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| Greetings! An estimated 1200 BTU members joined in a rally outside School Department Headquarters last week to protest the appointed school committee's acquiescence to a $55 Million budget cut, which the superintendent claimed would not hurt direct services to children. How can a budget that reduces each student's per capita allocation by $1,000 NOT hurt students? Our rally was joined and supported by hundreds of other school department employees, including custodians, who are suffering a cut of 25% o  f their personnel under this budget rollback. (To get a good look at our rally see here , a webpage put together by Snowden Teacher Robert Lamothe. Bob's webpage contains 300 terrific photos of the rally, and we thank Bob for his continuing efforts on behalf of Boston's teachers and paraprofessionals.) We thank so many people who helped out--those who attended, our BTU Building Reps., those who transported the equipment, those who kept everyone moving in the right direction, and so forth. Everyone who helped--from retirees to B Reps to those who picked up or delivered signs to schools--participated in this effort. Our members owe you a debt of gratitude. There may be those who think that it's okay to let others carry the burden of protest. That's not true and is short-sighted. Some of us may be untouched by the current upheaval at the Turnaround Schools, some of us may be untouched today by the excessing of hundreds of  teachers and paraprofessionals--but none of us will be untouched by the coming round of negotiations. To give just one example that affects all of us... If you have health coverage, you will be touched: The city is seeking to move all city employees into a different health plan that will cost each member anywhere from $600 to $4,000 EXTRA per year. The proposal the mayor has initiated, which is supported by the Boston Foundation, will hurt all municipal employees in Mass. Another version of this has been endorsed by Charlie Baker, candidate for governor. These proposals, or a hybrid thereof, will play out both in negotiations and/or at the legislature. Please stay tuned. This is clearly a battle that affects all of us. In fact, all of our battles affect all of us. We will undoubtedly have to ask you to join in another rally (or picketing) at the appropriate time When we ask for your help, we are asking everyone to pitch in. Thank you. ************************************************** Finally, we remind you that Diane Ravitch , arguably the most influential education c  ommentator on today's education battles, is speaking at the BTU on Monday, April 5, at 4:30. Refreshments will be served at 4:00. All members and invited guests are welcomed. Ms. Ravitch is the author of the top-selling education book on Amazon. Here's how she describes her book: "It lacerates NCLB, RTTT, the big foundations, and efforts by central to control how teachers teach; it defends the dignity of teachers and critiques the idea of judging teachers by student test scores." And here's what Linda Darling-Hammond , Charles E. Ducommon Professor of Education, Stanford University, and Founding Executive Director, National Commission for Teaching & America's Future, had to say: "Diane Ravitch is one of the most important public intellectuals of our time. In this powerful and deftly written book, she takes on the big issues of American education today, fearlessly articulating both the central importance of strong public education and the central elements for strengthening our schools. Anyone who cares about public education should read this book." ************************************************** Medicare Change: Eligible employees who retire on or after July 1, 2010, who are medicare eligible, will now have to take Medicare (along with a city Health Insurance supplement). The BTU will host a seminar with Mr. John Brouder of Boston Benefits on a date TBA. Mr. Brouder is an expert in this area, and will be available to answer all of your questions. ******************************************************* Staff in so-called Turnaround Schools ...Please see the below transfer and open posting information, and if you have any questions, please call (617-288-2000) or email Caren , Michael , or Jenna . |
| Transfer and Open Posting Information Summarized from HR Bulletin |
Two types of available teaching (nursing, and so on) positions for school year 2010-2011 will be posted on the new online Career Center beginning on Wednesday, March 31st: Transfer Postings (March 31 through April 15) Eligibility: All permanent teachers who have served in their present position for at least one year as of August 31, 2010, may apply for transfer positions by completing an online profile on the new BPS Career Center. How to Apply:
Selections: Candidates will be interviewed and notified of their selection by the Office of Human Resources by April 30, 2010. All approved assignments will become effective on September 1, 2010. Open Postings (beginning March 31) Additionally, there will be a number of "Open Postings" available starting on March 31st. Any employee, provisional or permanent, may apply to Open Postings. Open Postings will be posted on a "rolling" basis and will remain posted until the position is filled. These postings will NOT have the word "Transfer" in the posting title. Need Help?
For password help, contact HubHelp Desk weekdays 9:00am-5:00pm at 617-635-1HUB(1482).Please direct any other questions or issues to the Office of Human Resources Staffing Team at 617-635-9647. Or email or call the BTU office ( Caren or Michael ) at 617-288-2000. See here or BostonPublicSchools.org > Careers > Apply for Jobs (http://bostonpublicschools.org/node/54) for help in applying and searching for job postings. |
| Public Libraries to Perhaps Close--Fight Back |
Meeting to Protest Possible Closings of Branch Libraries 
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| Everett School to Hold Fundraiser |
The Edward Everett School is hosting their 3 rd Annual Wine Tasting to benefit the students of the Everett School. A silent auction will take place during the event, including Red Sox tickets, Disney World passes, art work and much more.
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| Help Out Shaw's Workers |
Members of UFCW Local 791 who work at the Shaw's Supermarkets Distribution Center in Methuen, MA, voted overwhelmingly to reject the company's final contract offer and to strike on Sunday, March  7th. The previous agreement covering 310 workers at the distribution center expired at midnight on March 6th. The company's substandard wage proposal, combined with its demand for increased employee health care contributions, would result in a net loss of income for workers during the term of the contract. Please join Local 791 members on the picket line as they seek a fair and equitable agreement that preserves full-time jobs, work rules and contains good wages and benefits. See Jobs with Justice, here, for more information. |
| OIIT Update |
L4L Final Orientation Sessions for SY09-10: All eligible teachers and principals/headmasters, identified via HR data, are invited to sign up to participate in the final 2-hour Orientation sessions schedule to receive their laptop. OIIT has set an April 28th deadline to participate for SY09-10. The Final 2 Orientation Sessions are outlined below and will soon be posted in MyLearningPlan. Please share this information in your building.
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| Retirement Parties |
(Notice: We will generally run these announcements for three or four weeks consecutively. We will also re-run whenever you ask . )
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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 |
| #08 | 10/18/09 |
| #09 | 10/26/09 |
| #10 | 11/02/09 |
| #11 | 11/09/09 |
| #11A | 11/11/09 |
| #12 | 11/16/09 |
| #13 | 11/18/09 |
| #14 | 11/23/09 |
| #15 | 11/30/09 |
| #16 | 12/05/09 |
| #17 | 12/14/09 |
| #18 | 12/21/09 |
| #18A | 12/21/09 |
| #19 | 01/04/10 |
| #20 | 01/11/10 |
| #20A | 01/12/10 |
| #21 | 01/18/10 |
| #22 | 01/23/10 |
| #23 | 01/25/10 |
| #24 | 02/01/10 |
| #25 | 02/08/10 |
| #26 | 02/22/10 |
| #27 | 03/01/10 |
| #28 | 03/04/10 |
| #29 | 03/08/10 |
| #30 | 03/15/10 |
| #31 | 03/22/10 |
| #32 | 03/25/09 |