Published On: August 28, 2024

 

BTU members, new and old, showed solidarity for Boston University workers fighting for a fair contract at the New Educator Social last week hosted at the George Sherman Union building at BU last week.
Greetings BTU member,

We’re in the final week of summer but the work of the school year has begun and the work of our union has never stopped. Educators in many of our schools across Boston are hard at work in their buildings and early childhood educators in BPS have already completed the new 12-hour inclusive education professional development sessions. Most critically, our contract with the School Committee expires this Saturday on August 31st. We have been negotiating with the district for the past 6 months, and unless there is a significant development during this Wednesday’s bargaining session, we will be starting the school year without a new ratified contract. If that is the case, we will be operating under the terms of our 2021-2024 agreement.

We have been in this situation before but because of the work we’ve done together, we are more unified and stronger than we have ever been in the past. Over the past school year, we held a contract campaign launch press conference in February, hosted walk-ins in May, rallied in June (check out a highlight reel here), testified before the School Committee and City Council, collaborated with our community partners and BPS families, wore our BTU Blue on Thursdays in solidarity and more than 250 BTU members have attended one or more of our bargaining sessions.

Our presence, persistence and engagement have paid dividends and led to some wins at the bargaining table, but the district is still resisting change in some pivotal areas which directly impact our students and members. The district continues to flat-out refuse to end its harmful practice of forcing general education teachers to obtain an additional special education license and perform the work of multiple teachers simultaneously. This practice shortchanges our students and harms our ability to retain teachers.

During two bargaining sessions last week, after the BTU negotiating team refused to relent, representatives from the district offered some “concepts” where BPS would commit additional resources to inclusive education. To be clear, these “concepts” fall far short of the change this city needs and the district insists it won’t accept any provision which sets limitations around licensing despite how detrimental the current approach is to ensuring our students can thrive. We have a fight ahead of us but rest assured the BTU will continue to fiercely advocate for a BPS system which guarantees Boston’s students have access to the same resources as every single student in every single other district in the state do. WE have the power to make the principles behind our vision of Inclusion Done Right a reality.

Last week, BTU officers and staff welcomed hundreds of our new union siblings at the district’s New Educator Institute (check out our Facebook album). On multiple occasions, educators who have yet to set foot in their school buildings said the district’s policy of forcing teachers to obtain multiple licenses deters aspiring teachers, causes anxiety for those just starting their careers, and deprives students who have additional needs from receiving the full extent of the services they deserve. Rectifying this systemic failure, in addition to securing fair and equitable pay for all members is a foundational goal of our contract proposal.

The newest members of the BTU family are already activated and eager to make a difference. It’s all of our responsibility to make them feel welcome and help them get involved in our fight to build a BPS that Boston’s students and educators deserve. Joining the BTU Contract Organizing Committee is a great place to start.

On a more logistical note, we have noticed that in recent years financial vendors have been making their way into the teachers rooms at the start of the school year to try to sell 403(b)/Tax Sheltered Annuity plans to our members. The BTU and the district have a formal agreement which states that all vendors seeking to sell products to teachers are not allowed in teachers’ lounges and can only set up shop in the main office. The BTU strongly advises our members to stick with the 457 SMART Plan. Our interim Executive Vice President Richard Stutman has sent a letter to Superintendent Mary Skipper expressing the union’s concerns.

On that note, we’d like to formally introduce Richard Stutman. Richard served as BTU President for 14 years from 2002-2016 and is now acting as the interim EVP until we learn the result of the special election this fall. Richard is a BPS graduate, has been a BPS educator since 1972 and is the father of a BPS graduate. He will be primarily overseeing grievances and arbitrations. Please see the section below for more details on the BTU special election.

Make sure to attend your 30-minute BTU meeting next week, check in with your building reps, attend the next bargaining session on Wednesday August 28th at the BTU and stay tuned for news on organizing actions in the pipeline. Our next bulletin will be released on Wednesday, September 4th. We hope you have a restful Labor Day, make sure to VOTE in your local election on Tuesday (check out BTU’s endorsed candidates) and we look forward to being together in our schools soon.

BTU Special Election Information:

Nominations for Vice President opened on August 1 and will close on September 11. Dues paying BTU/RTC members in good standing can run for this office and sign nomination papers. Please see the updated Electronic Nomination Instructions and Candidates Guide for more information. Paper nomination forms are available at the union office.

Each member can only nominate one candidate in this race. 100 nominations are required to qualify for contention, but it is recommended that prospective candidates gather more to account for potential duplications.

Paper nomination pages must be handed in at the BTU membership meeting on September 11. Electronic nominations automatically close at the end of that meeting.

Mail-in ballots will be sent out in mid-September and ballots must be received by October 15th in order to be counted. In-person voting will be held on October 16 at the BTU. If there are more than two candidates running, October 16 will be a primary election. If there are two or fewer candidates, October 16 will be a final election. New BTU members can participate in the election but must vote in person.

You may contact ombudspeople Marjie Crosby and Danielle Fraine with questions or concerns at electioncommittee@btu.org. Members are welcome to attend and ask questions at the start of election committee meetings.  The next meeting is Sept. 30 at 5 pm at the BTU. Contact mfrank@btu.org with any questions about your membership status.

 

BTU Events and Announcements

Join the BTU Contract Organizing Committee!

The Contract Organizing Committee will work in collaboration with the negotiating team and Executive Board to develop and implement organizing and action plans for our contract bargaining campaign. We’re looking to convene a diverse group of BTU members, representing a range of bargaining units, roles, grade bands, races, experience levels, and school types across as many schools as possible. Learn more and apply here.
Inclusive Ed Courses Begin: Required for All Classroom Teachers

Summer and fall sessions of required Inclusive Ed Courses are now posted on Vector. Many began last week, with new sessions all this week. These required courses for classroom teachers are differentiated by the curriculum you teach and will count toward required existing school-based contractual PD hours. Some schools will be fulfilling this requirement as part of school based PD. If you’re not sure, check with your school leader. Courses that fulfill this requirement are labeled “Inclusive Ed Course” on Vector. For more on this initiative, see our FAQ.

Building Rep Orientation: August 28 or 29 at the BTU Hall

This session is for new and veteran building reps and will cover all of the latest contract negotiation updates that you need to know ahead of the 30-minute union meetings during the first week of school. This year we are offering two date options: Wednesday, August 28 from 10am-12pm or Thursday, August 29 from 4:30-6:30. Both sessions are at the BTU (180 Mount Vernon St, Dorchester 02125). Please RSVP here.

Provisional to Permanent License Assistance: Register by the end of Aug. Do you hold a Provisional Teaching License in Massachusetts? PRPIL is DESE’s only approved alternate route to an Initial License in Massachusetts. We are reaching out with a discounted opportunity to enroll in the PRPIL program (Provisional Review Program for Initial Licensure). Etio (formerly Class Measures) is offering a discount through the month of August: If you enroll in PRPIL before the end of August, you will receive $100 off the program fee!

Join the AFT MA 2024 Get Out the Vote Team

AFT MA members are taking action to get out the vote for the democratic ticket in battleground states this Fall and Summer! Fill out this form to let staff know how you are interested in getting involved, and you’ll hear back shortly to get plugged in. Democracy and Education is on the ballot this year!

Submit Building Rep Election Results

A reminder that all schools should conduct Building Rep elections before the end of the school year. If you need guidance on how to conduct a Building Rep election, please see p. 25 of the Building Rep Handbook. Once you have your election results please submit them at btu.org/brelection.

Paraprofessional Development Managing Student Behaviors: CHANGE OF DATE!

This Professional Development Session will provide participants an overview of strategies to identify warning signs while working with students in any program area and across grade bands. Participants will learn techniques to identify student triggers and best practices to ameliorate behaviors and provide safety for the learning environment. The two sessions will now take place on November 19,2024 at 4:30pm at the BTU Hall. Register here.

Kindergarten Conference September 5, 2024 8:30am-2:30pm

The Kindergarten Conference at the Four Points Sheraton Norwood will focus on leveraging the curriculum for inclusion & equitable early literacy practices. Breakout sessions will target the curricular and instructional needs of K0-K2 classrooms. The K Conference is for both paraprofessionals and teachers. You can register here.

 

BTU 11th Annual Back to School Fair: Saturday September 28th, 10am-2pm

Join Educators, Families, Students and Community Partners for a joyous day celebrating Back to School! Thousands of free books! Music, Food, Family Fun Activities and much more! Please share the word with your school community! Check out our page to register and learn more about tabling for your organization!

Educators Thriving: Make Your Well-Being a Priority this Year, Deadline Sept. 23rd In this free course for BTU members learning and practicing concrete strategies to prevent burnout and support your own well-being so you can be your best for yourself and your students. Check out our flyer to learn more, check out an informational video, or register for a free preview session in September. Those who complete the course and all assignments are eligible to earn Academic Ladder Credits toward lane advancement. Spots filled on a first come, first served basis with final due date of September 23rd.

Power Saturdays at the BTU: SY 24-25

Power Saturdays are a monthly day for BTU members to connect, learn, and grow our power together through three unique learning and leadership development opportunities. Member Organizers: Build organizing skills and take action; Education Policy Program: Connect research, policy and practice.; Writing and Research Fellowship: Deepen personal and professional identity through research and writing. Learn more and apply.

 

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer: Join the BTU Walkers on Oct. 5th Join a group of your BTU union siblings at the annual Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade in Boston from 8am to 10am to contribute to the fight to eradicate breast cancer. Click here to join our team and donate!

Paraprofessional Informational Meeting and Resources Fair: October 10th Come join us at the BTU Hall on October 10th at 5pm for important information and great resource materials from colleges, MTEL support and more. Register here!

BTU Fall Conference: October 18th to 20th

Join us for the 2024 Annual BTU Fall Leadership Conference from October 18-20 at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel (250 Market St, Portsmouth, NH 03801). The program will include plenary sessions, skill-building workshops, meals, and social events to build up our power and unity as BTU member leaders. The registration deadline is October 4th.

BTU Retirement Planning Seminar: October 25, 2024, 4:30-6:30pm

“When will I be able to Retire?” Find out by attending the BTU Retirement Planning Seminar on Friday, October 25, 2024. Trustees from the City of Boston Retirement Board and from Health Insurance and Social Security will also be in attendance.

Community News & Events

LinkUp at The Lawn on September 4th: 4 to 9pm

This event at the Lawn on D (420 D Street, Boston) offers Boston’s educational community a vibrant space to connect and create lasting change for our children and families. This dynamic event brings educators, parents, students, and community leaders together to enjoy an evening that will positively impact our schools and neighborhoods. Register here

Documentary: Years After Garrity: A Move Toward Equitable Education

The BPS Humanities department in collaboration with BPS Arts and the Office of Opportunity Gaps will host 50 Years After Garrity: A Move Toward Equitable Education on September 26, 2024. Please fill out this Google Form to indicate your interest in participating. The panel discussion will occur after the viewing of the PBS documentary The Busing Battleground. Questions? Contact Angela Hedley Mitchell: ahedley@bostonpublicschools.org

BTU in the News

Current AFT MA president and former BTU President Jessica Tang attended the Democratic National Convention as a delegate and spoke to WBUR’s All Things Considered about why the Harris/Walz ticket will be a boon for the labor movement and educators.

BTU member Neema Avashia spoke to GBH News’ Boston Public Radio with Jim and Margery about her memoir “Another Appalachia: Coming up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place” and why Republican Vice Presidential Candidate J.D. Vance shouldn’t be the standard-bearer for the regional values of their shared homeland.

In Memoriam

Mary McKunes, a retired paraprofessional who dedicated decades of service to the Condon k-8 School community, passed away over the weekend. Her wake will be held at the Casper Funeral Home located at 187 Dorchester Street in South Boston this Friday August 30th from 4 to 8 pm. Her funeral mass will be held at St. Brigid’s in South Boston on Saturday at 10 am. Join us in honoring Mary’s life and keeping her family in our thoughts.

Share This Story!