While we are continuing to advocate for a fair contact now, we are also continuing the Our City, Our Schools campaign to fight against any prospect of state intervention. They are two sides to the same coin of what we need – proposals in our contract to improve our schools – and what we don’t need: unproven state intervention. Just yesterday, the Globe headline confirmed what we have been saying: “School takeovers by the state haven’t worked.“
Despite the lack of evidence both locally and nationally that such a proposal would actually help the students of Boston, the Commissioner and members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education have continued to suggest that this would actually be their recommendation. Their threat is ramping up with the second audit nearing completion and with the possibility of a vote by the Board in less than two weeks, at their May 24 meeting.
The effects of receivership have already been felt in Boston. The Dever and UP Holland schools have both under receivership for over eight years now, which has led to higher staff turnover, unsustainable working conditions, a dismantled dual language program, and a weakened ability to enforce portions of our contract. What our schools need are the proposals we have been advocating for and an accountable, elected school committee, NOT unproven state intervention.
If you missed the emergency Town Hall last night, please know that BTU staff will also be visiting all schools in the next several weeks to lead a brief meeting with your school’s staff to explain the consequences of receivership. Please be sure to attend this critical meeting. Visit btu.org/OurCityOurSchools to take action today! Together, our collective power can move the needle.
Wear It Wednesdays continue! Tomorrow, wear your Inclusion Done Right sticker (see your Building Rep for a sticker) and share why Inclusion Done Right is important to you. Submit your pictures and quotes to photos@btu.org for posting on social media. Our students can’t afford to wait any longer for the proposals we are advocating for and we need BPS to commit to more dates to meet to get this contract done. To learn more about our contract negotiations and what we’re fighting for, visit BTU.org/bargaining! You can also join the community town hall this evening.
The job posting for the new superintendent search closed at the end of last week. The Search Committee will be meeting in person this week to review the applications and move candidates forward for the next two rounds of interviews. We will continue to keep you all posted on any developments there, too.
Lastly, there are 6 Ethnic Studies Hybrid Teacher Positions that were just posted for the next school year. Congratulations to BTU Ethnic Studies Committee for advocating and winning these positions! If you’re interested in applying, please do so through TalentEd.