Contract Ratification Vote TOMORROW April 9th!

The ratification vote on the tentative contract agreement for SY’ 24-27 reached between the BTU Negotiating Team and BPS is TOMORROW, April 9th at the BTU Hall during our monthly membership meeting. The meeting begins at 4:30. The first half hour will be dedicated to standard business and the ratification portion will begin at 5pm.  Please bring your BTU membership card or a photo ID. We look forward to seeing a large turnout to send the message that BTU members are committed to securing improvements to the quality of education provided to all students, especially those with special needs.

This agreement was recommended unanimously by the BTU Executive Board, and moves us in the direction of creating equitable workplaces and classrooms. The agreement contains historic wage increases for our lowest-paid members, bringing the minimum salary for paras from $30,000 to $40,000 while also increasing personal days for paras and subs. It also ensures that teachers in grades K2-12 will no longer be excessed if they don’t have a special education license, makes all teachers eligible for tuition reimbursement of $1,000 annually and provides for additional early release days for students, allowing for PD time for staff during the work day. The tentative agreement also includes significant wage increases of at least 9% on base pay for all other members of the bargaining unit, along with many other improvements.

If you would like to learn more about the specifics of the package, you can visit btu.org/bargaining. Otherwise, here is the MOA, the plain language summary as well as a one-page summary. If the contract is ratified, wages will be fully retroactive to the start of the 2024-2025.

On Inclusion, this package includes enforceable language which requires the district to assign an additional licensed teacher to classrooms with a high number of students requiring IEP services. For the first time, we have secured guarantees that will improve service delivery to students and support the members who have strained to comply with the district’s expectation that one teacher should provide the work of multiple educators.

The BTU staff has put together this FAQ Document to address any questions leading up to the vote.

Double Deduction, Solidarity Actions and VOTE for Retirement Board

Please see the information below regarding the upcoming Double Deduction for Health Insurance schedule for SY ’24-25 for anyone who receives 22 paychecks. If you are in this category, the City will take double the typical health insurance deduction to cover the summer period when you don’t receive paychecks.

This is the last week to vote for the open position on the Boston Retirement Board. The BTU and RTC have unanimously endorsed Elissa Cadillic. We strongly encourage you to vote as the 5-member Board is responsible for delivering retirement benefits to all City of Boston employees. All current and retired Boston municipal workers are eligible to vote. If you have not received a ballot, please call the number 866-384-9978. There is also an option to vote online.

A Message from the BTU Election Committee:

The in-person primary for our Executive Board will be on May 7th. Ballots were mailed out on April 5th. There will be 27 names on the ballot, the top 24 will be on the final ballot. You may vote for up to 12 candidates (number of E Board positions). Return your ballot by mail as soon as possible, they are due by May 6th.

You may contact ombudsperson Danielle Fraine with questions or concerns at electioncommittee@btu.org. Next meeting is April 28th 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 Teach Conference 2025. Go to D.C. with the BTU! – FRIDAY DEADLINE

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. For more information see the conference website. Apply Today! Deadline THIS FRIDAY April 11th

Calling all K0 and K1 educators!

We would like to mobilize our members who have been working with students in this age group as we continue to elevate your needs with the district. Join us in convening a NEW group of our K0/K1 educators who would like to advocate for improvements. Please click here to show your interest.

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.

The Bilingual Educator/Accelerated Community to Teacher Program open now to April 11th

The Bilingual Educator/Accelerated Community to Teacher Program (BE/ACTT) is a no-cost, in-district, multigenerational, community-based teacher preparation program. We encourage BPS paras and substitutes who wish to become teachers to apply! SY25-26 Applications are now live! Contact Ivelisse Santos-Hicks with questions: santoshicks@bostonpublicshools.org

FREE BPS Licensure Program – Applications due April 11

We are currently accepting applications for the BPS Teaching Fellowship, which is a free, one-year educator preparation program designed for teachers on waivers, emergency license, or provisional license to get initial licensure in either ESL or Moderate Disabilities (note: this would also allow for initial licensure in your subject area pending any other requirements from DESE). More info and application found here: https://www.teachboston.org/bpsteachingfellowship

Teacher Day at the Gardner Museum: April 12th & June 7th, 9-11am

Experience a day of peace and inspiration at the Gardner Museum, free of cost. This special event, co-sponsored by the Boston Teachers Union, is specially designed for Boston Public Schools teachers of all student ages and subjects, and offers interactive gallery visits, mindfulness experiences, and a delightful breakfast. Relax, connect, and rejuvenate yourself. Retired educators are welcome! Please RSVP to let us know that you will attend. Contact Elementary Field Rep. Caitlin Gaffny cgaffny@btu.org with any questions.

APALA Convention: Application deadline April 15th

This year’s convention will be held from June 26-29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Priority will be given to those who are active in the APALA MA chapter, identify as AAPI and/or have not attended in the past. All BTU members, including paraprofessionals, ABAs, and substitute teachers are eligible to apply. The BTU will pay for registration, a set average cost for the travel and hotel cost. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Cross at kcross@btu.org. Please Click here to apply.

Haitian Educators Committee Meeting: April 28, 5:00-6:30pm

Please join us for our next monthly meeting in-person on Monday April 28th, at 5:00 pm. We will have a lot to discuss regarding the Haitian community domestic and abroad as it is a difficult time right now for a lot of us. Please arrive on time and ready to participate. For any questions and location please contact Bianca Pierre at bpierre74@gmail.com

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

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).

New BTU Reading Advocates Group

Are you passionate about reading instruction in BPS? Do you believe in strong reading instruction for all students, and strong supports that allow all educators to make it happen? To build on the work that BTU members are already championing around the district, join us in convening a new group to advocate for reading within the BTU. If you’re curious about (or already invested in) the movement to improve reading instruction in this country, please consider joining us! All BTU members are welcome, and click HERE to get involved.

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!

Educator Night at the Red Sox: May 16th

We have tickets for sale to the Red Sox vs the Braves at Fenway park on May 16th at 7:10pm. Tickets are in the Right Field Grand Stand, Section 3, price is $55.00 each. There is a free Quarter Zip with each ticket purchased to be picked up at the park the night of the game. You can fill out the form and a PayPal link will be forwarded to pay for your tickets. Tickets are not guaranteed until Payment is received. Feel free to reach out to Michelle at the office or mfrank@btu.org with questions or concerns!

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!

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
• Climate Change in the City: Place-based Science in Boston Harbor
• “Witnessing Black America through the Art of John Wilson” Educator Workshop Thursday, April 10, 4:30-6:30pm; MFA Boston; Free
• AI Staff & Teacher Survey
• America 250: Supporting Teaching and Learning
• Independence and Agency in a Productive Learning Environment in Early Childhood Learning Site on 4/9
• Telescope Learning Site: Focus Text Talks for Comprehension
• New Sections of Required 12 Hour Inclusive Ed Course Added

Community Events

Apex for Youth Program: Application Deadline May 31st

We are now recruiting 8th-11th grade students for our free National Virtual Mentoring Program (NVMP), which connects students nationwide with dedicated mentors for 1:1 support, career guidance, and more. To date, we’ve matched 69 students across 16 states with mentors who undergo thorough vetting to ensure the best experience for all involved.

CitySprouts Fifth Quarter Job Opportunities!

CitySprouts is excited to be hosting Fifth Quarter learning for rising 5th and 6th graders at the Higginson Lewis School. We will be hiring a site coordinator as well as two teachers through BPS, and site leads through CitySprouts. We encourage anyone who believes in hands-on, nature-based learning to apply. Please also encourage your students to apply! If you have any questions, check out the CitySprouts website and/or reach out to Melissa Wender at mwender@citysprouts.org.

Better Budget Alliance—People’s Budget Survey

What do our neighborhoods need? Take our Survey. Boston’s People’s Budget is a community-led process in which residents put forward a proposal for the city budget. Learn more and join us!

Thank You for Reading

Please send your comments and questions to us at bulletin@btu.org, or call the BTU at 617-288-2000.