As we wind down the school year, there are a number of important updates we want to share with you.
First, we wish Dr. Chang all the best in his future endeavors. As we shared with the Globe this weekend, we appreciated a collaborative relationship with the superintendent and shared his commitment to elevating conversations about race and equity. While we had our differences from time to time, we never questioned his concern and care for all students. Dr. Chang’s letter to the BPS community yesterday is consistent with what we have experienced in regards to his support for immigrant and undocumented students.
BPS says an interim superintendent will be named by the end of the week. As the search for a replacement ensues, we will be advocating for the selection of a superintendent who is above all transparent and who will maximize the input that public educators and families have into their public education agenda. We will be advocating for the selection of a leader who can engage community stakeholders in a thoughtful and democratic way and who will stand with us in our efforts to bring more resources to the schools – whether those efforts are at City Hall, at the State House, or in Washington, DC.
We believe the next superintendent should actively listen to and learn from educators about what is working well – while also working with us to solve problems collaboratively. We are looking for a true partner who understands that top-down policies will never work as effectively as authentic engagement and inclusive decision-making in which educators and families have a strong voice.
This will be the last regularly scheduled e-bulletin of the school year, but we will send periodic bulletins over the summer. In addition to advocating for a stakeholder-informed process for the selection of a new superintendent, we will continue our contract negotiations and have over a dozen sessions scheduled throughout the summer.
Lastly, we expect a Janus ruling soon, even as soon as today. The Economic Policy Institute just released a short video that explains clearly how the Supreme Court could rule against working people:
Despite the mounting attacks on labor and workers, BTU members have demonstrated our commitment to our “Building POWER” for our students and schools and we remain #BTUproud and BTU All-In. If you have any outstanding signed cards, please be sure to bring them to the office this week!
Thank you to everyone for your hard work and commitment throughout the school year. Have a great last week of school and enjoy your well-deserved summer break!
Congratulations to all of the teachers honored this week at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Excellence in Education awards ceremony at the State House! (From left to right, BTU President Jessica Tang, Brinda Tahiliani and children, Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley, Ellen Latham, Paul Pitts-Dilley, Gavin Smith, Andrew Manning and Aaron Osowieki.)