HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Holyoke teachers said they are tired of being a “training ground” for neighboring school districts. As contract negotiations between the city and the Holyoke Teachers Association hit a stalemate, the focus is shifting from dollars and cents to the stability of the classroom. The union said this “revolving door” of staff is hurting the kids most.

Negotiations have been ongoing for nearly two years — but HTA President Nick Cream said the real issue is a 25 to 30 percent teacher turnover rate every year. he said new teachers often stay for a couple of years to get experience, then leave for districts like Chicopee where they get more sick time, shorter days, and higher pay, “and that ends up really hurting our students. And we have about 50 to 60% of our people; our teachers are like first, second or third year teachers, you know? And like I said, it’s not about them. It’s about the fact that if you have, you know, so many of those folks in your district, it just makes it hard to give kids a high-quality education.”

Meanwhile Holyoke Mayor Josh Garcia said the school committee has a “strong proposal” on the table that addresses compensation and safety while remaining fiscally responsible. But the union said without better incentives to stay, the cycle of teachers leaving will only continue.

Teachers and community members are planning to take their message to the streets Friday. There is a picket scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in front of the school department, followed by a May Day rally at Heritage State Park at 4:30 p.m.

We heard the mayor mentioned on Facebook earlier this week he’s “relieved” there won’t be a strike. Is that still the case from the union’s side?

Union President Nick Cream reaffirmed today that they have no intention of striking at this time. They are focused on the rally tomorrow to show public support rather than walking out of the classrooms.