School committee member speaks out in Beverly as teacher strikes continue

By Hannah Woods

While teachers remain on strike, one school committee member from Beverly has expressed concern over the way colleagues are handling the situation. Kimberley Coelho holds a position as a sitting member on the Beverly School Committee, and posted a statement on Facebook encouraging other members of the school committee to “settle on a fair contract” by the weekend. 

According to Coelho, her interests and values are focused on students and educators. She also has two of her own kids enrolled in the Beverly Public School System. “It has become abundantly clear to me that some of my colleagues do not share these same interests and values,” stated Coelho.

The teacher strike in Beverly is one of three along the North Shore of Massachusetts. Other teacher strikes are taking place in Marblehead and Gloucester. However, students and teachers in Gloucester are going back to school on Monday as an agreement was reached between the Gloucester School Committee and the union on Friday. Gloucester’s teacher strike lasted 15 days.

“What is abundantly clear is some do not want to settle on a contract,” stated Coelho. “Instead, feel more concerned about breaking the union’s spirits and dividing our community.”

Beverly’s teacher strike is ongoing, marking 16 days on Saturday. Due to missing time in school, students will possibly have to make up days over February and April breaks.