Andover Teachers Face Layoffs After Strike: Impact on Schools Revealed, US

The aftermath of the Andover teacher strike continues as the town grapples with the impact of 23 teaching positions being cut, just months after a new contract was agreed upon. The Andover Education Association reported that 22 people are being transferred, and four teachers are retiring, affecting nine out of ten schools in the district. Teachers like Katy Vives, an Andover High School social studies teacher, expressed shock and disappointment upon receiving notification of their positions being eliminated. The strike, which concluded in November and led to increased pay and benefits for teachers, was contentious as the school committee cited budget concerns that would result from meeting the demands. However, the union believes there is adequate funding for the schools and criticizes the decision to cut positions. While the school committee did not provide specifics on the cuts, they highlighted a decrease in student enrollment over the years. As affected teachers continue to work through the school year, the community faces the reverberations of a labor dispute that has left lasting consequences on Andover’s education system.