Published On: April 30, 2025

National Day of Action May 1st
Sign up here to let us know if you can attend and/or serve as a rally marshal!
Good Morning,

Welcome back! The New England weather wizards were kind enough to bless us with actual spring. We hope you had an opportunity to rest, recuperate and have some fun.

May Day Rally and Contract Updates:

On May 1st, the BTU will be participating in nationwide “May Day” demonstrations in protest of the Trump Administration’s continued efforts to violate the rights of working people and underfund public education. The rally will be held at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, beginning at 5:30 PM. We hope to have a large and raucous BTU contingent at this demonstration, please let us know if you plan to attend! We are also looking for volunteers to serve as marshals who will help with directing members and coordinating with our partners.

At their April 16th meeting, the Boston School Committee unanimously voted to approve our contract agreement with BPS. The agreement will now be considered by the Boston City Council which must vote on whether to approve the funding. The Council is expected to hold a public hearing on the contract on May 2 and then vote on appropriating the funding within the first two weeks of May. If the Council votes to approve the funding for the agreement, then the terms will be in effect immediately and be retroactive to September 1, 2024.

BPS administrators have not provided a date for when new wage rates would be implemented for the current school year, but we will advocate for the soonest possible implementation and keep you posted. We will also be actively advocating for members to receive back pay as soon as possible. You can find a copy of the agreement and a summary of its terms on our website.
Advocating for additional state aid for students:

On April 16th, the BTU joined teachers, parents, and other members of the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance (MEJA) for an education justice advocacy day. Educators, activists, parents and students from across the state visited legislators and their staff to advocate for an increase in state education funding.
The Governor’s current budget proposal for state aid to Boston included a small decrease in net funding. Due to our advocacy, the House budget is slightly better, but still only increases state education funding to Boston by less than 1% at a time when BPS enrollment has finally begun to stabilize. As the city wades into uncertain financial waters, it is imperative for state leaders to support its largest city and school district. We strongly urge you to contact your state legislator to ask for increased state aid to the Boston Public Schools.

The Trump Administration’s education policies are pursuing initiatives that are hostile to public education and harmful to our students. On April 1st, Trump cancelled more than 100 million dollars of previously approved funding earmarked largely for improving the state’s crumbling school buildings, including over $3M in funding for BPS.

On Friday April 25th, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell sued the Trump Administration for threatening to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding unless Massachusetts agrees to dismantle any equity-focused programs for students or educators. Her lawsuit comes a day after our national union, the AFT won a temporary injunction challenging the same policy in a separate lawsuit. The judge in that case ruled the Trump Administration was in danger of violating the Constitution if it continued to pursue enforcement.
Those rulings are positive signs that we can prevent potentially disastrous policies if we fight together. We have the responsibility and the power to protect and support Massachusetts’ students. Our state lawmakers need to embrace this challenge and provide more funding.  According to the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, the state has consistently
underestimated the tax revenue generated by the Fair Share Amendment- which was a ballot measure approved by voters to tax high-income earners and dedicate that revenue to education and transportation. That revenue must be used to provide much needed funds to Massachusetts’ public schools.
Retirement Board Election Results:

 

Congratulations to Boston Firefighter and local 718 Treasurer Sean Kelly on winning the recent special election for a seat on the Boston Retirement Board. Sean will join BTU Secretary-Treasurer Karen Cross as one of two elected labor representatives on the board. We look forward to working together to advocate for an increase to Cost of Living Adjustments for our retired city workers.

The BTU offers its deep appreciation to Elissa Cadillic who received the unanimous endorsement from the BTU membership. Elissa ran a competitive race and we thank her for her effort and time.

 

Pay Period for Paras & CFCs: If any Paraprofessional or Community Family Coordinator wishes to change their pay schedule from 21 to 26 paychecks, then please make sure to fill out this form by June 2nd. For more information, please refer to this BPS circular.
Thank you to former BTU President Richard Stutman for leading an informational session on the overturn of the federal WEP/GPO policies for members of our Retired Teachers Chapter!

 
BTU Elementary Field Rep. Caitlin Gaffny and Political Director Johnny McInnis testified before the School Committee on April 16th ahead of the Committee’s unanimous vote in support of SY ’24-’27 contract.

Message from the BTU Election Committee

Mail in your ballots for the Primary Election! Mail-in allots are due by May 6th, in-person voting will occur at the BTU Hall on May 7th from 8-6pm! There will be 27 names on the ballot, the top 24 will be on the final ballot in June. Please vote for up to 12 names (number of E Board positions).

If you do not receive your ballot or need a replacement ballot please call the vendor hotline MK Elections (203)-403-8401

Videos for all of our candidates are available on the Member Portal, as well as the video from our Candidates Night. Please check them out!

You may contact ombudsperson Danielle Fraine with questions or concerns at electioncommittee@btu.org. Next meeting is May 25th at 5:00 pm at the BTU. Members are welcome to attend and ask questions during the first 15 minutes of the meetings. Contact mfrank@btu.org with any questions about your membership status.

BTU Events and Announcements

AFT Webinar: Student Debt Clinic via Zoom on April 30th

The AFT is continuing its Student Debt Webinar series with a Zoom meeting TOMORROW from 7-830pm. Zoom in to receive the most up to date information on repayment options and potential consequences of the Trump Administration’s student loan policies. Register Here

 

NAEP is Hiring

The National Assessment of Educational Progress is looking to hire in-school data collectors for national assessments for grades 4,8 and 12 for the time period of January 26 to March 20, 2026. For more information, please visit www.WorkNAEP.com

LAST CHANCE: AFT Teach Conference 2025. Go to D.C. with the BTU!

We are accepting applications for the waitlist to join the BTU’s delegation to TEACH, our national union’s biannual professional development conference. Join thousands of educators from across the country to learn about professional issues, policy challenges, and classroom strategies. Members of the BTU’s delegation receive conference registration, shared hotel room in Washington, D.C. and reimbursement for travel. The BTU will select up to 40 members to attend, with priority given to members who have not attended in the past. Several members will be chosen from the waitlist. For more information see the conference website. Apply Today! Deadline this Thursday May 1st 11:59pm

Join your local Democratic party and/or run to be a State Democratic Party Delegate!

As we work as a union to build the power to move the needle on education policies, you can help by attending your local Democratic Party Ward or Town Caucus this month and next month and/or by running to be a delegate to the Massachusetts State Democratic Party Convention next September! The Mass AFL-CIO is making a push to get union members statewide to run– if you think you’d be interested, you can click here to join their effort and find out when your ward or town caucus is happening.

New BTU ABA Classrooms Group

Are you interested in collaborating with colleagues who work in ABA strand classrooms? Please fill out this interest form to join a growing group of ABA Classroom Colleagues! We will discuss action plans to address shared concerns including class size numbers, staffing ratios, and more. This is welcome to all teachers, strand specialists, paraprofessionals, ABAs, related service providers, COSEs, and anyone else affiliated with an ABA class.

Join the Climate Week of Action, April 28-May 2

Join us to celebrate Earth Day/Month in a Climate Week of Action April 28- May 2. Help us elevate understanding of climate change and empower our young people to work together to save our planet. Curriculum Resources here (add link – read only). Submit a social media post of Earth Month activities at your school to photos@btu.org to be entered into a raffle to win three, grade level appropriate books for your classroom or school library on climate justice topics. Be sure to include your name, school, and grade level with your post so we can enter you in the raffle. Learn more information here!
The Teacher Leadership Fund: What challenge do you want to solve? FINAL DEADLINE MAY 1ST

Grants of up to $15,000 are available for teams of educators who want to work together to create solutions to challenges that impact our students. Grantee teams also benefit from working in community with other educators across the district and receiving support throughout project implementation. For complete information about the program including application and guidelines, bit.ly/TLFund2025. Info at bit.ly/bpsbtutlfund

 

BE/ACTT Application: Deadline May 1st

Do you want to become a teacher in BPS? If so, you should apply to BPS’s free teacher preparation program, BE/ACTT. It is a great program for paras, CFCs, career changers, and others who want to become BPS teachers. You do not need to be bilingual to participate. Check out this website for more information and access to the application

BPS AI Fellows Program: Application Due May 2nd

Boston Public Schools is launching the AI Fellows Program for Spring & Summer 2025, inviting innovative BPS teachers, coaches, and specialists to explore responsible and equitable classroom use of BPS-approved generative AI tools through professional learning, action research, and case study development. Participants will receive a stipend for up to 15 hours of work and contribute to shaping district-wide AI practices aligned with UDL, HQIM, and multilingual learner support — apply by May 2nd by submitting a resume and short statement of interest at https://bostonpublicschools.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5124094

Bilingual Education in BPS: Community Voices from Busing to Today: May 13th

This event hosted by St. Stephen’s Youth Programs is a community forum that brings together parents, educators, and advocates to reflect on the ongoing fight for quality public education for immigrant children in Boston. From the desegregation era to today’s push for multilingual programs, immigrant communities have always led the struggle for justice in our schools. Click here to learn more and register!

3rd Annual BPS STEAMfest & Innovation Challenge: May 31, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

The 3rd Annual BPS STEAMfest will feature the BPS Innovation Challenge where students will present their STEAM projects. There will be hands-on activities for students and families of all ages. Lunch, raffles, prizes and more! To learn how you and your students can participate in the Innovation Challenge, visit bit.ly/bps-steamfest or contact Marcus Penny (mpenny@bostonpublicschools.org).

 

Help Shape the Future of PreK–2 Report Cards!

The BPS Early Childhood Department is redesigning the PreK–2nd Grade report cards—and we need your voice! The BTU and Early Childhood are holding two educator input and feedback sessions, one in person and one on zoom. Join either a virtual and/or in-person session to share your experience and insights. These sessions are open to all educators who contribute to report cards for K0-2nd grade including Paraprofessionals. Interested? Please fill out this Google Form, and we’ll send the invite!

Summer Organizing Institute August 13-14!

Join us “Meeting the Moment, Building the Movement” our annual Summer Organizing Institute open to all BTU members to help build our skills to organize and bargain; dive deep on the issues impacting our schools; and take action together in a fun and engaging two days of sharing and learning. RSVP today!

BTU End of Year Party (The Last Bell): Saturday, June 7th, 5-9pm at Lawn on D

Calling all BTU members! Join us for the BTU’s annual End of Year Party (The Last Bell) being hosted at the Lawn on D (420 D St. Boston, MA 02210) on Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 5-9pm. Please note this event is for MEMBERS ONLY! This evening of fun will have games, food, drinks, and swag! You won’t want to miss out! Register here!
Click here to learn more and register!

Professional Learning & Development Updates

Each week, we have many new and exciting Professional Learning & Development opportunities to share with you. You can find a full description of each listing on our Professional Learning & Development Updates Page.

  • Connect & Share Sessions on “Access to Fishtank for Multilingual Learners
  • Multilingual Learners Math Learning Site
  • Building Independence and Agency in a Productive Learning Environment Learning Site
  • Telescope Learning Site: Focus Text Talks for Comprehension
  • New Sections of Required 12 Hour Inclusive Ed Course Added
  • Telescope Connect & Share: “Early Childhood Inclusive Environments”: May 13th, 5:30-7:00PM on Zoom
  • Aspire & Inspire Educator Symposium, May 22nd, 5:00-7:00pm

Community Events

People’s Forum on Graduation Readiness: April 30th at 6pm at Cambridge Rindge and Latin

Citizens for Public Schools, in cooperation with other education organizations, is organizing a series of six public forums across the state where parents, teachers, students, and other people concerned with our public schools can come together to discuss what the new state high school graduation requirements should be. Register here.

 

Licensed Educators: Earn $4,500 this Summer

Trinity Education for Excellence Program is a 5 week-course open to the public. TEEP ELA and Math Teachers will be responsible for teaching rising 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students from Monday – Thursday during our 5-week summer program (July 7 – August 8). The TEEP Summer ELA Teacher must also complete TEEP staff training (June 30 – July 3) prior to the start of summer session. Interested educators can send a cover letter and resume to Morgan Beckford, Youth Development & Leadership Pathway Director at

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