Tentative agreement reached to end Newton teachers strike

NEWTON, MASS. (WHDH) - The Newton School Committee and the Newton Teachers Association have reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract and students will return to the classrooms on Monday, the committee announced Friday.

The contract will require ratification from NTA members and a majority vote of the School Committee.

“This contract reflects our values including respect for our educators. It reinforces and expands meaningful support for students; meaningfully increases compensation for all employees, particularly our building and classroom aides; maintains Newton as a leader in benefits; and provides important flexibility for our leaders to strengthen and innovate our system,” the statement read.

It continued, “This strike has been painful for NPS families and the entire City of Newton. We will all need some time to heal, and we ask for patience and leadership from all of the adults in the NPS community. It is up to us to show our kids how a strong community responds to challenges.”

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said of the agreement, “We’re all breathing a sigh of relief.”

She called the contract one “that honors the tremendous work of our educators, a contract that the city can afford, a contract that serves our students.”

This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

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