1. Doubles the number of charter schools in Boston, draining a potential additional $49.5 million from our schools. Currently charters drain $49.5 million. Doubling the number of charters would bring the yearly loss to $98 million. That's $98 million that would otherwise go to our schools. Look at it this way: $98 million is roughly $1,800 per BPS student. Just imagine if our own schools had that money to spend on resources for our own students!
2. Gives superintendents the right to terminate unilaterally an unlimited number of teachers and staff in what are termed 'underperforming' schools.

A little more detail about 'underperforming' schools and what will happen under the proposed law. All quotes are taken verbatim from the Senate Bill.

What is an 'underperforming' school?

"Schools that score in the lowest 20 per cent statewide in the combined composite performance index scores on the English language arts and mathematics. Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exams shall be deemed eligible for designation as underperforming or chronically-underperforming status."

That's a lot of Boston schools.

What happens to the teachers, principals, and other staff in an 'underperforming' school?

"The superintendent may, after considering the recommendations of the group of stakeholders...following consultation with applicable local unions, require the principal and all administrators, teachers and staff to reapply for their positions in the school, with full discretion vested in the superintendent regarding his consideration of and decisions on rehiring based on the reapplications ."

The earlier version of this provision gave teachers and staff a 12-month period with which to find a position. This version appears to give no such grace period, instead giving superintendents the unilateral right (the 'full discretion')to terminate someone at will.

What will the 'new' school look like?

It will be a dictatorship. "If the superintendent considers it necessary to maximize the rapid academic achievement of students at the school by altering the compensation, hours and working conditions of the administrators, teachers and staff at the school or by altering other provisions of a contract or collective bargaining."

What if the teachers, staff and their union do not agree with the proposed changes?

"(If)an agreement is not reached or the agreement has not been so ratified 10 days after its completion, the employer shall have the authority to declare an impasse and unilaterally implement his last, best offer concerning proposed changes to the collective bargaining agreement provided, however, that the employer shall not reduce the compensation and benefits of any administrator,
teacher or staff member unless the hours of such person are proportionately reduced."

All members should have received a phone call last Thursday night via an automated service. All told, 83% of the 10,600 calls made were satisfactorily completed either to a 'live' body or voice mail. If you did not get a call, you may want to verify that we have your correct phone number. We also sent out a letter, first class, Friday night to a similar group of our members. We have alerted all of our members--whether they're active, on leave or retired--because we would like all to make phone calls to their legislators. AFT Mass lobbyists are on Beacon Hill every day lobbying for our cause. Our phone calls are needed to support their effort.

Please Give us five minutes: Please phone and email

What can you do ? Please get on the telephone and call your state representative and state senator and demand that our collective bargaining rights not be taken away . Here's your state senator's phone nu mber ?  Your state rep's.   If you want to find out who to call, see here.


Please also send an email from the BTU site. It's very easy , and will take you no more than one minute. Type in your name and address and an email goes out automatically to your particular state rep., your state senator, and the leaders of both chambers. Please don't forget to call also! Thank you for your efforts.

The Flexible Spending Account and the Pre-Tax Transportation plan are tremendous opportunities for you to enhance your benefits package. Most employees pay for expenses such as dependent care expenses, out-of-pocket medical/dental expenses, parking fees, and mass transit expenses on an after tax-basis.  These programs allow you to set aside a portion of your paycheck tax-free to pay for those expenses. The result is a reduction in Federal, State and Social Security taxes, which will give you an increase in your take home pay. Don't miss out on this opportunity to save between 28-34% in taxes. Over 600 of our employees use this program to their advantage, with more joining each year. If you would like to hear more about this benefit today please call Cafeteria Plan Advisors, Inc. at 1-800-544-2340 or visit their website.

• You can call CPA, Inc. @ 1-800-544-2340
• Download a form ; print form dedicated to the City of Boston. Mail the form back to CPA, Inc. by 11/30.

• An individual must have a minimum of ten (10) years of continuous service in the Boston Public Schools.  
• An individual must meet the minimum age requirement of fifty-five (55) years.  
• Eligible employees (meeting #1 and #2 above) presently on paid or unpaid leave of absence can apply.
• The application, once accepted by the Office of Human Resources by execution of the Separation Agreement, is binding on both parties and irrevocable.
• Applicants understand that the termination must be effective between June 30, 2010 and August 31, 2010.
• Applicants further understand that they will not be eligible for unemployment compensation and acceptance of this incentive shall not affect any rights of a member under the Teacher Retirement Law.
• Application deadline:  Application form must be filed with the Office of Human Resources by the close of business on Friday, December 18, 2009.  
• Payment:  If accepted, a one-time payment of $1,500 will be made by January 22,  2010.
• Individuals planning to retire must also file an "Intent to Retire" form with the City of Boston Retirement Board.  The incentive application does not replace this process. 

• S.1060, the Maternity Bill, will give to those who retired prior to Sept. 2000 the right to add up to 4 years to their creditable service as long as they do not exceed 80%.
• H3448 the reduction of the Option B and Option C penalties to the rate established in July 2004 for new retirees. 2004 reduced the Option B penalty from 3% to 1% and cut approximately in half the Option C penalty. We want this extended to those who were retired as of that date.
• H2535 the Retirement Security Bill will also be heard that day. It would take the years of service times the years retired times two and give that amount to all retired by January 1990.

• Create meaningful friendships with Dominican and Haitian girls ages 13-18
• Plunge into Dominican culture and the Spanish language while team-teaching with Dominican and Haitian teachers and mothers, modeling positive teaching strategies that they can implement in their own homes and classrooms
• Jump from waterfalls and swim in crystal clear pools of water at the 27 Waterfalls of Damajaguas
• Trip Dates: July 10, 2010 to August 7, 2010
• Accommodations within the local community (homestay or apartment, additional fees apply)
• 4 week summer school and camp intervention program to benefit at-risk adolescent girls
• 1 educational excursions, outside of camp

• Dec. 9, 2009  from 6 - 10 PM   
• The Common Market, 97 Willard St.,  Quincy, Ma.
• Cost  $40
• Please send checks made out to The Condon School  by Nov.  30th.
• JF Condon School (attn.  Ann McLaughlin), 200 D St., So. Boston, Ma.   02127