public education. We continued to, alongside our union leadership, be at the forefront of the fight for safe and healthy school buildings, because it’s what our students and colleagues deserve.

And now, like our colleagues across the city, we’re working tirelessly to prepare to open our classroom doors this week. We are simultaneously awaiting the settlement of a fair contract that reflects our work, our commitment, and our value.

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While some dismiss the role of the union in public education, doing so is detrimental to the future of public education. If not for our collective efforts, our students would enter classrooms with zero limitations on class size, no guarantee of a school counselor, and even no guarantee of a functional water fountain. PFT members before us were jailed to secure a modest preparation period that allows us time to do a fraction of what is expected of us. In fact, each of us spends hours each morning, evening, and weekends completing mountains of paperwork, grading, differentiation plans, and so much more.

Further, we would be remiss if we did not state what has become far too common among our colleagues: We do not feel that the School District of Philadelphia respects us, values us, or truly understands the lengths we go to provide the best for our students. We do not think the district truly knows the impact that the job we love with all of our hearts can have on our own families and on our well-being.

Each day, we find ways to meet the needs of our students. Educators run toiletry drives. Some provide food for hungry students before each weekend. Others have directed Parkway Northwest’s Peace and Social Justice Academy and organized voter registration efforts resulting in 95% of Parkway’s students having registered. Philadelphia’s educators remain deeply committed to this work.

But for too long, this district has implemented top-down programs and directives that have little impact on our students and take us away from the important work we know is needed.

Our pay scale pales in comparison to nearby suburban districts, and yet our workload continues to skyrocket. This is true for every PFT member, which of course includes the paraprofessionals that give so much of themselves. Our students with special needs benefit immensely from the services provided by the talented support staff, and their service should be recognized.

This contract provides an opportunity for Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. and the school board to “show, not tell” that they truly value us as educators, as professionals, and as human beings.

That means reasonable workloads. It means working collaboratively to implement programs that are good for children. And yes, part of that commitment means a fair and equitable pay increase. After a five-year contract freeze, many of us are still reeling from the financial impact of having zero increase in our salaries for so long.

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Under local control now for the first time since 2001, the School District and the mayor’s appointed school board have the responsibility of ensuring that they are doing all they can to truly commit to our public school system. One critical component of that commitment is settling a fair contract immediately. Show us, don’t tell us, that you value and respect us, and that you believe that the students we serve deserve to have the tools and resources they need to thrive. A fair contract is a belief in and commitment to public education.

Sharahn Santana is the PFT building representative and English/History teacher at Parkway Northwest High School for Peace and Social Justice. Ivey Welshans is the PFT building representative and special education teacher at Middle Years Alternative Middle School, and a member of the PFT Executive Board.