MA Teachers Union Protesting Attempts To Fire Falmouth Teacher

FALMOUTH, MA — Educators from across Massachusetts said they will protest Falmouth school administrators over attempts to fire the president of the Falmouth Educators' Association.

The Massachusetts Teachers Association will hold a rally at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday outside the Falmouth Public Schools District Office to support association President Lori Andrade. According to MTA officials, Superintendent Lori Duerr placed Andrade on paid leave in April when she filed contractual grievances on behalf of teachers, union officials said. Duerr has since signaled her intention to fire Andrade, according to union officials.

Duerr told the Cape Cod Times she took disciplinary action Andrade following an independent investigation. According to Duerr, the investigation found Andrade retaliated against a Falmouth school employee who filed a harassment complaint against her.

A spokesperson for the Falmouth Educator's Association denied Andrade did anything wrong and accused Duerr of bullying her.

"Lori Andrade is dedicated to the success and safety of students in Falmouth Public Schools," the association said in a statement. "She advocated for the best possible learning and working conditions throughout the pandemic and did nothing to violate district policy. Superintendent Duerr is bullying Andrade and creating a toxic work environment. Duerr is also wasting district resources on legal actions and investigations as she dismantles a once healthy working relationship between the FEA and school administrators."