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| Greetings. We hope all is well. At the membership meeting last week, a few new policies were approved: We will set up meetings in the near future with every Boston state representative and senator. Patricia Armstrong will be coordinating these efforts. Once we have identified a 'host/member' sponsor, we will invite the legislator, set a date, and gather a dozen or so BTU constituents to a meeting at the host's house. The BTU will sponsor the event, do most of the heavy lifting, and pay for the refreshments. We are looking for Boston-resident hosts, who will open their house or apartment to 12-15 or so members. Please contact Patricia Armstrong if you would like to volunteer. The membership also voted to seek members who can spend 1-2 hours at the polls on November 3rd in support of our endorsed candidates. If you have some time to spend on November 3rd, please email Pat O'Donnel. We will send out a letter to all BTU Building Reps with a list of school polling sites. Although it would be preferable to have a teacher or a para from the school leaflet at the school where he/she works, it is not essential. Reminder to all bldg reps: Please return AFT-Mass postcards to the BTU or they can be be picked up by Mary Ann or Carol. All postcards returned by October 22nd will be eligible for the drawing of 2 Celtic tickets. Reminder to all to print legibly and remember that the cards are for STATE senators and representatives. It was also a week of good news. Once again, Mass led the country on the NAEP exam results (below). And we also finally heard some good news on unions. The Globe favorably reported in a detailed article that Tom Brady is the alternate union representative on the New England Patriots. Go Pats! Go Brady! We are announcing the setting of the Open Enrollment period for the Flexible Spending Program. See announcement following. Simply, the program allows our members to set aside pre-tax dollars for use on dependent care, medical out-of-pocket expenses, and certain transportation expenses. This is a great program, used by hundreds of our members, who save annually thousands of tax dollars per year. We will again mention Tuition reimbursement --Permanent teachers who are not yet  getting their first career award as well as paraprofessionals who have completed five years or more of service are eligible to receive $500 each per year of eligibility towards their college tuition. See here , and scroll to HRS-PP03. This is a terrific, tax-free benefit. Lastly, it is good practice to check your pay stubs regularly, especially after a request for a pay lane or step change. If you asked for a pay change, it should take effect within two or three pay cycles. If in doubt, call the union office. To check your teacher pay, see here ; para pay, see here , and substitute pay, see here . |
| Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics |
The Globe on Sunday published results of a poll on the mayoral race. Among other items. The article stated that ' only 6 percent of those polled rated the schools as excellent.' In and of itself, that statement is true.
But reading further, one would see that 58% of those surveyed rated the schools
fair/good/excellent, exactly double the percentage (29%) who rated the schools poor/very poor. Going even a little deeper, the Globe on its webpage (see 'full results') published the actual results of this question by income levels. 79% of those surveyed with an income level of $30,000 or less rated our schools fair/good/excellent, with only 12% rating our schools poor/very poor. One could very well argue, therefore, that those who use our schools and therefore know them best, rank them pretty highly. In any event, using either statistic, that's a far cry from the statement that only 6% rate them as excellent. And none of this is to say that we are satisfied with our schools. Yes, they can do better. But those of us who work in our schools and use our schools know that our schools are much better than some would suggest. |
| Flexible Spending Plan Open Enrollment Begins 11/2. Plan Allows Tremendous Tax-Saving Opportunity for Day Care, Medical Expenses & Transportation Meeting at BTU on 11/2 |
The Flexible Spending Account and the Pre-Tax Transportation plan are a tremendous opportunity for you to enhance your benefits package. Most employees pay for expenses such as dependent care expenses, out-of-pocket medical/dental expenses, parking fees, and mass transit expenses on an after-tax basis. These programs allow you to set aside a portion of your paycheck tax free to pay for those expenses. The result is a reduction in Federal, State and Social Security taxes, which will give you an increase in your take home pay. Don't miss out on this opportunity to save between 28-34% in taxes. Medical Plan: Some examples of these out-of-pocket expenses are:
Dependent Care Plan: The Dependent Care FSA is a great tax savings for people who have children in daycare or parents that require elder care. The IRS allows you to set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax from your paycheck to pay for these expenses. In most instances, participation in the Dependent Care FSA results in a greater tax savings than the Dependent Care Tax Credit (we recommend you speak with your tax advisor to determine which would provide the greatest tax benefit for you). Some examples of eligible Dependent Care Expenses are: Daycare, Pre-School, Before School Care, After School Care, and Summer Day Camp Transportation Benefit Plan: The Transportation Benefit Plan allows you to set aside an amount pre-tax from your paycheck to pay for certain parking and transportation expenses subject to the following limits:
To learn more about these exciting benefits, please attend a session with a representative from CPA at one of the informational meetings listed below. If you would like to hear more about this benefit today please call Cafeteria Plan Advisors, Inc. at 1-800-544-2340 or visit their website . Employees Currently Participating in the Flexible Spending Accounts: An enrollment form for the new plan year will be mailed to your home address. The enrollment form must be completed and sent back to Cafeteria Plan Advisors no later than November 30, 2009. MEETING TO LEARN ABOUT All OF THE ABOVE: November 2, 2009 at the Boston Teachers Union 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm. If you cannot make it to the mtg., please follow the procedures below:
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| Seeking Members for the Collective Bargaining Committee |
We are looking to receive nominations for our collective bargaining committee. The collective bargaining committee will meet after school four to six times in the months of November and December. Members chosen are expected to be able to attend all meetings, to the extent possible. The committee will met and approve our collective bargaining package. We will attempt to choose a 30-40 member committee balanced by grade level and interests, teacher, para, and so on. Members not chosen may be asked to join a sub-committee(s). To apply for consideration, please send in an application electronically with Collective Bargaining Nomination in the subject line. State briefly why you wish to be considered, what you will add to the team, and what ideas you might have as to the nature of the upcoming process. Thank you. The deadline for application is Friday, November 6th. |
| Open Letter to BTU Building Reps. |
Dear Building Rep(s), As you probably know, Tuesday November 3rd is Election Day here in Boston, and we are writing to ask for your help. Nearly 50 schools are used as a polling place across the city of Boston, and this year we are asking Building Reps to help organize volunteers to work the polls for candidates endorsed by the Boston Teachers Union. We are looking for volunteers to hold signs and pass out literature between the hours of 3 PM and 8 PM on Election Day. You can volunteer at any school that doubles as a polling place. We know that BTU members and retirees have busy schedules and we are considerate of your time. However, in recent months our opponents have stepped up their attacks against teachers unions and our hard won collective bargaining rights. In response, we feel that it is important to actively support the candidates who oppose attempts to de-fund public education by raising the cap on charter schools. Ideally, we would like to have groups of folks commit to volunteering a couple of hours on Election Day between 3 PM and 8 PM, and if at all possible, we would like to have at least two people present at each polling location during this time. The BTU and endorsed candidates will provide signs, literature and other election paraphernalia. And of course, we appreciate any assistance you can provide in this effort. If you are interested in helping out, or if you know someone who is, please email here . Please let us know what time you will be available and provide a phone number. If your building is a polling place, we will ask you to work there, if ok with you. If not, we will find a nearby location. Thank you very much. |
| NAEP Results in: NCLB Has Stalled Progress; Mass Reigns Supreme in US |
| "The latest results on the most important nationwide math test show that student achievement grew faster during the years before the Bush-era No Child Left Behind law, when states were dominant in education policy, than over the years since, when the federal law has become a powerful force in classrooms." Read the entire article here . To see how Mass compares...here's another excerpt from a different article: "In Massachusetts , for instance, where educators have sharply raised math scores in recent years by carefully reworking standards and instruction, 57 percent of fourth graders scored at or above proficient on the latest test. That compares with Mississippi, where only 16 percent of students scored at proficient." See the entire article . |
| AFT MA Launches Political Initiative in Opposition to Charter Legislation , Readiness School Act, and Mayor's Bill. Read AFT MA Notice Below: |
The AFT MA is presently working on an initiative to educate our legislators on why we are opposed to the Governor's bills and the Mayor's bill on Charter Schools. Passage of any of the bills would drastically impact your bargaining rights, in some cases eliminate them entirely! Postcards were handed out at the membership meeting; one will be mailed to reps and one to senators. See your BTU Building Rep. to get yours. Filling out your cards will take little time and will go as long way. Thank you. Reminder: All bldg reps please return the postcards to the BTU or they can be picked up by Mary Ann or Carol. All postcards returned by Sept 22 will be eligible for the drawing of 2 Celtic tickets. Reminder to all to print legibly and that the cards are for STATE senators and representatives. |
| Class Size |
 If your class-size exceeds the specifications here , you have a right to file a grievance . The process is quick and painless, and protects both you and the children in your classroom. This year so far we have filed a little over 100 class-size violations, and most have been resolved. Any questions, please call Patrick Connolly , BTU vice-president at 617-288-2000. |
| Retirement Seminar |
Retirement seminar hosted by Michael McLaughlin along with other related and important agencies will be held on October 20, 2009, and March 25, 2010. Attend one or both. Look for the registration flier in your school soon. Each seminar starts at 4:30 . Inadvertently, a start time of 4:00 may have been given. |
| BTU Mediation Position |
The BTU Membership has passed a motion to hire up to two mediators for the 2009-10 school year to mediate significant disputes between BTU members. The BTU Mediator part-time positions are open to active or retired BTU bargaining unit members who have demonstrated training and experience in conflict resolution by having earned a certificate and/or taken courses/workshops in dispute resolution and mediation techniques as well as through written references. Referrals will be made for mediation through BTU staff. If interested in applying to become a BTU Mediator, please submit your name, contact info, resume, info regarding formal training in mediation/dispute resolution, written references, as well as a brief statement (less than 400 words) as to how and why you are the right person for this position to Caren Carew. |
| MTEL Prep for October and Nov Tests |
The catalogue of upcoming preparation workshops for the fall MTELs is available on MyBPS (Central AdminàHR-Licensure --Catalogue of Preparation Workshops for MTEL). The catalogue also includes helpful information about the MTELs including online resources for self preparation. The Office of Human Resources is conducting workshops for the Foundations of Reading and ESL MTEL and coordinating workshops for other MTEL with area colleges. All staff are welcome to participate in the MTEL support and workshops organized by the Human Resources. Workshops often fill quickly so please apply as soon as possible. Applications for workshops need to be made online using the zoomerang link included in the catalogue. For more information concerning MTEL, please contact Nick Balasalle at 635-9036. |
| Winship School Fundraiser |
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Deadline: Friday, October 30, 2009. Donations of auction items (gift certificates, passes to movies or museums, gift baskets, etc...) are welcome. Please contact Maxina Rosa at 617-594-7364 or Jennifer Hayes 617-635-8399. |
| Camp Fatima Fundraiser |
Comedy Nite to benefit Exceptional Citizen's Week at Camp Fatima. Saturday, November 7th (7-midnight) at Mosley's on the Charles in Dedham. $35 per person. Advance sales preferred. Email Michael McLaughlin at mwmclaughlin@comcast.net. |
Sincerely,
Richard Stutman
BTU President
rstutman@btu.org (work)
617-288-2000
| 2009 -10 School Year | |
| #01 | 08/31/09 |
| #02 | 09/08/09 |
| #03 | 09/14/09 |
| #04 | 09/21/09 |
| #05 | 09/28/09 |
| #06 | 10/05/09 |
| #07 | 10/13/09 |