WESTERN MASS. – More than 100 teachers unions in Massachusetts have declared no confidence in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and its Commissioner Jeff Riley, including several in Western Massachusetts.

The discussion began among teachers and educators, and spread across the state. Throughout the majority of them, a common belief is shared – there is a failure in providing high quality administrative leadership, along with safe working and learning conditions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Western Massachusetts unions that have signed the declaration of no confidence penned by the Massachusetts Teachers Association include those from the districts of Agawam, Chicopee, Easthampton, Gateway Regional, Hampden-Wilbraham Regional, Hampshire Regional, South Hadley, Southampton, Southwick, Springfield, West Springfield, as well as the Pioneer Valley Association of Support Professionals.

According to Hampshire Regional Education Association President Billy Broaddus, “We realized DESE seemed to be changing guidance. We needed better guidance and a better leader.”

Broaddus went on to say, “I looked at the task force formed in May and it didn’t seem to have the right people involved. It seemed narrowly political with not enough teachers; about four to five K-12 educators.”

Approximately 40 to 50 people were on the original task force. Some of the other members were firefighters and police chiefs. Broaddus claimed they needed more classroom teachers and principles across the state. Alongside a different composition of expertise and health professionals, he shared.

Damian Konkoly, president of the Hampden-Wilbraham Education Association, stated, “I believe that teachers should have been consulted more as they are the most immediate link. We were left waiting for guidance and advice for what would be the best. It wasn’t helpful.”

During such trying times, Konkoly believes that the burden has been left for school districts to handle. “They haven’t gone to bat to get us the funding we need. This adds more challenges to an already challenging time.” He added, “We need support in meeting the needs of students and families rather than meeting the needs of the state.”

Maureen Colgan-Posner, president of Springfield Education Association agreed, saying, “They were making decisions that were unsafe and were pushing to get everyone learning in person.”

With COVID-19 on the rise, DESE and Riley were not being considerate of its harsh effects, but rather focused on getting everything back to normal; even though normal is not attainable at the time, unions have asserted.

Konkoly asked, “How do you honestly assess students and teachers coming in from all different places?” He added he believes that the response time to the virus numbers is slow.

Many decisions that DESE has made are often taken back or altered, according to Colgan-Posner. She believes the students in her Springfield district have maintained a good schedule and are fully engaged through remote learning. Bringing them back in person will only make matters worse, she emphasized.

An ongoing debate and issue across the state is the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). Students are required to take this test which forms as a benchmark for their education.

After the shut down in March, a lot of days and time was lost. Broaddus believes the testing regulations should be taken off and describes it as a burden.

Colgan-Posner said, “They want to bus kids in to test them. MCAS should be waived for this year.”

Recently, Riley made a proposal to modify the MCAS that will be taken to the board on Jan. 26. However, Colgan-Posner is relieved to see that the senior mandate for this year's MCAS has been suspended. Instead, seniors will be able to use their coursework to meet the state’s needs.

Moving forward, Boaddus said there are many adjustments that need to be made and endless voices that need to be heard. He said, “I think there is a real opportunity for the commissioner and state board to reach out and open channels of communication, listen to each other, and put out expectations for what we need to do.”

Colgan-Posner informed that the next step is not determined but believes canceling MCAS, including metrics for safety, and if in person, proper COVID–19 testing and surveillance will be provided, then they’ll be headed in the right direction.

Konkoly closed by stating, “When you think about this, a lot of expertise among teachers are speaking up and saying we don’t have enough confidence in leadership; hopefully that says something.”