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Value our Teachers

I thank the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) for voting to support the teachers’ contract at its January meeting. This vote not only pays our teachers for educating our children in hard times but also saves the town the high cost of arbitration fees.

The vote was very close: 14 to 13. All Democrats and two Republicans voted in favor of the contract. Note: To vote against the contract could set off a costly town-paid arbitration process.

There was much debate in the meeting. Despite saying they support education, many Republicans on the RTM do not appear to value our teachers or the work they do. For our children’s education, it is important to keep our teachers’ salaries competitive.

Catherine S. Jackson

Branford