Our last membership meeting of the school year is TOMORROW, Wednesday, June 8 at 4:30 p.m. It will be an in-person meeting with the option to view-only on Zoom. If you will be joining in-person, you do NOT need to register, though, as always, you should bring your BTU card for admittance. (We will have a problem-solving table for those who do not have their card, but you must bring a photo ID or BPS pay stub.)
If you will be joining via Zoom, registration in advance is required to verify BTU membership. We will not be accepting any registrations submitted after 3:30 p.m. as we are navigating this new hybrid model and will not have the bandwidth to support late registrations beyond that time. Additionally, tech support for those who are having trouble joining the meeting will only be available until 5:00 p.m. If you registered before the 3:30 p.m. cut off and are having issues joining the meeting, please email zoom@btu.org and we will assist you in joining.
We only have a few more Wear It Wednesdays visibility actions before the end of the school year! Tomorrow, please wear your “Libraries” sticker (see your Building Rep for a sticker) and share why students need access to high-quality programs, including fully-staffed libraries. Submit your pictures and quotes to photos@btu.org. You can see all of the photos we’ve already received in our Facebook album! To learn more about our contract negotiations, the different actions you can take to get involved (SAVE THE DATE: June 28!) and what we’re fighting for, visit BTU.org/bargaining!
Negotiations are gaining momentum, and BPS provided the BTU with five counterproposals last week. The district responded to the BTU’s proposal on religious holidays, which would include Three Kings Day & Lunar New Year among others; proposed a minimal LATF stipend increase; agreed to move family liaisons to the CFC pay rate; provide salary credit for members with a law degree; and the city’s full paid parental leave if the BTU agrees to reduce available childcare leave from 18 months to 12 months. There is still much more to discuss! Join us IN-PERSON at our next session TODAY from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Take your seat at the table and read more about negotiations at btu.org/bargaining.
We continue to say NO to state an intervention and YES to community-informed BTU solutions and local control. Yesterday, the BPS Citywide Parent Council sent an open letter reiterating the failures of state intervention as well as the need for bottom up solutions and partnership – particularly with parents and families at the table. We concur and will continue to fight with students, parents, and community stakeholders for the schools all students deserve.
Lastly, this week the Superintendent Search Committee is conducting second round interviews. See the timeline and information about the search as it continues to progress with the goal of naming a superintendent near the end of the month.