by  Haley Verre
Staff Writer

You may have noticed the change in atmosphere due to the teacher negotiations for a new contract. Many students have been curious about the teachers’ behavior lately and don’t know why they have been refraining from staying after school.

The teachers have been attempting to negotiate for a fair contract. Since August 2011, no contract has been present.

Many students have been curious about the teacher contract, but teachers have stated they are not permitted to discuss it.

“We appreciate our students’ curiosity and normally we encourage that trait,” said Head of the Union Ruth Freeman, “However, we feel it is very important that as professionals we conduct ourselves at work as educators. If we talked to individual students about our perspective, some might complain that we are trying to ‘use’ the students to promote our point of view. That is why we suggest students discuss the issue with their parents, instead.”

The teachers’ new tradition of wearing black every Wednesday and a variety of buttons everyday has been noticed by the students as well.

According to “Westford Education Association Enters Right-to-Rule Situation”, an article in the Westford Patch, Wednesday is mediation day. Teachers wear black to “mourn” the fact that there has been no compromise reached.

This week, teachers have been entering the building at 7:25 AM and leaving at 2:12 PM. As a result, little extra help can be provided and certain clubs have been cancelled. The Westford Teacher Association has requested teachers not to participate in any voluntary activities for this week, such as chaperoning and running clubs which they are not paid to advise.

Students’ reactions to this practice have not been positive. “It takes away from our education when the teachers are not there. It isn’t helping, just hurting us,” said freshman Maggie Basinas.

The absence of  additional help after school contributes to students’ distaste for “Work to Rule”.

Junior Caroline Rosinski stated it is “obnoxious”, while freshman Marcus Kohnstam feels it will influence the work of students. Freshman Jack Leeber agreed that “[‘Work to Rule’]is bad because [students] can’t have extra help.”

So far, this is what has impacted students the most.

“I hope students experience limited changes. The sooner the school committee agrees to negotiate the specific parts of our contract, the better we will all be,” said Freeman.