BTU General Election Underway:

Use your voice, fill out your ballot

Message from the BTU Election Committee

The BTU General Election is under way now! This is your opportunity to express YOUR voice in the direction of your Union so please make a plan to vote! Please visit the member portal to hear video statements from our candidates. You can also find a recording of Candidates Night in the portal.

Ballots have been mailed to active and retired members. Ballots must be received at the Post Office by June 3rd so we strongly encourage you to mail your ballot as soon as possible. Ballots can NOT be dropped off at the union hall. Please read all directions carefully. Place your completed ballot into the postage paid return envelope and mail it back to the Post Office.

You can vote for up to 12 candidates for the Executive Board. Your ballot will have only one field rep position (elementary, secondary or para/sub/ABA). In person voting will be June 4th 8am-6pm.

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

Please check out all of the Election Committee resources. Candidates should review the Election Committee Campaigning Rules and Procedures.

You may contact ombudsperson Danielle Fraine with questions or concerns at electioncommittee@btu.org. The next meeting of the Election Committee is June 16th 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.

The past few months have proven that labor unions in this state and country still have the power to beat back powerful actors attempting to violate civil rights and suppress dissent. All of us, together, will play an important role over the coming years in preserving the rights of workers we’ve fought so hard to secure.

The stakes and the incessant pace of change can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, we are not in this fight alone. 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.

Local Elections

2025 is an election year for the City of Boston, and this is an opportunity for the BTU to continue to support candidates that will protect public education and labor rights.

The Boston Teachers Union is proud to endorse the following candidates for Boston City Council:

Boston City Council at Large: City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, and Councilor Julia Mejia; District 1 Councilor Gabriela Coletta-Zapata;, District 2 Councilor Ed Flynn;, District 3 Councilor John FitzGerald; District 4 Councilor Brian Worrell; and District 6 Councilor Ben Weber

Each candidate completed a questionnaire and was interviewed by our COPE Committee. Once the COPE Committee voted to endorse a candidate, the E-Board voted in support and from there, our membership voted for the final endorsement. This rigorous process requires at least a two-thirds vote of approval from each body.

Over the coming months, we will support these candidates through various avenues. We will share events for our members to meet with them, canvass, phone bank, and inform our membership why we support them. If you’d like to support these candidates, please sign up to join the BTU Electoral Action Team (BEAT)!

We are continuing to interview additional candidates and may announce additional endorsements for City of Boston elections in the coming months. Stay tuned!

Important Paraprofessional Pay Schedule Information

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.

Tuition Opportunity for Undocumented Immigrants

Mayor Michelle Wu recently partnered with 11 community organizations to increase awareness about the Tuition Equity Law. The law creates an additional pathway for undocumented students who meet specific criteria to qualify for in-state tuition rates at Massachusetts public colleges and universities. For more information, check out this message from the city’s office of Immigrant Advancement.

BTU Organizer Position Posted

In BTU news, our longtime amazing organizer, Jonathan Rodrigues, is leaving the BTU at the end of the school year. We will miss Jonathan’s dedication, intelligence, and deep commitment to BTU members very much, and wish him and his family well in the future! The BTU will be seeking a new organizer, and we encourage applications. BTU members or others with organizing experience who are interested in the Organizer position should apply here.

Governor’s K-12 Graduation Council is seeking feedback from YOU!

In the wake of the voters’ approval of Question 2, which ended the use of the MCAS as a graduation requirement, Governor Healey established a Statewide Graduation Council to study the issue of graduation requirements in Massachusetts and to develop a set of recommendations for a new statewide standard for high school graduation. As part of this initiative, the K-12 Statewide Graduation Council is hosting six regional and virtual listening sessions to gather feedback directly from communities, including students, families, educators, administrators, higher education experts, the business community, and the public.

The Greater Boston Area Listening Session is scheduled on Wednesday, May 28 from 5-7 PM at Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave. in Somerville.  We strongly encourage BTU members to make your voices heard at this important session. This session is open to all members of the public and we invite you to share this information with your network.

The listening session will focus on receiving feedback and input on our essential question: “What should it mean to graduate from high school in Massachusetts?”

BTU Events and Announcements

NEW! BPS seeking input on AI Guidelines: Answers due June 1st

BPS is in the process of updating its guidance on AI use by staff, educators, and students. The district is inviting all BPS staff to submit feedback on our guidelines draft. Short on time? You can provide feedback for the section(s) you have reviewed if you are not able to read the entire document. Feedback is due by June 1st. Here is the form to submit your input.

BTU Group on Multilingual Education: First Meeting: May 28th, 4:30-5:30pm on Zoom

All BTU members are invited to join a growing group colleagues who are passionate about educating and and advocating for Multilingual Learners. The first meeting will be on Wednesday, May 28th from 4:30-5:30 on Zoom. Please fill out the interest form to get the Zoom link.

BTU Working Group of Educators in Extended Learning Time Schools

Calling all ELT School Educators!!! Join us in convening a NEW working group of our ELT school educators who would like to come together to advocate for needs they are experiencing in their practice. Fill out this interest form and look for a meeting at the end of this month. Contact Elementary Field Rep Caitlin Gaffny with questions.

BTU Pre-K Classrooms Group First Meeting: May 20th 5-6 on Zoom

The new BTU group focused on Pre-K classrooms will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, May 20th from 5-6pm on Zoom. If you have not yet completed the interest form, please do and you will be added to the calendar invite. Everyone who has shown interest will also get updates from the meeting. If you have questions you can reach out to Caitlin Gaffny at cgaffny@btu.org or Katie DeLaRosa at kdelarosa@btu.org.

BTU Reading Group First Meeting: May 29th, 7-8pm on Zoom

The BTU has convened a group of educators and experts who are interested in improving reading instruction in schools. The first meeting is May 29th. Please fill out this form to receive a calendar invite. Everyone who has shown interest will also get updates from the meeting. If you have questions you can reach out to Steven Benjamin at steven.benjamin188@gmail.com or Katie DeLaRosa at kdelarosa@btu.org.

NEW! BTU Unafraid Educators Committee: Immigrants Rights Action Week, May 19-23

The BTU Unafraid Educators Committee is collaborating with the BPS Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education to celebrate immigrant communities as well as fight for their equitable rights in Boston and beyond. You can find a full explanation of events here.

NEW! Paraprofessional Informational Meeting: May 20th at BTU Hall

The BTU is hosting an informational session for at the BTU Hall starting at 5pm. This session is dedicated to answering YOUR questions. All paras are welcome to attend to seek guidance for their personal situations as well as learn more about upcoming changes related to our new contract terms.

BLS YouthCAN Climate Summit – May 24

Boston Latin School’s Youth Climate Action Network (BLS YouthCAN), is holding their annual Youth Climate Summit at the MIT Stata Center on May 24th. This year’s theme is Credit or Debit: The True Cost of Carbon Offsetting. The event is intended for middle and high school students and connects youth climate leaders from across the state, features educational workshops from leading non-profits, organizations, and school clubs and provides a fun day of education and action. Check out the flyer and the registration form

SY25-26 Inclusion Planning Team Elections

The updated SY25-26 guidance for Inclusion Planning Teams is now available. All schools must have an IPT and each member of the team should confirm at the end of each year whether they would like to continue to serve. After two years of service, that seat must be open to election and the member may choose to run and continue to serve if elected. Please reach out to Katie DeLaRosa or your regional inclusion coach with any questions.

The BTU Housing Justice Committee is hosting an Access to Counsel Information and Advocacy Hour! Access to Counsel provides legal services to BPS families facing eviction. This program is being threatened, so we will advocate for its funding to be restored! RSVP here

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!

The BTU Inclusion Done Right Committee will host a community forum on Monday, June 9th from 5:30 to 7:30pm. The event will include celebrating wins for inclusion in the contract, discussing frequently asked questions, and collaborating on what’s next. Please RSVP by June 3rd. Light dinner will be provided. Childcare and interpretation are available upon request by June 3rd.

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!

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.

• Building Independence and Agency in a Productive Learning Environment Learning Site
• New Sections of Required 12 Hour Inclusive Ed Course Added
• Aspire & Inspire Educator Symposium, May 22nd, 5:00-7:00pm

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!

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