"A Discovery School will emphasize two of the best practices learned from Pilots - budgetary and curriculum/assessment autonomies. Discovery Schools will not seek any other exemptions from either the BPS or the BTU. In other words, Discovery Schools will still operate under the BTU contract, and the negotiated work rules will remain intact in Discovery Schools."

The letter defines what a Discovery School can and cannot do, the timeframe for application, and the consensus needed for school adoption and a FAQ is included.

Staff and Administrators in all schools, including those schools that have received the $20,000 grant to explore Pilot Status, are welcomed to attend this meeting. We believe that there is ample room in our school system for different types of school reform models, Discovery as well as Pilot, to flourish. Until now, the only model available has been the option to become a Pilot School.

We look forward to working on this initiative and welcome the chance to work with the superintendent to explore a variety of options to improve our schools while providing contractual safeguards for our members.

School Committee Passes Budget--But Fiscal Problems Persist

Budget Update: Last week the school committee passed a $827.5 Million budget offered by Superintendent Johnson. A last minute infusion of $10M from the mayor allowed the superintendent to submit a balanced budget , which is required by law, to the school committee for its approval by the last Wednesday in March. While the last minute cash from the city was welcomed and allowed a balanced budget, many problems continue.

In the short term, our teaching force will lose some positions, specifically, but not limited to, academic coaching positions and social work.  Budgetary cycles being what they are, there is a chance, as there always is, that these and other positions will gradually get restored. We have met with coaches, and we expect to meet with all affected groups that will be noticed for layoff.

Beyond this year's layoffs there is an additional worry: In the near future, will the school department continue to receive sufficient funds and resources to support   a first class school system? There is no easy solution to this problem.

School department funds come essentially from the city, state and Federal governments, in that order of importance. The city's ability to generate revenue is 'capped' under state law, the state is running a $1.4 Billion deficit, and the Federal Government has cut Title I funds, the main source of federal revenue. Long story short: The budget outlook is not good--from any perspective. (To learn more, see an analysis from Mass Budget and Policy ). Unless there is a long-range solution proposed on the state level, which would include a change in law to allow Mass Municipalities to develop their own revenue streams, Boston will remain in a fiscal crisis.

Nationally, it is not uncommon for great cities (geographic 'hubs' like our own)  to be able to generate revenue independently. After all, great cities attract visitors, businesses, and so on and have attendant costs associated with same. Many states have granted their cities and towns the ability to raise their own revenue that allows them to rely on an independent revenue stream, to help offset these added costs. Our state does not. Exacerbating this problem, Boston is home to a disproportionate percentage of tax-exempt property, institutions (colleges, museums, and the like)--all inhibiting its ability to raise revenue from what is close to a majority of our property base. Each of these non- profits/institutions 'costs' our city funds for maintenance, and so on, yet they remain by law untaxed. Of course they add much to the city and provide us with all sorts of advantages--but their property is tax exempt. We therefore cannot obtain any revenue from them.

What's the solution? Plain and simple: We need a fair state tax system that will allow Mass Municipalities the ability to raise their own revenue. Otherwise, the dilemma faced by our schools will continue year after year.

All Schools: Please Make Sure Your Personnel Subcommittee is Functioning

How does the Personnel Subcommittee of the School Site Council work?
 
The Personnel Subcommittee of each school's School Site Council interviews and decides on the selection of permanent teachers who voluntarily apply for transfer into the school. They are encouraged to participate in the hiring of all teachers into the school, but are only mandated to do so during the first teacher transfer posting at this time according to the contract. SSC Personnel Subcommittees also recommend new athletic coaching appointments at each school. In addition, school-based new Teacher Developers will be selected from the qualified pool of eligible teachers at that school by the School Site Subcommittee.

The Personnel Subcommittee is made up of two teachers and one parent from the SSC, as well as either the Principal/Headmaster or their designee. SSC teacher members, elect who among them will be the two representatives to serve on the Personnel Subcommittee. Teacher and parent representatives on the SSC Personnel Subcommittee may designate temporary replacement representatives according to the position being filled. These temporary replacements do not need to be members of the SSC. For example, a special education teacher may replace a teacher on the Personnel Subcommittee when a special education position is being filled. The teachers who are SSC members designate temporary BTU teacher replacements on the Subcommittee if they choose to. The Principal does not select the BTU members to serve on the Subcommittee. As in all SSC decision making, members of the Council and its Subcommittee are urged to reach decisions by consensus. Decisions need to be formalized by majority vote with the Principal/Headmaster/Program Director voting with the majority. If you have questions concerning this process, please contact ccarew@btu.org .

Email--Get it at Home or at Work. Your E-Mail Address is Protected Either Way

Do you read this at home? or school? You can give us one or both of your email addresses. Your email address is safe with us. It is fully protected, as is this list, and we will never lend it or sell it to any vendor. That goes without saying. Further, your address in our hands will only be used for this purpose--sending out the weekly bulletin. If you want to give us another, more convenient address, please click here.

Educator of the Year Awards! Nominate a Teacher, Para, Nurse or Any Other BTU Member!!!!

On June 23, the city, school department, the school committee, and the union will publicly honor a select group of Boston's exceptional educators -- teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, therapists, and others who have made a unique contribution to their students, their classrooms, and their schools. A letter from the all parties went out March 5 to all schools seeking nominees. All of the information is in your school office and should be posted for all to see. Applications are due April 15. Letters of support may be e-mailed to: BostonEducators@cityofboston.gov . Questions, please call Martha at 617-635-4476

Retirees Day on Beacon Hill to Fight for a Fair and Just C.O.L.A.

Save on your calendar May 13, the Retirees Day on Beacon Hill to Fight for a Fair and Just C.O.L.A. We will be meeting with legislators on bills that would give Retirees a fair and just cost of living adjustment. We'll also be there to fight for a minimum pension for all retirees. Buses leave from the BTU, after breakfast. There'll also be lunch. A good time, a worthwhile time. We hope to see you there. Please call the retirees office at 617-288-2000 on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm and reserve a seat! Also, you will have to let the Retirees office know whether you are taking a BTU bus and staying for lunch. We hope you do both! This is a necessary event, a fun event, and a 'feel good' event. Thanks to all who are making this happen! We are committed to fighting for a fair and just COLA for our retirees until the pension law is reformed favorably.

Health Insurance Seminars Scheduled

Health Insurance Seminars are scheduled on April 7, 10, and 14, at 4:00, and April 9, at 10, all at the BTU. The Open Enrollment Period runs this year for the month of April. The BTU is hosting its annual sign-up meeting, too, on April 16, on which date you will be able, at the BTU office, to sign up for health plans, change health plans, add dependents, and so on.

At the seminars, BTU consultant John Brouder will be speaking and will explain the ins and outs of the various health plans as well as Medicare, and so on. Mr. Brouder did the same last year, and the meetings were both well-attended and informative. Medicare expert,  Kurt Czarnowski from the Social Security Administration, will be joining John on April 9th only.

Dates--Blood Drive, Group Ins., Paras, etc.

• March 31, 4 PM, at the BTU, meeting for all those interested in discussing Discovery School status.
• April 5, Para Conference
• April 7 Health Insurance Seminar with Consultant, 4:00 PM
• April 9 Health Insurance Seminar with Consultant, 10 AM, with medicare expert Kurt Czarnowski from the Social Security Administration.
• April 10 Health Insurance Seminar with Consultant, 4:00 PM
• April 14 Health Insurance Seminar with Consultant, 4:00 PM
• April 16, Group Insurance Meeting. Save the Date.At this meeting you can change plans, add dependents, and so on.
• May 13, BTU Retirees Day on the Hill
• May 29, BTU Annual Blood Drive --mail to blooddrive@btu.org
• When emailing, please remember to give your name and phone number.
• June 17--Golf Tournament

BTU Health and Welfare Softball Season

Teachers interested in forming a team for their school should let their Building Representative know and start to recruit players for their team.  Teachers may play on another school's team.  Once again, there will be an early division (games starting around 3:00) and a late division (games starting around 4:00) with games being played weekdays after school during the weeks between the April vacation and early June.  New teams and new players are welcome to this "recreational" league fostering friendly and enjoyable competition.  Call the B.T.U. Health and Welfare Fund Office at 617-288-0500 and leave your name and phone number if you are a player looking for a team or if your team is looking for players.

* The Season will tentatively start the week of April 28th.

Provisional Teachers w/o an RA Letter

Provisionals without a Reasonable Assurance letter are urged to apply for any and all suitable positions that are available, including the Open Posting list and any and all pilot school positions that are posted.  Provisionals, too, are urged to network with friends and colleagues in other buildings in the event other new positions open up in their buildings, as positions necessarily will.  As ominous as current budget predictions are, new positions ALWAYS open up over the spring and summer, and it is important to pay attention to the HUB webpage to remain aware of all new vacancies.  More information will be coming out to provisionals under separate cover later. Again, anyone with a question should contact either Caren Carew or Mike McLaughlin, listed above.

Presidential Convention Election

We pass along the following note from former BTU President, Ed Doherty:

Dear AFT Massachusetts Member:

    I am writing to ask you for a big favor!

    On Saturday, April 5th I will be running in the 9th Congressional "Hillary Clinton Caucus" to become a member of the Massachusetts Delegation to the Democratic National Convention to be held in Denver in August. The American Federation of Teachers, as well as AFT Massachusetts, has endorsed Hillary Clinton for President, and I would very much like to be in Denver to be involved in the Convention and to see Hillary receive the Democratic Party's nomination for President of the United States.  To get there I need your vote on April 5th. The Caucus will be held at Faneuil Hall, on Saturday, April 5th, At 1:00 p.m.

    You must be a registered Democrat living in the 9th Congressional District in order to vote in the Caucus.  The 9th Congressional district is represented by Congressman Steven Lynch. Under party rules registration closes at 1:15 sharp, so if you plan on coming, I strongly recommend that you arrive no later than 12:45.  I expect that the caucus will be over by 2:30 p.m.

     I will be running on a slate supported by Mayor Menino and Congressman Lynch as the alternate delegate.  The other members of the slate are Representative Martin Walsh, Ramon Soto, Patricia Malone, and Kathleen Manson.  If you come to support me, I encourage you to vote for this entire slate.  If you have friends or family members who are also registered Democrats in the 9th Congressional District, I hope that you will bring them with you.

    Thanks for your consideration, and I hope to see you on April 5th.

***

N.B. Although both of our parent affiliates (The AFT and the AFTMA) have endorsed Hillary Clinton, the BTU has not endorsed any candidate for president of the United States . We will be glad, in this space, to pass along any other BTU member's announcement as we have for Ed Doherty. If you are running, as Ed is, for a delegate spot to an official national presidential convention for ANY candidate (Democratic or Republican or ?--we are non-partisan), we will print your announcement. Please get it to me by Wednesday of this week--thanks.The more teachers who partiicpate in these processes, the more influence we have at all levels.

BTU Golf Tournament, June 17-Save the Date

Boston Writing Project Summer Institute

Boston Writing Project Summer Institute -- July 7th to July 31st, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   This four-week program at UMass Boston, now in its 29th year, gives teachers time to reflect on and expand their use of writing in their teaching practice.

Applicants who are accepted receive a $600 stipend and an opportunity to receive six (6) graduate credits, tuition-free, with the payment of fees. 

To receive an application, please contact the Boston Writing Project at 617-287-7665.  You may also receive an application through the   Boston Writing Project . Completed applications are due April 15, 2008.  All applicants will be notified by May 15, 2008.       

MTEL Preparation Workshops

The schedule of upcoming MTEL preparation workshops is now available on MyBPS (Central AdminàHRàLicensure->MTEL Handbook).  In addition to the workshop schedule, the MTEL Handbook provides helpful information about the MTELs including online resources for self preparation.

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 using the link included on pages 3 and 8 in the handbook.

For more information concerning MTEL, please contact Nick Balasalle ( nbalasalle@boston.k12.ma.us or 635-9036). Fax:  617.635.9081

BPS Service Excellence Awards

2008 Boston Public Schools Service Excellence Awards - Nominate a BPS Staff Member by April 15.

Do you know a superstar?  If so, nominate them for the 2008 Service Excellence Awards!  This year, in conjunction with the Boston Educator of the Year Award, we are pleased to announce that we will also be acknowledging the winners  of the 2008 Service Excellence Awards at a ceremony on June 23, 2008.  We encourage you to nominate any BPS employee who exhibits outstanding dedication to our schools, excellence in customer service, leadership, problem solving or innovation.

Please take a few moments to nominate a fellow employee for one of the three categories of Service Excellence Awards described on the attached nomination form. Nomination forms for the Service Excellence Awards should be submitted to Neith Cardenas in the Office of Human Resources no later than April 15, 2008.

Official announcement ( http://www.boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/Announcement.pdf ), guidelines and nomination form  ( http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/Nomination.doc ) links are provided.  Please share the documents with your staff to encourage a broad range of nominations.         

Contact:  Neith Cardenas, 635-9699, or ncardenas@boston.k12.ma.us  

East Boston High School Fundraiser

The headmaster and staff at East Boston High School invite you to their 3rd Annual Gala Fundraiser to benefit the school. The fundraiser will be held on April 4, 2008, at 6:00 PM, at the Logan Airport Hilton Hotel. Tickets are $50 pp. Call Judy Brown at EBHS at 6176-635-9896 x 110. This is a good time and a good cause.

Gavin Fundraising Event

On Thursday, March 20th, the Gavin Middle School will be hosting a fundraising dinner for its 8th grade class trip to Washington D.C. in April.  The dinner will be from 6-8 pm at Restaurante Cesaria, a fantastic Cape Verdean restaurant near Fields Corner. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. This is a great way to sample fare you may never have eaten before, to enjoy the company of your fellow educators, and to support a great cause.  Please call Deanna Webb, teacher at the Gavin, at (617) 875-8248 to RSVP and request tickets."   

O'Hearn School Fundraiser

The Patrick O'Hearn School is selling raffle tickets for a chance to win one of the following 4 "Monster Baskets":

• 2 Green Monster Baskets will include 2 tickets to the Red Sox Green Monster Seats along with 2 Red Sox shirts/hats and gift certificates to be used at Fenway Park (Game TBD)
•  1 Seaport Hotel Basket  will include a night stay at the Seaport Hotel and other gift certificates for the seaport area
• 1 Dorchester Basket  will include many (many) gift certificates to area restaurants and Dorchester apparel

Proceeds to benefit:

• Instructional Materials & Enrichment programs
• RAFFLE TICKETS ARE $10 EACH
• For Raffle Tickets, Please contact the school at 617-635-8725  

MASS COSH Event

Please join MassCOSH, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and the Greater Boston Central Labor Council on Tuesday, April 29 at the Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon Street in Boston. At 12:00 noon we will gather outside, on the stairs, for a special Workers? Memorial Day Ceremony to honor Massachusetts workers who lost their lives in 2007 and re-commit ourselves to the fight for safe jobs. We will also host a special commemorative breakfast in Room 511 of the State House at 10:30am specifically for families that have lost a loved one due to a workplace incident.

At the event a special report, Dying for Work in Massachusetts, produced by MassCOSH and the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will be released, highlighting that fact that workers continue to be killed and maimed on the job in record numbers. MassCOSH is collecting stories of workers who were injured or killed on the job to share in the report and at the event. If you have questions or would like to submit a short story about your loved one and the workplace incident that s/he was involved in, please contact Whitney Soenksen at whitney.soenksen@masscosh.org or 617-825-7233 x14

Retirement Parties

•   Claudia C. Bell
•  WHEN:  Friday, June 6, 2008
•  WHERE:  Phillips Old Colony House, 6:30 pm to 11 pm
•  HOW:  $50 to Blanca I. Bastanzuri, 54 Dunster Rd. Apt.1, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
•  RSVP: May 1st

***

• Michael Anderson , 33 years in the BPS
• Lombardos, Randolph
• 4/11 6 PM
• Minnie Cobb c/o 101 Decker St., Milton, Mass 02186
• $60
• questions: g.c.deangelis@gmail.com

Charitable Event--Marathons for Research

We wish all good luck, and we thank them for participating in this charitable event.