"Dark Money" Fine Issued: Sagan Must Go!
"Dark Money" Fine Issued: Sagan Must Go!
Barbara Madeloni,
President
Greetings,
"The agenda is to screw the unions."
So said Glenn Koocher, head of the state's school committees' association, in summing up to the Boston Herald the motivation behind bills filed by Senator Eric Lesser and Representative Alice Peisch to create more "innovation zones." The Herald's headline aptly describes the bills: "Charlie Baker's plan allows for long school days, firing." Last week, our focus was on testifying against those measures. This week, our focus has been on our positive agenda.
Strong Support Shown for MTA-Backed Education Bill
An amazing array of educators, parents, allies in labor and other community members testified on Tuesday in support of S. 308, a bill filed by Senator Mike Rush and Representative Marjorie Decker that would fully fund the Foundation Budget, implement a three-year moratorium on high-stakes testing, reinstate collective bargaining for Level 4 and Level 5 schools and districts, mandate 20 minutes of recess for elementary students, allow for professional judgment in bilingual education, and insist that broader economic and community issues be addressed before any "underperforming school" designations could be applied.
OCPF Levies Record Fine: Sagan Must Go!
We already knew he had contributed a $100,000 "nothingburger" to the campaign, but we now learn that at the same time we were told the $100,000 contribution was meaningless, he had already made an additional half-million-dollar donation to FESA, which kept it a secret. The MTA, along with the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance, is calling for Governor Charlie Baker to fire Sagan from his BESE job. Please sign the petition here and share widely.
On Oct. 26, Support FairTest's Work to End Testing Madness
High-stakes testing was the hottest topic at Tuesday's State House hearing. FairTest has been working to end the overuse and misuse of standardized tests for more than 30 years. This small organization punches above its weight and needs support from educators and parents to continue this work. Mark your calendar for a FairTest fundraiser and celebration on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Harvard Square. I am honored that FairTest will be honoring me at this event, along with John Jackson, president and CEO of the Schott Foundation for Public Education. But I'm spreading the word in support of FairTest, not myself, because FairTest provides organizations such as the MTA with the expertise and support we need to wage this battle.Support Bills for Retiree Benefits and Minimum Wage Hike
Two bills in MTA's legislative package are scheduled for hearings on Tuesday, Sept. 19: S. 1481, An Act to provide fair and affordable public retiree benefits, and H. 2365/S. 1004, An Act to improve the Commonwealth's economy with a strong minimum wage and a strong tipped minimum wage. MTA members are encouraged to show their support by coming to Beacon Hill that day to talk to their legislators and take part in other activities.
The retiree bill will be heard at 1 p.m. in Room 222. The Fight for $15 bill will be heard at noon in Gardner Auditorium. Please gather at 9 a.m. at the MTA's Boston Office at 20 Ashburton Place for refreshments and a discussion with MTA's Government Relations staff about activities taking place that day in support of these measures. For more information, contact Anthony Moreschi at amoreschi@massteacher.org or 617-878-8701.
In case the Fight for $15 bill doesn't pass in the Legislature, the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition is collecting signatures to put the minimum-wage proposal and one calling for paid family and medical leave on the ballot. Look here for information about how to participate.
High-Stakes Testing Meeting Set for Oct. 1
MTA activists and other community members continue to meet and plan for how to expose the dangers of high-stakes testing and organize resistance. Members are focused on local tactics. Here is a report from Braintree:"The Braintree Education Association created two surveys related to high-stakes testing. One survey was geared toward teachers and the other was for parents. Three members of our Executive Board met and decided that instead of sending the survey via e-mail, it would be more productive to give the survey in person. Our goal was to talk with 10 teachers and/or paras each and record our results on the Google form. In addition, we gave the survey at a Board of Directors meeting and recorded those results as well. In the end we had given the survey to about 50 teachers and had recorded some decent data to be used as talking points with our administration, School Committee and/or to be used at a future forum on high-stakes testing. We hope to get more parents involved as the school year progresses."
Please be a part of this important work. The next meeting is Sunday, Oct. 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the MTA's Quincy headquarters. We also plan to schedule a Western Massachusetts meeting soon.
No Cuts, No Layoffs Demanded at UMass Boston
The Save UMass Boston Coalition released a report today demonstrating that UMass should not, and need not, slash programs for students and lay off staff in order to fund much-needed facilities repairs and improvements. The state and the UMB administration must work together to make sure this campus provides students of all income levels a world-class education in a city that prides itself as the "Athens of America."
Support Dreamers on Saturday
The energy I see as members talk to each other and reach out to students, parents and families is very exciting. This weekend we have an opportunity to show our commitment to all of our students at the Resist Deportations! Defend DACA! rally from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday on Boston Common starting on the steps across from the State House. MTA members will be there. Look for our signs!
Solidarity,
Barbara
For an online archive of Barbara's emails, visit http://massteacher.org/presidentsemails.