Contract Settlement for Teachers
This fall the Granby Board of Education entered negotiations with the Granby Education Association (GEA) for the next contract cycle starting in July. The board and GEA were able to come to an agreement in mediation in October and both parties ratified the agreement shortly thereafter. As mentioned in Ms. Weber’s December article, both the board and the association recognized a need to bring teacher salaries up to a more competitive level.
The disparity of pay between Granby teachers and those in surrounding communities has been widening over time due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the timing of previous negotiations coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic as well as some difficult state level stand-offs over educational cost-share funding. As a result, other communities have put more money into teachers’ salaries over time. We in the association recognize that these financial hurdles cannot be overcome overnight, and we are encouraged that this settlement begins to address the problem that the board and association agreed needs attention.
The three-year contract commencing on July 1, 2024 does add wage growth for teachers at all levels of experience. While other districts may still pay more, the support shown by so many in the community during this round of negotiations has buoyed spirits. We thank you all for your time and efforts, be it writing letters, attending/speaking at meetings or putting up a sign as a show of support. It does mean a great deal to the talented educators here in Granby that you care.
The next stage in this process is the annual budget work being done by Superintendent Burke and the board of education. This contractual obligation is part of the overall education budget going to the town later this spring. As the board works through recommendations from stakeholders, please take the time to understand this budget—cuts could mean jobs, programs or other changes to educational services.
If you would like to know more about our schools please check out the school district and town websites for budget documents and board meeting information. Or consider volunteering, or even substituting, come in and get to know us and our work better—we look forward to seeing you.
KC Petruzzi
President, GEA
The pitfalls of presentism: learning from the past, preparing for the future
In today’s fast-paced world, the tendency to view historical events through the lens of contemporary values and norms, a phenomenon known as presentism, is a growing concern. Presentism involves judging the past based on present-day standards, often leading to misinterpretations and oversimplifications of historical contexts. While it is essential to acknowledge progress and social advancements, embracing presentism can hinder our understanding of history and impede societal growth.
One of the inherent flaws of presentism is its potential to distort the true complexity of historical circumstances. It oversimplifies the intricacies of the past by superimposing modern beliefs and values onto historical events, neglecting the nuances that shaped those times. This oversimplification impedes a thorough examination of historical contexts, preventing us from gaining a deeper comprehension of how societies have evolved and progressed.
Presentism can inadvertently perpetuate cultural arrogance. By applying present-day ethical and moral standards to historical figures or societies, we risk imposing a sense of superiority, failing to grasp the distinctive challenges and circumstances they faced. Every era is a product of its time, influenced by its unique social, economic, and political forces, and we should strive to appreciate this diversity rather than imposing our contemporary world view.
Presentism can also hinder our ability to learn from the past. By dismissing historical figures or events due to their perceived failings, we risk missing valuable lessons and opportunities for growth. History should be viewed as a teacher, offering insights into human behavior, societal progress, and the consequences of our actions. An honest assessment of history, free from presentist biases, enables us to make more informed decisions in the present and chart a better course for the future.
To counteract the negative impacts of presentism, we must strive for historical understanding rooted in empathy, context and nuance. By acknowledging the historical context, we can comprehend the complexities of past societies, its challenges and the rationale behind actions. Instead of passing judgment from a 21st-century standpoint, we should seek to understand and learn from the perspectives of those who lived in different eras.
While it is essential to celebrate the progress and advancements of our time, presentism impedes our ability to truly understand history and its lessons. By fostering a balanced and informed approach to the past, we can appreciate the progress we’ve made while learning from the mistakes and achievements of those who came before us.
Bill Regan
Dear People of the Great State of Connecticut,
Hello! I am a third-grade student in Northern Virginia. Our class is learning about the United States, and I will be teaching our school about the state of Connecticut. In May, I will create a display for our State Fair that I hope will make you proud.
Although I have gathered facts about your state from books and websites, I think that I can receive the best information from the people who live there. This is why I am writing to you. I am hoping that you would be willing to send me some items to help me learn more about the best things in your state. You might consider sending items such as postcards, pictures, souvenirs, this newspaper article, or any other unique items that would be useful or show your state’s pride.
Here are a few questions:
Why do you live in your state? What first brought your family there?
How do you make money? What is your job?
What does your state look like?
What do people do for fun?
What animals live there?
What traditional food or recipes does your state have?
What type of music is native to your state?
Do you have a state athletic team?
What geographic features are unique to your state?
I will need to gather all of my information by the second week of May. You can mail items to the address below. I really appreciate your help!
Sincerely, Aria
Miss Campbell’s Class
The Langley School
1411 Balls Hill Road
McLean, Virginia 22101