PHS Student Demonstration
Hundreds of students at Princeton High School (PHS) walked out of their classes last Thursday, April 23, in order to demonstrate their support for teachers who have been embroiled in contract negotiations with the district for the best part of a year. The peaceful walkout “was to draw attention to the issue of the teacher’s lack of contracts and the board’s lack of cooperation in negotiating a fair contract,” said senior student organizer Catherine Curran-Groome. “We also wanted to demonstrate that the students at PHS care deeply about how our teachers are treated.” Senior Crystal Abbott alerted Town Topics to the demonstration. “Our beloved teachers are doing everything within their power to both support the students and establish a fair contract that gives them the benefits that they deserve,” she said. Students began leaving the PHS building around 12:25 p.m. to gather on the front lawn. Some students held homemade signs during the peaceful demonstration and most returned to their classrooms shortly after 1 p.m. Teachers, who have been working under the terms of an expired contract since June 30, 2014, have stopped performing tasks for which they are not paid such as student clubs and field trips. In spite of reported progress, negotiations continue with the help of a state-appointed mediator. (Photo by Jennifer Lea Cohan)