| Good Morning,
We hope that all had a good Memorial Day weekend. We offer our deepest gratitude to the BTU members and families who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country. Thank you.
This Thursday evening, May 29, community members, students and staff of Codman Academy and Neighborhood House charter schools are meeting at 6 Norfolk Street in Dorchester at 5pm to rally in support of their fight for fair contract. Staff members at both charter schools independently chose to unionize with the BTU within the past year and a half.
Workers at both schools have dedicated hundreds of hours to internal organizing, public advocacy and contract negotiations. They sought out the BTU for support and were welcomed with open arms at our membership meetings. Now, it’s time to put action behind our words this Thursday evening and demonstrate to administrators that these workers have the full support of the BTU and their communities. Let us know if you can show up to support students and workers rights!
10-minute meeting reminder
All schools will soon be holding 10-minute meetings to share vital information about the consequences of the Trump Administration’s attempt to completely undermine public education and worker’s rights. It also contains resources on what the BTU, AFT MA and the AFT are doing, and how you can engage to fight back. Please be on the lookout for information about this 10-minute meeting at your school.
FINAL REMINDER: Deadline for Paraprofessional paycheck schedule decision this Monday, June 2nd.
Paraprofessionals have the option to choose to have their yearly pay follow a bi-weekly 26 paycheck schedule. The deadline to opt-in to this pay schedule is June 2nd, 2025. You can find more information in this Superintendent Circular. You can access the required form here.
Professional Development Planning for SY ’25-26
It’s the time of year for schools to plan their PD calendar and content for next year. We have created an FAQ which includes the major changes for next year’s scheduling process including the information about the two new early release days. Please contact Paul (ptritter@btu.org) for support or with questions.
AFT MA front and center in fight to preserve US Department of Education
On May 22nd, in a response to a lawsuit filed by AFT Massachusetts and 6 other allied organizations, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction which will temporarily halt the Trump Administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education. The lawsuit was the first to challenge President Trump and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s widespread firings at the department which was an attempt to essentially shutter the agency without receiving legally required congressional approval. This not only gutted the department of the staff levels necessary to operate, but greatly decimated the crucial services and protections millions of students, teachers, and communities across the country rely on.
“While today’s decision will provide some relief, the damage is already being felt in our schools – by our students, especially the most vulnerable, and our educators,” said American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang. “We have the utmost confidence in the virtue and facts of our case. The White House is not above the law and we will never stop fighting on behalf of our students and our public schools and the protections, services, and resources they need to thrive.”
Read more about the lawsuit and AFT MA’s ongoing efforts to protect public education. |
