updates from april 14

1. On Monday, we are postponing the trip to Labor Relations Court, and instead meeting with admin to try once again to settle the two Unfair Labor Practice charges ourselves. The first issue relates to paras providing instruction during RTI reading and math blocks in our primary schools. Our position is that only Unit A teachers can provide instruction (at a Unit A pay rate), and the use of paras is a ULP because Unit D is performing Unit A work (at a Unit D pay scale). The District's position is that the 45 minute RTI blocks are enrichment not instruction, and that teachers are doing the lesson planning (perhaps another ULP since this is a change in working condition). Donna Beath has been collecting evidence to support our claim that this time is part of the regular Reading Street and Envision curriculum. If you have any thoughts to add with Donna, please contact her this weekend at donna.beath@gmail.com. 

The second charge is for Aspen progress reports at our middle schools, since progress reports have not been done electronically in the past, and technology is a mandatory subject of bargaining according to state law. It is also our position that the use of Aspen in general should be bargained--this issue has been avoided for 7 years, and we really should have a consistent k-12 policy that employs best practices, and not haphazard non-mandatory use without proper training, that has been the past (and current practice) for too long. If you have information regarding the use of middle school progress reports, perhaps samples of last year's practice, please contact Tom Healy at thealy88@comcast.net

2. On Tuesday at 4pm at WHS is our Annual Meeting where all members, not just Reps, can vote. I will send a full agenda later this weekend, but please try attend. We will be finalizing our By Law review, as well as finalizing the nominations for our officer positions. More on that will come with the agenda.

3. On Wednesday at 4-5pm at WHS we are hosting a candidates' forum for those running for MTA positions of president and vice president. The MTA president is the voice of educators on Beacon Hill, and that person has a large role in shaping policies such as Educator Evaluation. These candidates will have an impact on your future, and the future of education in Massachusetts. I encourage everyone to attend.