A publication of the Massachusetts Teachers Association Volume 40, No. 4/April-May 2010
Enrollments hit new highs at community colleges
New season opens for mta red sox reading game take a trip with a good book Massachusetts students are #1 — again By Laura Barrett ‘Massachusetts teachers should be assachusetts students have been ranked extremely proud of the consistently first in the country yet again on a national high performance of their students.’ reading exam. M — MTA President Anne Wass The state’s fourth- and eighth-graders received the highest scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading exam in 2009, eight. The math results were released last October. marking the third time in a row that the state’s “Education is our calling card around the students outscored their peers nationwide. NAEP, world,” Governor Deval Patrick said in a statement often referred to as “The Nation’s Report Card,” is released when the results were announced. “I The MTA has printed bumper administered to a sample of students in every state couldn’t be more proud of our students, teachers and plus the District of Columbia. school administrators, whose dedication and hard stickers that highlight the great “Massachusetts teachers should be extremely work made this remarkable achievement possible.” achievements of Massachusetts proud of the consistently high performance of Once again, both nationally and in their students,” MTA President Anne Wass said in Massachusetts, females outscored males on the test, students and educators. The response to the news. and white and Asian students outscored African- stickers come in two versions, According to results of the 2009 NAEP exam, American and Hispanic students. but both point to the pride our the state’s fourth-graders scored an average of 234 “The state’s overall high scores on both NAEP on the reading assessment, well above the national and on international measures of achievement Commonwealth should take average of 220 and first in the nation. demonstrate that there is a lot that our teachers and in the accomplishments of its At grade eight, Massachusetts students achieved schools are doing right,” Wass said. “Given their the highest average of 274, which exceeded the obvious expertise, teachers must be at the forefront public schools. To get a bumper national average of 262 and was a statistical tie for of figuring out effective strategies for reducing the sticker, please contact your first with five other high-performing states: New persistent achievement gaps. The views of teachers Jersey (273); Connecticut and Vermont (272); and and other practitioners must be paramount in the next field representative or MTA New Hampshire and Pennsylvania (271). phase of education reform.” regional office. Massachusetts students also rank first in the For more information on NAEP and the most country on the NAEP math tests in grades four and recent results, go to www.nationsreportcard.gov.
MTA’s Mission Statement On the cover in this issue The Massachusetts Teachers Association is Massachusetts public higher Students vie for academic honors on MTA-sponsored shows 3 a member-driven organization, governed Editorial: Our principles and a pot of gold 4 by democratic principles, that accepts education institutions are Fight continues for single-payer health care 4 and supports the interdependence of experiencing significant growth. Commentary: Public good and public will 5 The biggest surge is occurring at PHENOM campaign seeks support for colleges, UMass 5 professionalism and unionism. The MTA the state’s Higher ed members meet with top state officials 6 promotes the use of its members’ collective Campaign presses legislators to honor contract promises 6 power to advance their professional and community Community college enrollments hit new highs 7 colleges, economic interests. The MTA is committed A Q&A with education historian Diane Ravitch 8 where Educators in Level 4 schools face difficult challenge 9 to human and civil rights and advocates for enrollment Meetings to focus on preserving bargaining rights 10 quality public education in an environment Activism is theme of MTA ESP Conference 11 has increased in which lifelong learning and innovation Ways and Means budget proposal slashes vital funding 12 by 22 percent MTA opposes ‘unnecessary and unfair’ pension bill 13 flourish. Collaboration is key to Springfield effort 14 since 2005. Drivers and cell phones: a dangerous mix 17 Pictured on MTAB Web site highlights places to go, things to try 17 MTA President the cover Good reasons to belong to MTA Retired 18 Anne Wass is Charlotte Regional retirement consultations available 19 Offset repeal effort continues in Congress 19 MTA Vice President Belezos, a longtime social State House event highlights need for library funding 20 Paul Toner science professor at Roxbury Annual Meeting agenda features issues, awards 21 Executive Director-Treasurer Community College, where Annual Meeting schedule of events 22 Annual Meeting business session agenda 23 David A. Borer student enrollment was up 11 Statement by MTA presidential candidate Paul F. Toner 24 Communications Director/Editor percent during the fall semester. Statement by MTA presidential candidate Paul J. Phillips 25 James Sacks A story on Page 7 explores the Statement by vice presidential candidate Timothy D. Sullivan 26 opportunities and challenges Guidelines for alternative nomination process, caucuses 26 Staff Assistant Executive Committee seat sparks contest 27 Janice Morrissey created by a soaring student Statements by candidates for Executive Committee, Board 28 population. Meanwhile, the 2010 Publisher Amendments to resolutions are recommended 29 season is set to open for the Proposed amendments to MTA Standing Rules 30 David A. Borer Proposed amendments to MTA Bylaws 31 MTA Red Sox Reading Game. For Graphic Arts Assistant Human & Civil Rights Awards Banquet reservation form 34 coverage, please see Page 40. Jacqueline Feng Annual Report of the Executive Director-Treasurer 35 Classifieds 36 Obituaries 38 New season opens for MTA Red Sox Reading Game 40 Cover photo by Christine Peterson Honor roll honoree’s generosity helps program thrive 40
This issue also includes the spring edition of the MTA Advantage
MTA TODAY, ISSN 08982481, is published quarterly, with an extra issue in June, by Quote-Unquote the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Subscription: $2.70 of MTA members’ dues is designated for MTA Today. “All states have been rocked by the Great Recession. The Massachusetts Teachers Association 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108 Periodicals postage rates paid at Boston, MA, And most have tried to cope with a reasonable mix of 800.392.6175 or 617.742.7950 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send FAX: 617.742.7046 address changes to: Massachusetts Teachers budget cuts and tax increases, or other revenue-raising www.massteacher.org Association, 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108. © measures. Those that rely too heavily on cuts are Copyright 2010 by the Massachusetts Teachers Association. All material in this periodical may making guaranteed investments in human misery.” be reproduced by teachers for distribution to students or by affiliate associations for their own publications. Unless expressly stated, — Columnist Bob Herbert, writing in acceptance of advertising does not necessarily imply endorsement of the product by MTA or The New York Times on March 20 MTA Benefits.
2 April/May 2010 MATCHING WITS FOR A CROWD Students vie for academic honors on MTA-sponsored shows
By Bob Duffy The top four Massachusetts igh school teams from around public high school teams the state are vying this spring from both quiz shows for a shot at the Massachusetts H will go head to head in state championship. But the competi- tion has nothing to do with sports. the state championship Rather, the students are facing competition. off for academic bragging rights on WGBY’s As Schools Match Wits and students, their families, schools and WGBH’s High School Quiz Show. communities in support of the home The MTA, using funds approved teams,” Abbott said. “Most impor- by the Public Relations/Organizing tantly, High School Quiz Show enables Campaign Committee, is a substantial WGBH to further align with the educa- sponsor of both programs. tion goals of the Commonwealth.” WGBH President Jon Abbott Initially, competing high school noted that the goal of his station’s teams gathered at WGBH’s Brighton show is “to shine a spotlight on studios over the course of three days in Quincy High School coach Evelyn Ryan poses with students taking part intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of in High School Quiz Show, which the MTA is helping to sponsor. late January and early February to tape learning in a fun, lively and encourag- the qualifying rounds. The teams were ing way.” Early reviews indicate the cheered on by a live studio audience effort is a success. MTA launches early ed, revenue campaigns of families, fellow students and others Although students in western from their communities. Massachusetts have competed in As he MTA Public Relations/Organizing Campaign Committee “The day of the taping was very Schools Match Wits since 1961, High recently voted to provide substantial funding to two major exciting,” said Quincy High School School Quiz Show, which features association initiatives: coach Evelyn Ryan, who attended the Tn teams from high schools in eastern The Early Childhood Education Organizing Campaign, which event along with a busload of teachers, Massachusetts, just premiered in is being conducted jointly with the NEA, AFT Massachusetts and the parents and friends. “The players were March. national AFT. treated like celebrities — WGBH Both shows emphasize academic n The campaign being developed by the MTA’s State Revenue crews videotaped interviews, took content based on the Massachusetts Enhancement Committee, which is examining ways to increase state photos and put microphones and Department of Elementary and funding levels so that public schools, public colleges and UMass receive makeup on the team members.” Secondary Education’s Curriculum the resources needed to provide a high-quality and affordable education to Ryan even got to see one of her Frameworks, and both use fast-paced all students. former QHS students who was working Jeopardy-style formats. Both also have “These are two vital initiatives for our state’s future,” noted MTA as part of the WGBH production unit. important ties to public education aside President Anne Wass. “Both are part of our long-term advocacy for The team coaches had attended from their MTA sponsorship. Massachusetts students with legislators, opinion leaders and the general an orientation meeting last October at Since 2007, the western public.” WGBH, then returned to their schools Massachusetts competition has been As the campaigns progress, further information will be posted on the to start practicing. co-produced by Westfield State MTA Web site, www.massteacher.org. Janine Ventola, coach of the College and WGBY. It is taped at the Everett High School team, said she college, using students in the produc- and her students met on Tuesday and tion process. said Elizabeth Preston, Westfield each team will earn points for a total Thursday evenings and played along The eastern Massachusetts show, State’s dean of faculty and a former score at the end of the game. with another quiz show, the Granite for its part, receives major production Department of Communication chair. After the qualifying rounds, the State Challenge, via the Web. “We support from the University of “Between As Schools Match Wits four teams with the highest overall also hosted a scrimmage game against Massachusetts. and High School Quiz Show, our scores from each of the two shows will Revere High School after school a few The synergy between the new teams have essentially created fun, move on to semifinal rounds. The top weeks before the Quiz Show began,” program and the older edition has fast-paced, statewide opportunities four teams that emerge from among Ventola said. drawn notice far and wide. that recognize and support academic those eight, regardless of which portion “In an age when network shows prowess over physical ability.” of the state they are from, will go head For more information on “As are being pulled off the air after one High School Quiz Show features to head in the state championship Schools Match Wits” and “High School episode, the presence of another high teams from 24 Massachusetts schools competition, which will be taped on Quiz Show,” visit www.wgby.org and school quiz show indicates this is a competing for its first-ever champion- May 8 and 9 and broadcast in June. www.wgbh.org. To see the MTA’s genre that has a place and As Schools ship. The games will not be played as “Academic quiz shows across the sponsorship announcements, visit Match Wits is doing something right,” bracketed elimination rounds. Rather, country attract a broad following of www.youtube.com/massteacher.
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April/May 2010 3 Editorial Our principles and a pot of gold e can’t abandon our principles to chase Standardized tests already play far too big a the pot of gold. So said Secretary of If we believe that implementing role in education. Educators across the country are W Education Paul Reville in an interview alarmed that making tests even more important will with The Boston Globe after Massachusetts lost its the RTTT program will do more worsen the problems we have already seen, including first-round bid for Race to the Top money. harm than good, we will not narrowing the curriculum and teaching to the test. We wholeheartedly As education historian Diane Ravitch wrote in agree and intend to say hesitate to say so. her book The Death and Life of the Great American the same if the second- School System, “The problem with using tests to round application for that accompany it do make a difference. Schools make important decisions about people’s lives is that RTTT funds veers off in alone cannot overcome all of those effects. standardized tests are not precise instruments.” She the wrong direction. The application was also criticized for failing to also noted, “Something is fundamentally wrong with Secretary Reville’s explain how effective teachers will be encouraged an accountability system that disregards the many comment was in to work in hard-to-staff schools. This is also a valid factors that influence students’ performance on an reference to the RTTT criticism. In fact, the current state law contains annual test — including the students’ own efforts evaluators’ decision to several disincentives since teachers must deal with — except for what teachers do in the classroom for penalize the state for the stigma of working in an “underperforming” forty-five minutes or an hour a day.” not agreeing to adopt school and may be required to reapply for their Ravitch also points out that all the increased national “common core” jobs. What we don’t have are positive incentives. testing under the No Child Left Behind law hasn’t standards sight-unseen. Our TeLLS survey in 2008 showed that the most actually improved outcomes. Eighth-grade reading Anne Wass That’s right: The federal important incentives include having an effective scores on the National Assessment of Educational MTA President standards are not yet leader, working in a school that has an atmosphere Progress have been flat since 1998. In grades where finalized, yet the RTTT of mutual trust and respect and having good teaching math scores have risen, they actually rose faster reviewers deducted points from states that didn’t and learning conditions. before NCLB than after. agree to adopt them even if they are lower than our Those conditions include time for teachers We agree with Ravitch and others that test scores own state standards. Since Massachusetts is already to collaborate with one another, small class sizes, can be reviewed as one measure among several at the top, adopting lower standards would be a Race adequate student supports and up-to-date curriculum for purposes of diagnosing areas of instruction to Mediocrity for us, and we agree with the secretary materials. Further down the list are financial that may need a closer look, but they should never that committing to adopting national standards would incentives, such as student loan forgiveness, be a substitute for careful evaluation by a skilled, be wrong until and unless we believe they are better enhanced pension benefits or higher pay. The MTA experienced educator. than ours. wants to be at the table to advocate for effective and The MTA intends to stand up for rationality and The MTA is participating in meetings with other sustainable incentives. sound educational practices in the second round of stakeholder groups to discuss ways to make the Massachusetts also lost points for supposed RTTT. If we believe that, on balance, the changes are second application better. weaknesses in the proposal concerning teacher positive, we will support the second application. If For example, Massachusetts lost points for evaluations. It is not yet clear whether that means the application is substantively different from the first having a weak plan of action on how to provide state education officials will push to make test one, local associations will be asked to decide whether “wraparound” social services to students in low- scores count for a significant portion of a teacher’s to re-sign MOUs or otherwise reaffirm that they still performing schools. That part of the application evaluations. If that occurs, we will strongly oppose want to participate. As in the past, local associations should be stronger and more coherent. Students can’t such a plan. One of our core principles has always may drop out of the program at any time. learn well if they are hungry or they have a toothache been that students, teachers, schools and districts If we believe that implementing the RTTT because of poor dental care or they are neglected at should be judged based on multiple measures of program will do more harm than good, we will not home. For the first time in a long time, policymakers achievement, not solely, or even primarily, on the hesitate to say so. We will not abandon our principles are acknowledging that poverty and the social ills results of MCAS tests. to chase that pot of gold. Fight continues for single-payer health care
By Sarah Nathan charged with organizing, financing and delivery of families. Most significant is a provision in the law near-universal or universal health care services to that provides access to health care coverage for an hile the new federal health care reform residents. The term “single-payer” describes the estimated 32 million Americans, including 8 million law could expand access to health care funding mechanism — meaning that health care is children, who could not afford and/or were denied W to more than 32 million Americans, it is paid for by a single body from a single fund — and insurance due to pre-existing medical conditions. a far cry from universal health care. It is, however, is not related to the actual act of providing services. Other key benefits include: a momentous development and one that could help Day said his organization is working to use the n Giving young people who cannot afford and to bolster efforts to create a single-payer financing energy and enthusiasm created by the new federal do not have access to quality health care coverage system that provides everyone in the Commonwealth law to build support for a single-payer system in the opportunity to stay on a parent’s plan until they with equal access to comprehensive health care. Massachusetts. He said that while the current single- reach the age of 26. “We just need one state to make this happen; payer legislation, sponsored by Senator Pat Jehlen Please turn to Single-payer/Page 12 once we get that first state, other states will follow,” (D-Somerville), isn’t likely to gain traction during said Benjamin Day, executive director of Mass-Care, this session, efforts to control costs are pushing the Letters policy a statewide coalition advocating for a single-payer issue to the forefront. system. “We want Massachusetts to be that state “Something is going to happen next year,” Day TA Today welcomes letters to the editor Mfrom MTA members. Letters should — to once again carry on the mantle of ‘first in the predicted, noting that burgeoning health care costs be no longer than 200 words. Each letter nation’ — and we believe we can do it.” are crushing municipalities, businesses and individual submitted for publication must address a The MTA has long supported efforts to create households. “It’s our job as advocates to make topic covered in MTA Today, must be signed a single-payer financing system that provides equal sure that it is single-payer or something very close and must include the writer’s telephone access to comprehensive health care. In 2009, to single-payer. If working people and grassroots number for confirmation purposes. Opinions must be clearly identified as belonging to delegates to the association’s Annual Meeting passed organizations are not extremely active on this issue, the letter-writer. We reserve the right to a new business item creating a special fund through then this issue is going to be decided for us.” edit for length, clarity and style. To submit which members can make voluntary contributions to The new federal law, the Patient Protection a letter, mail it to MTA Today, 20 Ashburton Mass-Care. and Affordable Care Act, which was signed by Place, 8th floor, Boston, MA 02108 or e-mail Single-payer health insurance is a kind of President Barack Obama on March 23 after months it to [email protected]. For additional information, please refer to the publicly managed health insurance typically of political jousting, includes important benefits for guidelines posted on www.massteacher.org. administered by a public or quasi-public agency active MTA educators, retired members, children and 4 April/May 2010 Commentary Public good and public will “Having no other mines to work, Massachusetts Now more than ever, those who care must speak contract bargaining or the upcoming ballot measures has mined into the human intellect; and from its up. We must rebuild public will in support of the that would roll back sales taxes — the task is the limitless resources, she has won more sustaining public good. We need to help our neighbors and our same: and enduring prosperity and happiness than if she leaders see the essential role that public services n Speak first to the “common good” values that had been founded on a stratification of silver and play in the life of our communities and our common underpin government’s mission and purpose. gold, reaching deeper down than geology has yet well-being. We need to make the case that continued n Highlight the essential role of public systems penetrated.” budget cuts are undermining the very foundation and structures in our quality of life. — Horace Mann, first Massachusetts secretary of of the Commonwealth and threatening its future. n Awaken the citizen. education, Tenth Annual Report of the Secretary of Finally, we will need to speak frankly about the need I have my own deep roots in Massachusetts. the Massachusetts Board of Education (1846) for more revenues. My father was born in Norwood, and my parents At Public Works: the Dēmos Center for the Public and five siblings and their families live on the assachusetts has always taken pride in Sector, we work around the country with advocates, Cape. There is a family friend I fish with when I its education systems. Whether it is the community leaders, public union members, elected visit in the summers. He is a math specialist at the M incredible array of top-flight colleges officials and others who are trying to change public elementary school level. Four years ago, we talked and universities or its highly rated public education attitudes toward government and its many essential about the innovative math lab he and a colleague system, education as a public functions. Our goal is to re-engage Americans ran for second- and third-graders. His enthusiastic public good has been in the proper and necessary role that our public description of the measurable impact of this program a value held by the structures play in the life of our country. was compelling. Commonwealth since its We have been engaged in Massachusetts for Two summers ago, we talked about how his founding. Perhaps in few several years now and are privileged to be working partner had been laid off; you could feel the loss, other states is the vitality with the MTA to bring our research and field both personally and professionally. This past of a state’s economy experiences to bear on the budget and tax debates summer, I heard how the program had been shut and its quality of life that are shaping public education at the state and down and he was back to teaching all subjects to so obviously tied to the local levels. fifth-graders. education of its people. Here’s what we are up against. The dominant I am sure readers of MTA Today have countless These are traditions to views about government and taxes create real hurdles stories similar to this one. But for many people be proud of. And they are to a productive conversation about the importance of in Massachusetts, these stories are invisible and traditions at risk today. public services. Most people are only dimly aware disconnected from the contentious political and All across the country, of the day-to-day work of government and see it budgetary debates on Beacon Hill. 2010 has the feel of one Patrick Bresette mostly as some sort of partisan political theater that It is time to reconnect the dots. The quality of of those turning points for has nothing to do with them. Moreover, a narrow and life in Massachusetts is directly connected to the states and communities. Even as the worst economic consumerist view of government leads them to view level of investment in the public structures that are downturn in a generation appears to be bottoming taxes as merely “taken money.” the foundation of the Commonwealth. In the months out, the fiscal ripple effects on state and local budgets But there is hopeful news. Not far below these ahead, we look forward to working with MTA to tell will continue. And this is as true in Massachusetts as negative stereotypes, more productive ideas about this story. anywhere. the public sector are waiting to be awakened. People Patrick Bresette is the associate program The dramatic impact on the funding of public can in fact remember and value the unique mission director for public works at Public Works: the systems and services is being felt every day. This is and purpose of government — to protect and promote Dēmos Center for the Public Sector. Dēmos is a especially true for MTA members, who care deeply the common good. With help, they can focus on non-partisan public policy research and advocacy about education and have watched the growing the importance of the array of public systems and organization founded in 2000. Headquartered in difficulties facing this essential public structure over structures that keep their communities functioning. A New York City, Dēmos works with advocates and the past several years. deep-seated concern for common interests — not just policymakers around the country in pursuit of four We are at a turning point, and this is the crucial self-interest — can broaden support for public services overarching goals: a more equitable economy with question: Will we defend and rebuild the things and reconnect taxes to their purposes. widely shared prosperity and opportunity, a vibrant we do together through our public systems and This is not an easy conversation to change. It and inclusive democracy with high levels of voting structures or will we watch as they wither away and, takes clarity, consistency and persistence. In every and civic engagement, an empowered public sector with them, the quality of life we have built over debate you are involved in — whether it is about the that works for the common good and responsible many decades? state budget, local funding, an override campaign, U.S. engagement in an interdependent world. PHENOM campaign seeks support for colleges, UMass By Sarah Nathan Education Caucus in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Representative Sean Garballey he Public Higher Education Network of (D-Arlington), a graduate of UMass Lowell, Massachusetts recently launched a campaign joined with Representatives Michael Rodrigues T called “Great State of Mind” to get more (D-Westport), James Fagan (D-Taunton) and James state funding for the Commonwealth’s public col- Arciero (D-Westford) in announcing the new caucus, leges and the University of Massachusetts. which is devoted exclusively to issues relating to The multi-pronged campaign is aimed at bring- public higher education. Creation of a Senate caucus ing Massachusetts up to the national average in fund- is expected to follow. ing for public higher education and bringing down The caucus is part of an ongoing effort by student costs. To promote these efforts, PHENOM PHENOM to build support among legislators for held a day of action on Beacon Hill on March 8. “top-quality public higher education” and efforts In the morning, about 200 faculty members, Photo by Sarah Nathan to “make it affordable for all.” During this election staff and students from public colleges and UMass year, PHENOM is asking all candidates for statewide Higher education advocates rallied on March 8. rallied on Boston Common for more state funding. office and the Legislature to commit to bringing state During the rally, PHENOM staged a faux road race MTA Vice President Paul Toner and Michael funding for public higher education to at least the — “A Race to the Medium” — to highlight the need D’Entremont, vice president of the Bunker Hill national average. for more state support for public higher education. chapter of the Massachusetts Community College To learn more about the campaign and sign on, As things stand, Massachusetts is near the bottom Council, were among the speakers at the rally. visit www.phenomonline.org. More photos of the in terms of the amount of state funding allocated for In the afternoon, several state representatives PHENOM rally and press conference can be found public higher education. announced the formation of a new Public Higher at facebook.com/massteacher. April/May 2010 5 State leaders hear higher ed concerns By Laura Barrett as well as the fact you have an increased work load.” He also listed the ways the Patrick administra- ore than 40 MTA public higher education tion has demonstrated that higher education is a leaders braved a deluge on March 30 priority, including successfully lobbying the Obama M to attend a “conversation” with state administration to include significant funding for leaders in Natick, planning to urge the governor to public schools and public higher education in the withdraw his request for furlough days and push the stimulus package, obtaining approval of a higher Legislature to fund their approved but not yet funded education bond bill, creating a new law school at contracts. UMass Dartmouth and level-funding the higher Although Governor Deval Patrick had to education budget at a time when most discretionary miss the meeting because he was dealing with the allocations have been cut. flooding crisis in Southeastern Massachusetts, “Education is central to our economic develop- those who attended were able to make their points ment strategy,” Reville said. to key officials. Education Secretary Paul Reville Randy Phillis, president of the Massachusetts and Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray attended in Society of Professors at UMass Amherst, was among Patrick’s place to exchange views with the faculty those who responded that the efforts are not enough. and staff representatives. “What I have heard today is that public higher educa- The MTA participants were consistent in their tion matters, but public higher educators don’t,” message, calling for the governor to withdraw his re- Phillis said. quest for concessions and advocate for the Legislature Photo by Laura Barrett Lieutenant Governor Murray arrived for the to fund the contracts. Reville and Murray were Shauna Lee Manning, president of the Classified second portion of the meeting and was received equally consistent in their response, saying the Patrick Staff Union at UMass Boston, speaks during the warmly when he noted that his wife graduated from administration has spared public schools and public meeting on March 30. Quinsigamond Community College and his father higher education from major budget cuts and obtained enormous amount. We don’t feel as if more conces- from Worcester State College. He urged the members additional monies from the federal government, but sions are necessary.” present to tell their stories directly to state legislators, contending there isn’t enough state revenue available Goodkind chronicled the lengthy bargaining who control the budget. to address all public higher education needs. process beginning in 2007 and the concessions that “You’ve got to make it personal,” Murray said. “We expected when the contracts were finally were made, such as agreeing to a zero increase in the The participants said they will lobby the done and filed there would be an effort to get them first year and a 1 percent increase in the second year Legislature, but they are still looking for a change of funded,” said Tom Goodkind, president of the — an amount not large enough to cover the increased course from the governor. Joseph LeBlanc, president Professional Staff Union at the University of co-payments and deductibles under the state Group of the Massachusetts Community College Council, Massachusetts in Boston. “We did not expect the Insurance Commission health insurance program. said to applause: “The MCCC received the request to governor would come back with a reopener. We feel Reville responded, “This governor is acutely reopen as an insult. We will refuse to reopen. We will we made a lot of concessions. We have given up an aware that your salaries are not where they should be, refuse to take furlough days.” Members press legislators to keep contract promises By Sarah Nathan
TA higher education members are urging legislators to honor the state’s promises M and approve funding of the contracts for thousands of faculty and staff at the state’s public colleges and UMass. The campaign to secure legislative support for funding for the modest contracts that were settled months ago — yet remain in the House Ways and Means Committee — is in full swing. In March and April, MTA higher ed leaders and members held multiple meetings with legislators to seek support for the two contract funding bills, which were filed by the governor in 2009. “It’s high time that our legislators do the right thing and find a way to fund our contracts,” said Photo by Sarah Nathan Joseph LeBlanc, president of the 7,000-member MSCA President C.J. O’Donnell, front left, and state Higher Education Commissioner Richard Massachusetts Community College Council. Freeland, front right, signed the contract for state college faculty and librarians on April 6. “Without strong public higher education institutions, the state has no future. We are the fuel that drives our Patrick, in filing his second bill seeking funding, the breaking point. We still haven’t received raises, state’s economy and will move the Commonwealth took note of the state’s budget situation and called the we took a zero in FY09, and yet we are continuing to out of the current economic downturn.” contracts “the result of a cautious collective bargaining be asked to do more and more for less.” Under the Massachusetts public sector bargain- approach our administration took … to effectively re- To keep the pressure on the legislators and keep ing law, settling a contract at the table is only the spond to the extraordinary fiscal challenges.” the campaign at full throttle, CSU members are fol- first step toward implementation of the money items Earlier in the year, MTA higher ed leaders lowing up with their state representatives and senators in that agreement. After the contract is ratified and declined requests from the UMass Trustees and the each week by e-mail or phone, Manning said. executed, the higher ed employers — the UMass state Board of Higher Education to make concessions. In addition to face-to-face lobbying meetings Board of Trustees and the Board of Higher Education Classified Staff Union President Shauna Lee with legislators, the MTA has also launched an — must submit a request for funding to the governor. Manning maintains that the agreements were negoti- e-mail and postcard campaign. The governor then files a funding bill with the ated in good faith with a clear eye on the economic “We are off to a great start, but we have a long Legislature or returns the money items to the parties downturn. Manning, who represents education way to go,” LeBlanc said. “We can’t quit now. We for further bargaining. support professionals at UMass Boston, said her need a strong grassroots campaign in order to win Once funding legislation has been filed — which members are becoming increasingly frustrated by this campaign and secure contract funding.” has been done for all of the higher ed contracts — their employer and the overall process. MTA higher ed members are asked to return the the Legislature needs to pass it before the raises can “First, management gave us a contract that CSU postcards sent to their homes this spring. All MTA be implemented. members already thought was much too low, but members can send e-mails in support of the contract Higher ed leaders were scheduled to have an agreed to because of the financial times,” she said. funding bills to their local legislators via the MTA’s opportunity to press Governor Deval Patrick on this “Then they didn’t even live up to their end of the Legislative Action Center at http://www.capwiz.com/ issue at an April 27 meeting arranged by the MTA. bargain. I think many folks are exasperated and at nea/ma/state/main/?state=MA.
6 April/May 2010 Enrollments up; resources needed Community colleges take creative approaches to deal with soaring demand By Sarah Nathan Lack of funding and full-time personnel available to advise students ommunity colleges all over is a huge issue. Several MTA higher ed Massachusetts are coping with members said that full-time faculty and C a sharp increase in enroll- staff members, who can serve as aca- ment — a development that is both demic advisers to the ever-increasing promising and pressure-filled. number of students, are sorely needed. The student head count at the The decrease in the number of state’s 15 community colleges jumped academic advisers on campus is di- 10 percent this fall, according to rectly related to the declining number new statistics released by the state of full-time faculty members. In recent Department of Higher Education. years, community colleges have be- Overall, enrollment in the community come heavily reliant on adjunct faculty college system has grown by 22 per- members, who are paid minimally for cent in the last four years. each course they teach. Not surprisingly, the down Full-time faculty members, on the economy is a big reason why so many other hand, are not only contractually people are headed for the campuses required to advise a specified number across the Commonwealth. of students each semester, but are also “Students who at other times more available to do so because they may not have considered com- are on campus for longer periods of munity colleges have upped the ante time. Increasing the number of full- for everyone,” said James McDonagh, time instructors, Satham said, would Photo by Sarah Nathan help to lessen the strain on everyone. co-president of the Massachusetts Garrett Fortin, front left, an Army veteran who is in his first semester Community College Council chapter at at Holyoke Community College, seeks out 7 a.m. courses because they “People are feeling it in every Roxbury Community College, where allow him to get to his job as a woodcutter before 8:30 a.m. He is single office. I was talking with a he works as a financial aid counselor. working with Monica Perez, chair of HCC’s Criminal Justice Department. co-worker recently who took a sick “Anyone who wants to go to college day and came back to 35 voice-mail but has financial concerns is turning Once the evening classes are under at HCC. “It’s an incidental benefit of messages,” she said. “Our workdays are to us.” way, they run well into the wee hours these hybrid classes, but it is really just non-stop events, and it takes its toll The phenomenon is not exclusive of the morning. In addition to the tra- important for students to have these on folks both mentally and physically.” to Massachusetts. A report released ditional evening courses, some classes skills.” Having more people in advising in October 2009 by the Pew Research commence at 9 p.m., and there are three Karen Fagan Riedl, president of roles would also be extremely benefi- Center found that a record number of “midnight oil” classes that begin at the MCCC Chapter at HCC, where cial to students, she added, noting that young people, almost 40 percent of 11:45 p.m. and run until 2:30 a.m. enrollment has increased by 15 percent consistency is really important, yet is the nation’s 18- to 24-years-olds, were With limited space and an open- over the last two years, said she has hard to come by. enrolled in college in 2008. While en- door admissions policy, creativity is seen a real change in the student rollments have been rising over many no longer an option at the community population. hether relief is in sight is decades at both two- and four-year colleges. It’s a requirement. “Our demographic is getting an open question. On April colleges, the Pew report indicated that younger,” said Riedl, a senior aca- W 14, the House Ways and the most recent spike has taken place t Holyoke Community demic counselor at the college and a Means Committee released a draft almost entirely at two-year colleges. College, for example, the longtime adjunct professor. “There was budget that included a 14 percent In Massachusetts, Bunker Hill A course catalog includes a a time when non-traditional students decrease in public higher education Community College has seen the large number of “brick and click” or had a more significant presence here. funding for the upcoming fiscal year, biggest increase in students. To ac- hybrid classes, which combine tradi- That’s changing.” which begins on July 1. commodate the deluge — the student tional classroom learning with distance Charlotte Belezos, a social science “Without funding, we can’t do it,” population has increased by 24 percent learning. Conducting half of the class professor and co-president of the said MCCC President Joseph LeBlanc. since the fall of 2007 — the college is in cyberspace frees up valuable space MCCC Chapter at RCC, said she is “We are all about being open and in session almost around the clock. on campus and gives students real-life seeing more students coming from accessible to all, but it might be time “This semester we have courses experience with technology. four-year colleges and from nearby to put a cap on the number of full-time running, literally, seven days a week,” “Our students think they know academic institutions. students enrolled in our colleges. said Sara Satham, an academic coun- about technology because they are “In the past, we’d only get a “We are doing everything we can selor and part-time faculty member at on Facebook and have cell phones handful of people from other colleges to serve the needs of our students,” Bunker Hill. “On weekdays, classes and iPods, but they don’t know how in Boston,” she said. “Now more of LeBlanc added. “But it is definitely start at 7 a.m. and run until the late to use technology in professional those students are coming to RCC to taking its toll on us — and it is all be- afternoon, when there is a short break situations,” said Monica Perez, chair fulfill graduation requirements because ing done without a lot of appreciation before evening classes begin at 6 p.m.” of the Criminal Justice Department our courses are less expensive.” or funding from the state.”
Applications and head counts increase at state colleges and UMass By Sarah Nathan number of applicants to UMass has grown by aside by this new crop of students? That’s an open 39 percent. At the state colleges, the number has question right now.” he skyrocketing cost of private higher increased by 14 percent over the last four years. Unlike the community colleges, UMass and education and the state’s troubled economy The application and admission trends system- the state colleges do not have open-door admis- T have helped create a spike in both applica- wide have fueled demands at all levels and raised sions policies. And many of the students who tions and enrollment at the nine state colleges and numerous issues. previously may have gone to a four-year public UMass. “With the influx of students now enrolling in institution — or a private college or university, Last fall, the student head count across all community colleges who in the past have gone for that matter — are now opting for a community of the UMass campuses rose by 4 percent. At the to four-year colleges, it’s unclear what is going college. state colleges, it was up by 2 percent, according to to happen to our core population of students — “Our current economic circumstances have data provided by the Massachusetts Department the students we have traditionally served who created a new competitiveness at the community of Higher Education. don’t always have other options,” said James college level that didn’t exist before,” McDonagh There has also been a surge in the number McDonagh, a financial aid counselor at Roxbury noted. “Up until now, there has always been a seat of people seeking admission. Since 2005, the Community College. “Are they going to be swept for everyone.”
April/May 2010 7 An evolving perspective on education reform
et me start by saying we live It’s a step forward, but only a small in a time of national madness. step. It is still rooted in the “measure ‘Tests are meant to be LWith those words, education and punish” attitude of NCLB, still a thermometer, not the historian Diane Ravitch greeted 350 mean-spirited in its eagerness to MTA and AFT Massachusetts mem- punish teachers and schools that are endpoint of education. bers who attended a much-applauded struggling. We shouldn’t be closing The problem is treating speech at the Boston Teachers Union schools. We shouldn’t be punishing test scores as if they hall on April 5. schools. We should be making every are scientific rather than Ravitch has been raising the effort to help schools. I specifically spirits of teachers and critiquing her recommended that instead of closing recognizing they have former allies in the school “reform” schools, every state should have teams variability.’ movement in public talks around the of evaluators who go to schools that country. A former proponent of strict are low performing and then diagnose do not have higher performance than accountability measures, she is now the issues and help them come up with regular public schools. Charters cur- a fierce critic of the “measure, punish an improvement plan. rently enroll 3 percent of public school and stigmatize” approach to school students across the nation. With all the improvement. Q: What do you think of teacher pay- focus on charters, no one pays attention The evolution of her thinking is for-performance based in whole or in to the system that educates (well or spelled out in clear prose and compel- part on student test scores? poorly) the other 97 percent. ling detail in her new book, The Death Photo by Laura Barrett Charters should be akin to R&D labs and Life of the Great American School A: It’s a very bad idea. This whole Education historian Diane Ravitch. where teachers can learn lessons that System: How Testing and Choice are approach ignores something like a will help the overall enterprise of Undermining Education. Although century of social science, which says Q: Do you think there is any value in education. They should, to begin with, released only a few months ago, the that the single most reliable predictor “whole school” performance pay? be completely transparent with their book is already in its fourth printing. of test scores is the student’s socioeco- finances, as regular public schools must Ravitch is garnering so much nomic status. Given that poverty and A: I don’t believe in performance pay, be. No charter executive should be paid attention in part because she used to be wealth have such a huge impact, you whether for individuals or the whole more than comparable public school a leading member of the establishment have to acknowledge that a teacher is school. It promotes teaching to the test executives (in New York City, some she is now criticizing. She was an not solely responsible for the scores. and narrowing the curriculum. charter executives are paid $400,000 a assistant secretary of education under It is also unfair in that students are not year to run small charter chains). They the administration of President George randomly assigned to classrooms. Tests Q: What do you think of charter should take a fair share of children H.W. Bush and one of the founders of are meant to be a thermometer, not the schools? with high needs or should be dedicated the conservative Fordham Foundation. endpoint of education. The problem specifically to children with high needs When criticized for changing her is treating test scores as if they are A: Charters range widely in quality. or to dropouts or to others who are not views, she likes to quote the late scientific rather than recognizing they Some are excellent, some are awful and successful in the regular public schools. economist John Maynard Keynes, who have variability. most are in the middle. Overall, charters Please turn to An evolving/Page 12 was similarly challenged. He replied, SoGs-for-MTA.qxp 12/15/2008 9:58 AM Page 1 “When the facts change, I change my Paid Advertisement mind. What do you do, sir?” When the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was reautho- rized in 2002 and called the No Child Left Behind law, Ravitch was a strong supporter. Today, she believes that the approach did not work. Not only have National Assessment of Educational Progress scores remained flat in read- ing since it passed, but scores in math rose more quickly before NCLB than afterward. Ravitch is concerned that the Obama administration’s approach to the next round of ESEA reauthoriza- Bridgewater State College tion may contain more of the same Educating offers postbaccalaureate — too much focus on testing as an end programs leading to initial in itself rather than as a thermometer to for the future licensure in: aid in the diagnosis of what a school or district needs. SINCE 1840 • Early Childhood Education Ravitch is also a critic of the Race • Educational Leadership to the Top grant program for many of • Elementary Education the same reasons. Calling it “Dash to One of the oldest • Health the Cash,” she warns teachers and their institutions of higher • Physical Education unions not to pursue the program if the • Secondary Education federal government requires states and education for teacher • Accelerated Postbaccalaureate districts to implement policies that are preparation in the Program for Initial Licensure not educationally sound. United States grades 5-12 Below are Ravitch’s responses to questions posed to her by Laura Barrett Graduate programs leading to Master’s Degree in Education (MEd) include of the MTA Communications Division • Counseling • Educational Leadership • Health Promotion • Reading in two interviews, one by e-mail on • Early Childhood Education • Elementary Education • Instructional Technology • Special Education April 2 and the other in person before Other master’s degrees for educators her talk at the BTU. • Master of Arts in Teaching • Master of Science in Physical Education Post-master’s degree programs • Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership in Mental Health Counseling, Reading and School Guidance Counseling Q: What is your opinion of the Obama • A collaborative CAGS/EdD program in Educational Leadership and Reading with the University of Massachusetts Lowell administration’s approach to educa- tion, including proposals for revamping For more information, contact the School of Graduate Studies. the No Child Left Behind law? PHONE: 508.531.1300 • WEB SITE: www.bridgew.edu/SoGs • E-MAIL: [email protected]
8 April/May 2010 Level 4 schools cope with uncertainty Pace of change, confusing array of laws, rules and regulations unsettling to educators By Laura Barrett “The day after we got the news, I think a lot of people were saying, ducators in the state’s 35 ‘We’ve got to stand with each other schools designated as “Level and work hard and get through this,’” E 4” — or underperforming — said teacher Pat Pandolfo. “We wanted must prepare to implement new school to continue to be strong and feel proud redesign policies based on the state’s of the work we do every day, because recently passed Achievement Gaps there is no one who comes into that law and federal rules under the School building who doesn’t work their hard- Turnaround Grant program. est for these kids. Those rules mirror provisions of “It’s a very tough building to be the Race to the Top grant program and in,” Pandolfo said. “Discipline is diffi- therefore will have to be implemented cult. Attendance is difficult. Mobility is in districts receiving STG funds even if so high. Sixty-eight percent of our kids the state never receives RTTT funding. are ESL students. Ninety-eight percent
The most controversial federal Photo by Laura Barrett are low-income. We have shown some rules require Level 4 schools to adopt improvement on the MCAS, but not Teachers Pat Pandolfo, left, June Johnston, center, and Kerrie Kelly. one of four models for improvement: enough to get us the Adequate Yearly closure; restart, which means turning Falls High School, Massachusetts The fast pace of implementing Progress we need. the school over to a charter operator education officials and MTA attorneys changes and the confusing array “By the end of that first Friday,” or a nonprofit education management have made it clear that no state or fed- of laws, rules and regulations is she continued, “other feelings came organization; transformation, including eral laws allow the wholesale firing of unsettling to many of the teachers in out, such as fear and anxiety.” adopting new policies that “reward staff in the Commonwealth. Teachers the Level 4 schools, which are located Pandolfo and the others agreed educator effectiveness” and expand in Level 4 schools may be terminated in the following districts represented that communication from their district learning time; and turnaround, which only based on “good cause,” a standard by MTA local affiliates: Fall River, had been minimal at that point, pos- includes replacing at least half of the that includes making a determination Holyoke, New Bedford, Springfield sibly because district leaders were also staff and adopting a new governance of poor performance through use of and Worcester. There are also Level 4 confused. structure. Three of these models also evaluations. schools in Boston, Lawrence, Lowell The law requires superintendents require removing any principal who However, teachers in Level 4 and Lynn, which are represented by with Level 4 schools to establish a has been working at the school for schools may be required to reapply AFT Massachusetts locals. stakeholders’ group of no more than more than two years. for their jobs. If they are not rehired MTA Today interviewed three 13 members that includes the union Although education officials in and are not terminated under the teachers from the Chandler Elementary president or designee and at least one Rhode Island cited these federal rules “good cause” standard, positions must Community School in Worcester after teacher from the school elected by when they announced their plans to fire be found for them elsewhere in the MTA staff made a presentation to teach- the members. Chandler Elementary all of the teachers and staff at Central district. ers in the city’s two Level 4 schools. Community School was allowed to have two teacher representatives, June Paid Advertisement Johnston and Kerrie Kelly.
10 Summer They were both uncertain how Sessions the process would unfold since their to choose Master of Education: principal will have to be removed from! Art (P) under federal rules. Curriculum & Instructional Technology (I) “We were shocked to see him go Early Childhood Education (P) and at the same time we were wonder- The Programs Elementary Education (P) ing if we were next,” said Kelly. “It’s a English (P) horrible position to be in.” History (P) Johnston noted that several Literacy and Language (I) (P) teachers were exploring whether to You Want Mathematics (P) transfer out of the school to avoid the Spanish (P) uncertainty and possible sanctions. Special Education (I) Others had no intention of leaving. The Teaching of English as a For the License Second Language (I) “We don’t want to go,” said Johnston. “We wouldn’t be there if it Master of Arts: weren’t for the kids. I don’t want to You Need Educational Leadership (I) go to one of those higher-performing Graduate Certificates: schools. Our kids need us. You might Instruction Technology not see the progress they make on the Proficiency MCAS, but we see it — if you have Earn your license or PDPs from the college that’s been Children’s Literature a child from Tanzania who comes in training educators longer than any other public institution. STEM Education first grade not speaking English and then by second grade they have made We oer 22 master’s programs, seven graduate certicates Professional Development: One-Credit Online progress. and an Online Professional Development Center for Courses for Educators “The school is not as bad as it (22.5 PDPs, $169) looks on paper,” she added. “There’s a Educators. Aordably priced. Conveniently scheduled. good atmosphere. People really care.”
Lots of online options. (I) = Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure All three said they are eager for (P) = Leads to Professional Teacher Licensure teachers to have input into what the Licensure varies by program. Please contact the Graduate and Continuing Education Division for school really needs and are hoping First Summer Session Begins May 24, 2010 further clarification. that federal funds through the STG
program will help them get those resources. One thing they don’t need, however, is a longer day: Their school already takes part in the Expanded Graduate and framingham.edu Learning Time program. Continuing Education 508 626 4550 Said Pandolfo, “I hope that someone will finally listen to what we
Please turn to Level 4/Page 10 April/May 2010 9 Legislative meetings to focus Level 4 schools cope with uncertainty on preserving bargaining rights Continued from Page 9 They are hoping this isn’t another need. We need smaller class sizes. example of blaming the teachers, ini- he MTA is launching a We need reading materials that other tiating new programs and then cutting series of lobbying meetings The MMA’s bill, H. 2509, schools have gotten and we haven’t. them again due to a lack of funds or a to urge legislators to oppose would allow municipalities T We need full-time adjustment shift in focus. “It feels like we’re the a proposal by the Massachusetts to unilaterally modify their counselors and more than just one guinea pigs that people are experi- Municipal Association that would health insurance plans. special education teacher in K-6.” menting on,” said Johnston. “Or you allow municipalities to save money “I would like to see a wider range could say it feels like we don’t know by making significant changes in insurance,” said MTA President Anne of accountability,” said Kelly. “We who’s flying the plane, and we’re employees’ health insurance plans Wass. “In the past, members have need more parent involvement and heading for the Himalayas.” without having to bargain or share the often given up raises or other benefits more parent accountability.” The MTA has developed answers savings with employees. to retain good health benefits. This “We used to have funding for to frequently asked questions about The MMA’s bill, H. 2509, would bill would unfairly penalize those who teachers to do home visits, but then Level 4 schools, which are available allow municipalities to unilaterally opted to retain health benefits in place that funding was cut,” Pandolfo said. at http://links.massteacher.org/rttt. modify their health insurance plans by of other forms of compensation.” increasing or introducing co-pays and The MMA contends that MTA Ad_Layout 1 3/2/10 7:52 PM Page 1 deductibles, or other plan features in- municipal leaders are simply seeking Paid Advertisement volving a dollar amount, up to the dol- the same rights the state has in setting lar amounts charged under comparable rates and plan designs for the GIC. plans offered by the Group Insurance The MTA counters that while state Commission. The legislation stipulates employees do not collectively bargain that these changes can be made with- over their health insurance, there out any bargaining at all, either over are checks and balances in the GIC the decision to make the changes or the system that would not be in place impact of these changes. This means, under H. 2509. Employee unions are among other things, that there would represented on the GIC governing be no bargaining over sharing the cost body, and legislators appropriate the savings with employees or setting up GIC budget and set the employees’ Health Reimbursement Accounts to premium cost share. mitigate the effect of new or increased The MTA is setting up a number Graduate Education Programs co-pays and deductibles. of large meetings, mostly in May, in “This bill would take away which members from multiple associa- at UMass Lowell employee bargaining rights over tions will meet with legislators from one of the most important benefits their regions to voice their opposition our members receive — their health to the MMA bill. Extend Your Knowledge and Skills Online and Paid Advertisement On Campus
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Revisions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Activism is theme of ESP event Conference in Hyannis features live reporting and a variety of learning opportunities
By Meg Secatore
TA Today had some competition at this year’s ESP Conference. Nine members M from across the state enrolled in a new workshop, Reporting Live, to provide videos, photos and interviews from the annual event. Armed with a small Flip video camera, Lauren Wall of Nauset stopped Marie Viola of Cambridge to ask what she hoped to get out of the event, which was held April 9-10 in Hyannis. “The courses are very relevant for us in para positions,” said Viola, a five-time attendee. “We get to bounce off ideas and share what’s going on in our schools and our districts.” Tina Buonomo of Malden interviewed fellow ESP member Susan D’Entremont, who had just finished the workshop Moving Off Stuck: How to Build Strong Locals with MTA Regional Services The lucky winners of raffles at the Consultants Joy Beckwith and Ann Sullivan. ESP Conference, above, had plenty Looking straight into the camera, D’Entremont of reason to smile. The prizes said: “I think that every paraprofessional should take donated by MTA Benefits and others included iPods, gift cards this course. It was wonderful. I learned what my and a flat-screen TV. At left, ESP rights are and what I should be doing to make myself Committee Chair Donna Johnson, more active in the union.” left, shares a moment with MTA Providing coverage of the conference and its ESP of the Year Anita Thompson, 330 attendees was one objective of the workshop. who works in the Purchasing/ The other was to brainstorm ways ESPs could use Procurement Department at UMass the technology to organize in their locals. Boston and is a member of the “What I took away from the workshop was Classified Staff Union. This year’s that images are so important,” said Jean Fay a conference was held April 9-10 in kindergarten para in Amherst-Pelham. “They say Hyannis. a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, video is Photos by Meg Secatore probably worth 100,000.” Fay, who has a degree in marketing, also thinks that short videos could be a n ESP Leadership Skills, presented by Lisa image with her strong work ethic and commitment to great way for local leaders to communicate with their Connor of NEA ESP Quality and Donna Johnson, the university and union. … members. chair of the MTA ESP Committee. “Anita reminds university employees that as Along with Wall, Buonomo and Fay, Estelle n Contract Checkup, presented by MTA union members they have access to procedures laid Streeter (Westfield), Beverly Saccocia (Bridgewater- Regional Services Consultant Jason Mathes. out in their contract, and that the union stands with Raynham), Cindy Eldredge (Nauset), Patricia n Conflict Resolution, presented by Wojcik. them. Anita consistently works to move people from DiPasquale (Somerville), Rita Marshall (Woburn) n Building Power in Your Local, presented by despair and into action to resolve problems.” and Lois Powers (CSU UMass Boston) served as MTA Regional Services Consultant Ashley Adams Thompson is also a student in the university’s roving photographers and videographers. and Lorraine Niccoli, president of the Brockton Labor Studies Program and has earned a certificate Workshop offerings at the conference were a Paraprofessional Association. in union administration on her way to a full degree. mix of professional development and union skill- n Representing Your Members, presented by The ESP of the Year Award was presented by ESP building topics. Winkler, fellow MTA Regional Services Consultant Committee Chair Johnson, who also is a member of Other Friday workshops included: Steve Day and Higher Education Consultant Robert the MTA Executive Committee and is the head of n Environmental Health & Safety, presented by Whalen. her union, the University Staff Association at UMass MTA Regional Services Consultant Michael Sireci. n Grassroots Organizing the Wellstone Way, Amherst. n ESPs and Their Political Power, presented presented by MTA Regional Services Consultant The Friday dinner and a keynote speech by by MTA Governmental Services Consultant Cathy George Luse. the NEA Executive Committee’s Paula Monroe Fichtner. n Gangs — Violence Recognition and was followed by an open conversation with MTA n ESP Retirement Information, presented by Alternatives, presented by MTA Regional Manager Executive Director-Treasurer David A. Borer and MTA Retirement Consultant Mary Parry. Michael Walker-Jones, MTA Retired member John Vice President Paul Toner, who fielded a variety of n Current Trends in Special Education, Reed, State Police Sgt. Matthew A. Palermo, Officer questions about member concerns. presented by Sullivan. John Carnes of the Norwell Police Department and Princess Moss, an NEA Executive Committee n What Would You Do? What Should You Do?, Officer Robert J. Blazuk of the Marshfield Police member and the former president of the Virginia presented by MTA Regional Services Consultant Department. Education Association, closed the conference with a Lois Mason. luncheon address in which she recalled her childhood n Not Everyone Cries, presented by Joyce he conference always begins on a high as the daughter of two public school bus drivers and Hanousek, a school adjustment counselor in note at Friday’s dinner with the recognition paid tribute to the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy. the Gateway Regional School District. T of the MTA ESP of the Year. The 2010 The conference is organized by MTA’s ESP Saturday likewise offered plenty from which to honoree, Anita Thompson, works in the Purchasing/ Committee, which includes Johnson, Saccocia and choose, including: Procurement Department at UMass Boston and is a her fellow MTA Board members Millie Ficarra n Connections, presented by Al Moscaritolo member of the Classified Staff Union. (Weymouth), Kathleen Meltsakos (Pentucket) and and Melissa DeGraan of the Quincy Education In her nomination, CSU President Shauna Lee Sylvia Snape (USA), as well as Mary Peterson Association. Manning wrote: (Greenfield) and NEA Director Robert Travers, Jr. n Surface Behavior Management, presented “Anita is the consummate professional and has Nancy Robbie, MTA’s ESP organizer, serves as the by Justin Jarvis of the Southern Worcester County done volumes to enhance the image of Classified staff member on the committee. Educational Collaborative. Staff on campus. She is a passionate advocate for n Defining Yourself, presented by Joe Wojcik of CSU members and presents herself in an assertive To see the work of the conference reporters, you Apex Performance Solutions. yet dignified manner. Anita always checks her facts can visit a Facebook site set up by DiPasquale as n Effective Meetings, presented by MTA so when she speaks she has high credibility with both part of her participation in MTA’s ESP Leadership Regional Services Consultant Tedi Winkler. management and members. She enhances the ESP Action Program at http://facebook.com/mtaesp. April/May 2010 11 Budget proposal slashes vital funding he House Ways and Means “We also call on legislators to Committee has released a Federal stimulus funds save educators’ jobs adopt a series of proposals that would T $27.8 billion state budget for generate approximately $600 million in fiscal 2011 that would cut Chapter 70 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has new revenue. They include: repealing school funding by more than $100 saved or created thousands of jobs in public educa- tax exemptions on candy and soda and million and would sharply decrease tion — many of them in Massachusetts. For a story aircraft sales; eliminating the exemption spending for public higher education. on cigars and smokeless tobacco from on the ARRA’s positive impact in Brockton, pay a In response to the Ways and the excise rate; limiting the tax credit Means proposal, the MTA is calling on visit to www.youtube.com/massteacher and look on life sciences; repealing the film tax legislators to protect public education for the video titled “Stimulus Funds Save Educators’ credit; and restoring the tax rate for and other vital services by passing Jobs.” Watch www.massteacher.org for information dividends and interest to 12 percent.” a budget that adequately funds vital on how to lobby for the Keep Our Educators On the national level, the MTA accounts and increases revenues. Working Act, which was introduced recently by is advocating for immediate passage “We understand that we are facing Fifth-grade math teacher of the Keep Our Educators Working Senator Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. a serious budget shortfall,” MTA John Lynch of Brockton Act, which has been introduced by President Anne Wass said in a state- Senator Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, chairman ment released April 14, just after the of the Senate Education Committee. proposal was announced. “However, The committee’s proposal includes being made in our public schools The federal bill would provide $23 rather than simply making deep cuts, $135 million in cuts to public higher and colleges and at the University billion to extend the state stabilization we must also do all we can to increase education funding, a $116 million cut of Massachusetts,” Wass said. “We funds that were included in the revenues and invest in education. in Chapter 70 school assistance and urge every member of the Legislature initial stimulus package, which have “Education is the key to our future $37 million in cuts to local aid to cities to recognize how critical our public preserved thousands of education jobs economic well-being and must not be and towns. That adds up to a 14 percent schools and colleges are to our students in Massachusetts and across the country compromised or hindered,” she con- decrease in higher education funding, a and our economy and to join with the this year. tinued. “Cutting funding for our public 3 percent cut in Chapter 70 funding and governor in seeking full funding for schools and colleges will ultimately a 4 percent cut in local aid. local aid to cities and towns, Chapter 70 For updates on the budget, the hamper our economic prospects in “Cutting this funding will hurt our school assistance and our state’s public federal legislation and lobbying activi- both the short term and long term.” students and undermine the progress higher education system. ties, please visit www.massteacher.org.
Read Across America Resources Single-payer effort continues The NEA’s Read Across America Web site is the place to go when Continued from Page 4 America’s classrooms and into the you’re planning your RAA activities. The official RAA Day is March 2, but the reading celebration can last all year long. n Preventing health insurers from homes of millions of working families www.nea.org/readacross applying lifetime limits on the dollar who don’t have insurance, have had value of health care coverage and then coverage denied or dropped, or are Paid Advertisement canceling a policy when someone gets struggling to pay for skyrocketing sick. premiums.” n Providing Medicare-eligible A universal health care system people who fall into Medicare’s would be extremely beneficial to prescription drug “doughnut hole” with educators, their families and their $250 right away to help them cover the students, especially those who miss a gap and eventually closing the gap. lot of school or struggle in school due NEA President Dennis Van Roekel to health issues that have not been ad- gave credit for the new law to the hun- dressed because of financial obstacles dreds of thousands of NEA members or lack of insurance coverage. who actively lobbied for health care Members can support Mass-Care, reform. He said NEA members are the organization that is leading the excited about what the future holds Massachusetts campaign for single- with the law in place. payer health care, by making contribu- “Educators are eagerly awaiting tions through http://masscare.org or by the day when ailing, uninsured sending contributions to the MTA, 20 students do not miss school and spend Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108. the day in emergency rooms for Checks should be made payable to manageable medical conditions,” Van the MTA and sent to the attention of Roekel said. “We know the impact MTA Finance and Accounting Director of this legislation will reach beyond Kathleen Conway/Mass-Care.
An evolving perspective on ed reform Continued from Page 8 at the policy-making table. The current Q: What are your views on peer “reform” movement is led by powerful review? forces in the foundation world, the editorial boards and the think tanks. A: Peer review should be part of any Unions are accused of being “adult scheme for teacher evaluation. Who interests,” but in fact they represent better than experienced teachers the teachers who must implement the to judge the effectiveness of other latest plans. If teachers do not have teachers? a role in shaping them, the plans are likely to be unrealistic and fail. I think Q: What can teachers’ unions do, if this whole discussion about getting anything, to convince the public that rid of bad teachers is a red herring. It we are not the roadblock to improved distracts you from the real problem. schools? I don’t think American classrooms are filled with bad teachers. I think A: The object of blaming unions is to American classrooms are filled with make sure that teachers have no voice vast income inequality. 12 April/May 2010 MTA fights unfair pension changes By Laura Barrett “This bill is both unnecessary and was not designed to close loopholes Retirement Systems. The arguments unfair,” MTA President Anne Wass but to make systemic changes, primar- included: he MTA and other unions said in an interview. “We are lobbying ily for future employees. Proposed n All teachers in Massachusetts testified recently against a against it and urging the committee future changes include capping hired since July 1, 2001, and others T pension bill filed early this to send it to a legislative graveyard, pension benefits at $85,000, increasing who have opted into the RetirementPlus year by Governor Deval Patrick that where it belongs.” the age at which employees can retire system, pay 11 percent of their salaries could reduce benefits for members in A separate pension reform bill to by more than a year and changing from toward their pensions. At that rate, they the future, primarily affecting those address abuses to the system was ap- three to five the number of years that are funding 95 percent of the costs of hired after July 1, 2010. proved last June. MTA did not oppose are averaged for purposes of calculat- their own pensions, which is a higher The bill, H. 4440, was pending that bill since it closed loopholes that ing the pension benefit. percentage than teachers in any other before the Joint Committee on Public gave costly benefits to small numbers The MTA argued that this bill was state. (The governor’s proposal was Service as MTA Today went to press, of public employees who were able to both unfair and unnecessary, since recently modified to include reducing and the future of the proposal remained take advantage of poorly drafted rules. public employees in this state fund the 11 percent rate to 10.5 percent, but uncertain. The bill filed in January, however, most of the costs of their own pensions even at that rate the employees would themselves through substantial payroll be paying the vast majority of the costs Paid Advertisement deductions. In fact, the MTA has of their own pensions.) argued, the teacher pension system in n School districts pay nothing particular is a bargain for taxpayers toward teacher pensions, and the since it costs the employer far less than Commonwealth contributes less than 1 paying Social Security payroll taxes percent of teachers’ salaries. By contrast, would cost. if public employees participated in the MTA lobbyist Jack Flannagan, Social Security system as private-sector testifying against the bill on March 15, employees do, the Commonwealth described it as a “race to the bottom” would have to contribute 6.2 percent and spoke forcefully against provid- of their salaries into that system — at a ing lower pension benefits to new cost to taxpayers of hundreds of millions employees who will have the same job of dollars a year. responsibilities as those currently in n The average teacher pension the system. is about $37,314 a year, hardly the In lobbying, the MTA made several boondoggle that some claim. In addi- key arguments that were substantiated tion, the value of that pension erodes by research contained in documents over time since the cost-of-living produced by the Special Commission to adjustment is applied to only the first Study the Massachusetts Contributory $12,000 of pension income.
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April/May 2010 13 Collaboration is key to Springfield project NEA Foundation funds five-year effort involving SEA, school district and community By Sarah Nathan More generally, the partnership to all students,” will focus on four to six schools that Mendoza said. he Springfield Education will be selected competitively based “We believe in this Association, which is on need and readiness to undertake im- partnership’s abil- T working in collaboration provement measures. The initiative’s ity to deliver on its with the Springfield Public Schools strategies will focus on professional vision to improve and community partners, has been development, parent and community the academic awarded a $1.25 million grant from the engagement and collaboration. performance of all NEA Foundation to improve student The project will be strengthened Springfield public achievement levels. by support from the Irene E. and school students.” Springfield is one of three school George A. Davis Foundation, the State districts chosen to participate in United Way of Pioneer Valley and the Secretary of the NEA Foundation’s Closing the Pioneer Valley Project, as well as other Education Achievement Gaps Initiative out partners drawn from the business, Paul Reville, of a pool of 14,000 locals initially community and higher education Springfield Mayor Photo by Leonard Underwood considered. sectors whose resources can be tapped Domenic Sarno, Olympic medalist Jessica Mendoza talks to students. The five-year initiative is aimed at to support and sustain the program Springfield Superintendent of Schools transparent and honest about the urgent deepening collaboration at the district throughout the grant period and Alan Ingram, Davis Foundation need to close the achievement gap so and school levels by expanding joint afterward. Executive Director Mary Walachy and that the proficiency level of all our decision-making, especially concern- Jessica Mendoza, a two-time MTA President Anne Wass also spoke students — not just some of them — is ing professional development, data Olympic medalist and member of the at the press conference. raised,” Ingram said. “This multi- acquisition and analysis, along with NEA Foundation Board of Directors, “This grant opens the door to great faceted, collaborative approach is well instructional practice and curriculum made the official announcement of the things for the students of Springfield,” grounded and clear in its focus. I know delivery. grant. Later, she spoke to a classroom Wass said. “It creates a structure for it will help us make great inroads in The initiative was announced of fifth-graders about her experience teachers and administrators and ev- this important work, and we can’t wait at a Feb. 5 press conference at the on the U.S. Olympic Softball Team. eryone with a stake in the Springfield to get started.” Balliet School in Springfield. During “We believe that with their plan, Public Schools to work together to The NEA Foundation also that event, SEA President Timothy the Springfield Education Association make a difference for the children of awarded $1.25 million grants to col- Collins spoke passionately about the and Springfield Public Schools will this city. Incredible things can happen laborative partnerships in Columbus, opportunities the grant presents and create new models of cooperation when teachers are given a voice, a seat Ohio, and Durham, N.C. the important work that began during between local teachers’ unions and at the table and an opportunity to share Watch the Feb. 5 press conference the planning stages. Last May, the SEA school districts, opening the door for their years of classroom experience by visiting youtube.com/massteacher. was chosen as a finalist by the NEA the deep system changes needed to and expertise.” More photographs can be found at Foundation and awarded a $50,000 provide real educational opportunity “This school district has been very flickr.com/mtacommunications. planning grant. “This process has been a collaborative effort by the SEA, the Springfield Public Schools and some of our valued community partners,” Collins said. “We came together with What time do you have? a common belief that if we work together to empower the people closest to the actual work — teachers, administrators and parents in our schools — we can make life better for • Time to plan for retirement the children in our charge. 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14 April/May 2010 L o o k i n g t o H o n o r One of Our Own ? Is there an MTA Now is the time to recognize They can also be obtained by writing his or her contribution. or e-mailing: member who: Jo Ann Fitzgerald, MTA b Encouraged you professionally or personally? Nomination forms for the Looking to Honor 20 Ashburton Place One of Our Own Award are available at: Boston, MA 02108 b Fostered your involvement in MTA? [email protected] b Mentored you as a beginning teacher? www.massteacher.org Completed nomination forms must be received b Helped you as a student? by MTA no later than June 30, 2010.
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April/May 2010 15 Who do you trust with your auto and homeowners insurance? { Or, for you English teachers, whom do you trust? }
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MTA-135 LC 09-122
16MTA-135April/May June Total Acct 2010 Ad.indd 1 6/4/09 9:18:24 AM MTA Benefits Drivers and cell phones: a dangerous mix n 2009, 277 million cell phones were in use in the U.S., covering 89 percent of the population. I Although they offer an instantaneous and convenient way to communicate, cell phones can be dangerous. A study by the National Safety Council found that 28 percent of all crashes were the result of drivers talking or texting on cell phones. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, using either a hands-free or handheld cell phone while driving has the same im- pact on a driver’s reactions as having a blood-alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.
Texting may be the worst distraction To further complicate matters, cell phones are becoming increasingly sophisticated, containing full- fledged Web browsers, e-mail tools, media players and multimedia messaging that offer even more ways to distract drivers. The Insurance Information Institute recently highlighted some of the latest research on cell phone usage and its impact on driving. One study conducted by Virginia Tech noted that the risk of a collision is 23 times higher when a driver is texting. Unlike making a normal phone call, texting often involves a rapid back-and-forth communication, the most distracting elements of cell phone usage. which can lead to more frequent and time-consuming Hands-free cell phone users are also likely to call distractions at the wheel. In the interest of safety, if more frequently than handheld cell phone users, The university team also measured the time not for legal and insurance creating even more chances for accidents. drivers’ attention shifted away from the road during In the interest of safety, then, if not for legal and their texting. The average time the driver spent texting considerations, it makes insurance considerations, it makes sense to avoid before a crash was five seconds, which meant that the cell phone usage while driving, even in jurisdictions vehicle had typically traveled more than 100 yards dur- sense to avoid cell phone where it is currently permitted. To make or receive ing which the driver’s attention was away from traffic. usage while driving, even a call, the wise thing to do is to pull off the road and park while using the phone. Speeding adds to the problem in jurisdictions where it is Further information can be found on the follow- To compound the impact of these statistics, to- currently permitted. ing Web sites: day’s teens have a distorted view of what constitutes n National Safety Council: www.nsc.org. speeding. A survey of teens conducted by San Diego n National Highway Traffic Safety State University and cited by the institute found that Insurers, law enforcement authorities and legislators Administration: www.NHTSA.gov. new teen drivers consider speeds in excess of 88 are examining laws and policies that outright prohibit n Insurance Information Institute: www.iii.org. miles per hour to be speeding. Even more alarming, usage or severely restrict it. For many more eye-opening statistics about how the survey revealed that teen drivers who had been Some states even ban usage of hands-free distractions affect driving, visit www.distraction. guilty of a traffic violation defined speeding as phones, reasoning that a conversation takes the gov/research. For information about money-saving driving in excess of 93 miles per hour. driver’s attention away from the road. In addition, auto insurance for your teen drivers and other The mix of speed and inattention due to cell a study by the NHTSA revealed that 40 percent of family members, visit www.mtabenefits.com or call phone usage increases the probability of accidents. hands-free cell phone users had to redial, one of 800.336.0990. What’s new to do? A member’s Find out on www.mtabenefits.com success story Want new places to go and new things to try that are free or provide discounts to MTA members? Click on the “What’s New” section of the MTAB Web site home page. These are the kinds of Financial success is not just making money; it’s exciting events and activities you’ll find: also saving money. Here’s what one MTA member u Adv enture films on a said about the impressive savings she realized five-story-high screen. through MTA Benefits: u MTA nights at sports events. ‘When I started working full time in education u Lau gh-out-loud about two years ago, I joined MTA to take advan- improvisations at a comedy club. tage of the benefits. I signed up for auto insurance, u Cru ises to dream destinations. which included coverage for two teenage drivers, u Wor ld-class art exhibits and homeowners insurance. at a leading museum. I saved 25 percent by switching to MTA Benefits — u Sen sational savings at a almost $1,000 on the yearly auto premium and more top hotel chain. than $500 a year on homeowners insurance. The u Hol iday celebrations auto policy allows me to defer coverage for my son at a historic house. when he is away at college, a great feature. And u Dis count days at a big when we’ve had claims on the policy, the service shopping outlet. has been phenomenal.’ u And much, much more! — Mary Jayne Rossman, Massachusetts You’ll also find information on discounted auto, home, life, dental, disability and other insurance Council of Community Colleges- programs, along with a wealth of additional resources to make your life easier and save you time. Springfield Technical Community College
April/May 2010 17 Good Reasons to Belong to MTA/NEA Retired YOUR ORGANIZATION CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT
The Massachusetts Teachers Association is your organization. It gets As a member of MTA Retired and NEA Retired, you will participate in the its strength from 107,000 MTA members and from its national governance of your union. You will help elect two retired members to the affiliation with the 3.2-million-member National Education Association. MTA Board of Directors and one retired member to the MTA Executive Committee —members with full voting rights. Your membership in MTA Retired and NEA Retired gives you the ability to keep abreast of educational, political and legislative issues. The MTA Retired Members Committee meets throughout the year to provide a forum for retired members to address and pursue issues of concern. MTA and its members dedicate significant resources to working to maintain and improve the benefits of retired members. Eight MTA Retired members are elected to the MTA Retired Members Committee by the MTA Retired delegates to the MTA Annual Meeting. In addition, MTA provides some financial support for MTA Retired delegates MTA RETIRED MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS to the MTA Annual Meeting, the annual NEA Representative Assembly, the For decades, MTA has led the way for most of the key legislation enacted NEA Retired Annual Meeting and the NEA Retired Regional Conference. to improve benefits for retired members.
MTA believes that our members should have a financially sound MTA BENEFITS retirement upon the completion of active employment. MTA Benefits, a wholly owned subsidiary of MTA, provides members MTA serves as a strong advocate for its retired members through with a vast array of competitive programs in long-term care, dental MTA’s Legislative Program. Through organized political action under and homeowners insurance; mortgages; credit cards; travel and hotel the auspices of MTA, your concerns about COLAs, Social Security, discounts; and a range of consumer products. pension benefits and improving the standard of living for retirees Your MTA Retired card means reduced or free admission at more than are actively addressed. 1,000 cultural, recreational and entertainment attractions and locations MTA Governmental Services provides research on, and testimony for, nationwide. maintaining and improving post-retirement benefits. For more information, call 800.336.0990 or log on to www.mtabenefits.com. MTA’s Division of Governmental Services has six registered lobbyists who advocate for active educators and retired members. When MTA COMMUNICATIONS lobbyists speak to legislators, legislators know that they represent 107,000 members. Receive information of special interest to retired members through MTA Today, NEA Today, the MTA Reporter, This Active Life and other publications. Receive timely updates by e-mail on matters relating to pension and retirement from both Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill as a member of the MTA Retired e-lert system. NEA and MTA maintain Web sites with valuable information for retired members: www.nea.org and www.massteacher.org.
GOOD Select Membership Options: REASONS TO BELONG TO Membership Form MTA/NEA RETIRED MTA Retired Annual $30. MTA Retired and NEA Retired MTA Retired Life $345. MTA Retired Age 80+ $0. MTA Member ID # and NEA Retired Annual $25. NEA Retired Life $200. Name total enclosed $ Address City Tear off this form and send it with a check for the appropriate amount, made payable to the MTA, to: State ZIP ( ) Membership Accounting Telephone Massachusetts Teachers Association E-mail 20 Ashburton Place ( ) Boston, MA 02108 Fax
Estimated Date of Retirement You can also join online by visiting: Prior Local Association www.massteacher.org
There are 107,000 good reasons to belong to MTA Retired— the 107,000 women and men who make up the strongest force for public education in Massachusetts.
18 April/May 2010 Regional retirement consultations available Offset repeal effort continues
The MTA conducts retirement consultations throughout the state to assist NEA video reveals impact of GPO and WEP members. Proof of membership must be submitted when requesting he NEA has released a new retirement services. This schedule is in effect from September to June. In the video highlighting the impact ‘Penalties for Public Service’ event of inclement weather, it is advisable to call consultants in advance. of the Government Pension The GPO/WEP video can be seen: ASHBURNHAM — Robert Zbikowski: MTA Western Office, 55 Bobala Road, T Offset and Windfall Elimination second Thursday of each month (walk in), Suite 3, Holyoke; 413.535.2415, or at home, Provision on educators. n On the NEA Web site at http:// 4 to 8 p.m., Overlook Middle School library, 413.737.7509. www.nea.org/home/16491.htm front entrance, 10 Oakmont Dr., Ashburnham; The video, which runs just over LYNNFIELD — Mary Parry: third and fourth 978.827.1425, or at home, 978.297.0123; e-mail: six minutes long, features an introduc- n Saturdays of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to On YouTube at: http://www.you- [email protected]. tion and closing call to action by NEA 1 p.m., MTA Northeast Office, 50 Salem St., tube.com/watch?v=XeVDDBtFfW0 AUBURN — Louise Gaskins: first and second Building B, Lynnfield; 781.246.9779, or at home, President Dennis Van Roekel, along Saturdays of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 978.372.2031; fax, 978.372.2035. with testimonials from impacted NEA p.m., MTA Central Office, 48 Sword St., Auburn; members about the unfair offsets. Social Security reform will have to be PITTSFIELD — Ward F. Johnson: second 508.791.2121, or at home, 978.448.5351. Saturday of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. The GPO reduces the spousal addressed in Congress soon, and the BOSTON — Harold Crowley: Tuesdays, to 1 p.m., MTA Berkshire Office, 188 East or survivor benefits of educators and NEA will be pushing for repeal of the Wednesdays and Thursdays (by appointment St., Pittsfield; 413.499.0257, or at home, other public employees by an amount offsets as part of any package. In the only), 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., MTA, 20 Ashburton 413.443.1722; e-mail: [email protected]. equal to two-thirds of their public meantime, the NEA continues to raise Place, Boston; 617.742.7950, ext. 8240, or RAYNHAM — Sandra Stephenson: third pensions. The WEP affects people the need for repeal in as many different 800.392.6175, ext. 8240. Saturday of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to who have worked in jobs in which legislative venues as possible, making BRAINTREE — Mary Hanna: second Saturday 1 p.m., MTA Southeast Office, 90 New State they have earned Social Security and it part of any discussion on recruitment of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Highway (Rte. 44), Raynham; 508.822.5371, in jobs in which they have not earned and retention of talented educators. MTA Metropolitan Office, 100 Grandview or at home, 508.747.2234; e-mail: rockowl@ Road, Braintree; 781.380.1410, or at home, aol.com. Edward Nelson: fourth Saturday of Social Security benefits. All members of the Massachusetts 781.545.2069. each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MTA In recent months, the congressio- congressional delegation — except Southeast Office, 90 New State Highway (Rte. CAPE COD — Lawrence Abbruzzi: second nal agenda has been focused on health newly elected U.S. Senator Scott 44), Raynham; 508.822.5371, or at home, Saturday of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. insurance reform, jobs and national se- Brown — are strong supporters of the 508.853.5769. to 1 p.m., Barnstable Teachers Association curity, leaving little room for action on repeal effort and are co-sponsors of the (BTA), 100 West Main St., Suite #7, Hyannis; Higher edUCATION At-Large — Edward other items, including Social Security. proposal. 508.775.8625, or at home, 508.824.9194. McCourt, Massachusetts Bay Community However, support continues to grow To receive regular updates on the College, Wellesley; 781.239.2207; e-mail: HOLYOKE — Dennis O’Connor: third Saturday of for the Social Security Fairness Act, effort to repeal the offsets, please send [email protected]. each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., which would completely repeal both your name, complete address, MTA offsets. The House bill, H.R. 235, has ID number, current or former local Note: If you or your association would like to have a retirement workshop at your 320 co-sponsors, while the Senate association affiliation and home e-mail school, your local president should call Harold Crowley at 800.392.6175, ext. 8240. legislation, S. 484, has 30. address to Jo Ann Fitzgerald, MTA Please be aware that the MTA does not have a record of your service, so members are advised to bring that information along to meetings. Repeal of the offsets remains a retired members service specialist, at top priority for the NEA and the MTA. [email protected].
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By Bob Duffy Gerri Fegan, president of the Massachusetts School Library ibraries are “agents of recovery” Association, second from right, that are more important than and Sandy Kelly, right, the ever in difficult economic times. association’s immediate past L president, were among the That was the message conveyed hundreds of people who rallied in by a crowd of several hundred educa- front of the State House on March tors, librarians and concerned citizens 9 to call for budget cuts to be who gathered one recent morning on reversed. After the event, many Beacon Hill. members of the MSLA and the The occasion was a lobby day Massachusetts Library Association sponsored by the Massachusetts spent the afternoon lobbying Library Association and the legislators to provide libraries with Massachusetts School Library adequate resources. Association. Representatives of both Photo by Bob Duffy organizations, joined by concerned citizens, made it clear that they were tired of seeing libraries bear the brunt of repeated budget cuts. “We need to make sure that Summer is on the horizon! there is adequate funding for the Massachusetts library system and that all of the services for our children in We’re excited for you. schools and public libraries get every- thing they need,” said MSLA President Gerri Fegan, a librarian at High Plains Elementary School in Andover. “Right now that funding has been sorely cut, and we want that money restored.” State Senator Steven Tolman (D-Brighton), who spoke at the rally, echoed the sentiment that in hard times, libraries are an especially vital resource. of Go Ahead Tours “Where does a person go when 96% they are unemployed or they are down customers say they’d travel and out without a computer and they want to seek employment and they with us again or recommend want to write a résumé? They go to the library,” Tolman said as he addressed us to their friends. the crowd gathered in front of the State House. “In these dark economic times, would we close the doors to the tool that educates the general public?” The MSLA and the MLA have joined forces to fight the cuts because while school and public libraries have different missions, they are both essential to academic success. Studies have determined that there is a signifi- cant link between strong libraries and student achievement. “Over three-quarters of the members of the regional library system are actually school libraries, which depend heavily on the databases and $150 discount for MTA members professional development services that the regional library system provides,” noted Sandy Kelly, a librarian at Go Ahead’s comprehensive tour packages include round-trip airfare, transportation, hotels, Carlisle Elementary School. a local tour director, guided sightseeing and optional excursions ... and so much more! After the rally, many members of the MSLA spent the afternoon of Call us today at 1.888.466.2849 to take advantage of this special offer March 9 visiting lawmakers to urge that investments in libraries be main- or visit us online at www.mtavacations.com. tained. They also called for legislation that would require the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish standards for school library programs and require that an individual at the DESE oversee the effort. “School librarians want someone at the DESE charged with making a long-term plan for Massachusetts school libraries,” said Judi Paradis, a librarian at the Plympton Elementary School in Waltham who serves as the If you find the same tour for less, we’ll match the price. secretary of the MSLA. $ Best Price Guarantee
20 April/May 2010 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES Agenda features issues, awards
By Meg Secatore TA President Anne Wass will call to order Candidate information her last MTA Annual Meeting of Delegates M on Friday, May 7, when more than 1,000 members gather at the Hynes Convention Center for For bios and photos of candidates for President, the association’s 165th meeting. Wass, who will step down as MTA president Vice President, Executive Committee and the MTA Board in July, will be honored with the Louise E. Gaskins of Directors, see pages 24 through 28. Lifetime Civil Rights Award at the meeting’s prelude, the Human and Civil Rights Awards Banquet on May 6. “Anne has that rare and special quality of Shift Happens, now in its fourth iteration. If you are fabulous for me to work with such a thoughtful, overall goodness and sincere interest in people and not among the more than 1.2 million viewers of the helpful and experienced colleague. We share ideas, their issues,” former Braintree latest version of this influential presentation (a.k.a. we discuss issues and strategies, Education Association President Did you Know?), head over to http://shifthappens. and we share laughter as well.” Kathleen Harrigan wrote in her wikispaces.com/ . Two people will be honored nomination. “She opens her McLeod addressed the NEA Board of Directors with the association’s Friend of heart to people. As a teacher, she at its December 2009 meeting. His presentation, Education Award: Peter Meade, would pay particular attention Teaching and Learning in an Era of Disruptive president of the Edward M. to students in her class who Innovation, included these points: Kennedy Institute for the United struggled to learn or were social n Education is facing multiple disruptive States Senate, and Fitchburg outcasts. … Her classroom innovations. State College President Robert Anne Wass Tom Gosnell atmosphere was one of respect n The existing educational model is not a given. V. Antonucci. for one another, and she did not tolerate unkind n Good organizations with good people will In her letter of nomination for Meade, Wass words or actions.” disappear if they don’t understand the “natural laws” said he should be recognized for “a long history of Harrigan, who serves as Wass once did on of disruptive innovation. advocating for and defending public education.” As the association’s Equal Opportunity Council, also Also on the agenda for Friday are leadership chair of the successful campaign to defeat the 2008 recalled that Wass and former MTA President reports from Wass, Vice President Paul Toner and tax-repeal ballot effort known as Kathleen Roberts were made honorary members of Executive Director-Treasurer David A. Borer. A Question 1, Meade was “one of the NEA American Indian/Alaska Native Caucus report will also be presented on the joint MTA/AFT a very few businessmen who put for their many years of work on behalf of Native Early Childhood Education Organizing Campaign, a themselves on the line,” Wass American students. new initiative that was approved at the 2009 Annual wrote. Wass “is credited and remembered for Meeting. Delegates will also take up bylaw and Meade, who is married to overseeing the implementation and monitoring of rules changes and several proposed resolutions. The former MTA president Roseanne MTA’s Equal Employment and Affirmative Action business session will end with a report on the Public Bacon Meade, joined the Plan,” Harrigan recalled, and for speaking out Relations/Organizing Campaign from Toner and Kennedy Institute last August. Peter Meade nationally at the NEA RA in support of gay rights. speeches by candidates for MTA statewide offices, As its leader, Meade “is deeply Another former MTA including president and vice president. committed to the educational part of the institute and president, Mary Gilmore, will feels strongly that social studies teachers should be be presented with the Kathleen he session will be called to order again at provided with the materials and resources they need Roberts Creative Leadership 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, and the early to effectively teach about government, civics and Award. Her nominator, T portion will feature the presentation of how the Senate works,” Wass wrote. “He constantly Louise Gaskins, lists “vision, several awards. talks about how important it is to have teachers be enthusiasm, commitment, Jae Goodwin, a member of the Framingham part of the process in anything that affects policy.” compassion and loyalty” among Teachers Association, will be recognized as the 2010 Antonucci has served as FSC president since Gilmore’s admirable qualities. Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Goodwin teaches 2003, but has made “a lifetime of contributions to Mary Gilmore “Early on, I had the fifth grade at the Charlotte preK-12 students,” according to nominator Ronald personal experience of these qualities and her A. Dunning Elementary Colbert, an MTA Board member and a faculty support of diversity,” Gaskins wrote. “She flew with School, where her classroom is member in the college’s education department. me to Washington to present me to the NEA Board known not as a “room” but as Antonucci began his career as a teacher and of Directors as the first Ethnic Minority Director to “Community 27.” administrator in Lunenburg. He has also served represent Massachusetts and to make sure there were An avid adopter of as an assistant superintendent in Leominster and ‘no snags.’” instructional technology, superintendent in Falmouth. He was the state’s Although this year’s Annual Meeting will Goodwin has her class blog commissioner of education from 1992 to 1998, not include a Friday morning Exposition, MTAB book reviews, maintain a Web Jae Goodwin playing a key role in the implementation of the sponsors, candidates and a few organizations will site and study with podcasts. Education Reform Act of 1993. have booths in the hall. “I want to encourage teachers to take a risk, step Antonucci “is honest about his accomplishments Paradigm shifts in education will be the topic of out of their comfort zones and embrace technology,” and the challenges he has faced Friday’s Keynote Address and she told MTA Today at the start of her term in 2009. during a long career in public Issues Forum. Scott McLeod, “Extending the walls of our classrooms can be education. He is known as a director of the Center for the invigorating for us and our students. To truly relate to fervent supporter of public Advanced Study of Technology our students, we must speak their language. Bringing higher education. He has been Leadership in Education at Iowa in iPods and music, dancing, digital cameras, blogs, a robust advocate of strong State University, will set the online field trips and videos can transform our community colleges, state stage with his talk, Dangerously classrooms into engaging, interactive environments colleges and our university Irrelevant: Ruminations on fit for the 21st century!” system,” Colbert wrote. Technology, Leadership and the MTA’s President’s Award will be given to AFT Delegates will consider and Robert Antonucci Scott McLeod Future of Our Schools. Massachusetts President Tom Gosnell. approve the MTA budget on McLeod and Colorado “Tom and I began our presidencies at the same Saturday, which is also election day, with polls open teacher Karl Fisch are co-creators of the viral video time,” Wass wrote in her nomination. “It has been from 8 to 11 a.m. April/May 2010 21 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES Schedule of Events Thursday, MAY 6 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Hynes Hall A Reception Area, 1st Floor 2 – 4 p.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor Dismantling of MTA Candidates’ Booths MTAB Sponsors’ Registration 7 p.m. on Boston Restaurants and Cultural Venues 2 – 4 p.m. Hynes Hall A Reception Area, 1st Floor Dinner and Evening Events (on Your Own) MTA Candidates’ Booth Registration Saturday, MAY 8 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Sheraton Boston Hotel, Republic Ballroom, 2nd Floor 8 a.m. Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor Human and Civil Rights Awards Cocktail Reception Business Session Doors Open 7:30 – 10 p.m. Sheraton Boston Hotel, Republic Ballroom, 2nd Floor 8 – 11 a.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner and Recognition of Local Presidents Delegate and Non-Delegate Registration Friday, MAY 7 8 – 11 a.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor (Voting Area) 8 – 9:30 a.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor Election: Polls Open MTAB Sponsors’ Registration 8 a.m. – Noon Hynes Hall B Reception Area, 1st Floor 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Hynes Plaza Level, Main Lobby Information Booth/Message Center Emergency Medical Technician 8 a.m. – Noon Hynes Hall B Reception Area, 1st Floor 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor Boston Concierge Service Desk Delegate and Non-Delegate Registration 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor MTAB Sponsors’ Booths MTAB Sponsors’ Booths 8 a.m. – Adjournment Hynes 107, 108, 109 and 110, 1st Floor 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Hynes Hall A Reception Area, 1st Floor Caucus Rooms MTA Candidates’ Booths 8 a.m. – Adjournment Hynes Plaza Level, Main Lobby 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Hynes Hall B Reception Area, 1st Floor Emergency Medical Technician Boston Concierge Service Desk 9 a.m. Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Hynes 107, 108, 109 and 110, 1st Floor Business Session Reconvenes Caucus Rooms 9 – 9:30 a.m. Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Hynes Hall B Reception Area, 1st Floor Presentation of Awards Information Booth/Message Center 10 a.m. (Approximately) Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor (ABC Table) 11 a.m. Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor Saturday Final Deadline: New Business Items without Budgetary Implications Business Session Doors Open 10:55 a.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor (Voting Area) 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor (Bylaws and Rules Committee Table) Admittance/Briefing of Observers Final Deadline: Submit Proposed Amendments to the Standing Rules 11 a.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor (Voting Area) 12:30 p.m. Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor Election: Polls Close Business Session Convenes 11 a.m. Sheraton Boston Hotel 4 p.m. on Sheraton Boston Hotel Hotel Checkout Hotel Registration for Local Presidents 11 a.m. – Noon Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor (Voting Area) Prior to Recess Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor (ABC Table) Election Tabulation Friday Deadline: New Business Items without Budgetary Implications 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor Prior to Recess Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor (ABC Table) Dismantling of MTAB Sponsors’ Booths Final Deadline: New Business Items with Budgetary Implications 11:15 a.m. – Adjournment Hynes Hall B Reception Area, 1st Floor Prior to Recess Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor (Resolutions Committee Table) Non-Delegate Registration Final Deadline: Proposed Resolutions 11:15 a.m. – Adjournment Hynes Hall B Reception Area, 1st Floor 6 p.m. (Approximately) Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor Late Delegate Seating Business Session Recesses 12:15 p.m. (Approximately) Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor (Podium) 6 p.m. Sheraton Boston Hotel Election Results Announced Hotel Check-in for Delegates 1 – 1:30 p.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor (Voting Area) 6 – 7 p.m. Hynes 101, 1st Floor Runoff Election: Polls Reopen (if Necessary) Resolutions Committee Meeting 1:25 p.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor (Voting Area) 6 – 8 p.m. Hynes 103, 1st Floor Admittance of Observers (if Necessary) New Business Review Meeting 1:30 – 2 p.m. Hynes Hall A, 1st Floor (Voting Area) 6:15 – 7 p.m. Hynes Rooms 102 and 107, 1st Floor Runoff Election Tabulation (if Necessary) Candidate Speeches for Contested Seats: 2 p.m. Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor (Podium) Region H: Hynes Room 102 Runoff Election Results Announced (if Necessary)
Retired Members Committee: Hynes Room 107 BUSINESS SESSION ADJOURNS
22 April/May 2010 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES Business session agenda FRIDAY, MAY 7 24. Presentation of MTA Special Recognition Award for the Recipient of the 2010 Massachusetts Teacher 1. Call to Order (12:30 p.m.) of the Year Award Anne Wass, President, Presiding Jae Goodwin, Framingham Teachers Association 2. Pledge of Allegiance 25. Presentation of the President’s Award Paul Toner, Vice President Tom Gosnell, President, AFT Massachusetts 3. “The Star-Spangled Banner” 26. Presentation of MTA Friend of Education Award 4. Moment of Remembrance Robert V. Antonucci, President, Fitchburg State College 5. Announcements Peter Meade, President, Edward M. Kennedy Institute Anne Wass, President for the United States Senate 6. Adopt the Preliminary Credentials Report (Quorum) 27. Act on Proposed New Business Items Maurice Bracken, Chair, Credentials and Ballot Committee with Budgetary Implications 7. Adopt the Order of Business 28. Act on the Recommendations of the MTA Board of Directors 8. Act on Proposed Amendments to the MTA Standing Rules on the Annual Budget in Two Parts from Which the Annual Gary Gilardi, Chair, Bylaws and Rules Committee Dues Will Be Determined for FY 2010-2011 9. Report on Certified Candidates Paul Toner, Vice President, and Chair Maurice Bracken, Chair, Credentials and Ballot Committee of the Advisory Budget Committee 10. Presentation a. Presentation and Discussion on the Grants to MTA for the MTA Red Sox Reading Game Recommended Operating Budget and the MTA Boston Celtics Honor Roll Program b. Act on the Annual Operating Budget 11. MTA Leadership Reports c. Presentation and Discussion on the a. Anne Wass, President, and Paul Toner, Vice President Public Relations/Organizing Campaign Budget b. David A. Borer, Executive Director-Treasurer d. Act on the Proposed Public Relations/Organizing 12. Keynote Address and Issues Forum Campaign Budget Dangerously Irrelevant – Ruminations on Technology, Article IV, Section 1C of the MTA Bylaws: Leadership, and the Future of Our Schools “…The adoption of the budget will automatically Scott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D, Director, Center for the determine the annual dues for active members Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education, rounded to the next higher dollar amount.” Iowa State University 29. Adopt the Results of the Election 13. MTA/AFT Joint Early Childhood Education Maurice Bracken, Chair, Credentials and Ballot Committee Organizing Campaign Update 30. Video: “Greetings from the National Education Association” 14. Act on Proposed Resolutions Dennis Van Roekel, NEA President Diana Marcus, Resolutions Committee 31. Act on the Proposed Electoral Region and District Plan 15. Act on Proposed Amendments to the MTA Bylaws John DeCicco, Electoral Review Committee Gary Gilardi, Chair, Bylaws and Rules Committee 32. Additional Proposed Resolutions (if Necessary) 16. Act on Proposed New Business Items Diana Marcus, Chair, Resolutions Committee 17. Report on the Public Relations/Organizing Campaign 33. Adopt the Results of Any Runoff Election (if Necessary) Paul Toner, Vice President and Co-Chair of the Maurice Bracken, Chair, Credentials and Ballot Committee Public Relations/Organizing Campaign Committee 34. Adopt the Final Credentials Report 18. Adopt the Supplemental Credentials Report Maurice Bracken, Chair, Credentials and Ballot Committee Maurice Bracken, Chair, Credentials and Ballot Committee 35. Act on Proposed New Business Items 19. Statewide Candidate Speeches without Budgetary Implications 20. Recess 36. Introduction of the President-Elect and the Vice President-Elect saturday, MAY 8 a. Remarks by the President-Elect The Saturday Session Lasts through Adjournment with No Lunch Break b. Remarks by the Vice President-Elect 37. Remarks by the MTA President 21. Call to Order (9 a.m.) 38. Announcements and Points of Personal Privilege 22. Announcements 39. VOTE Giveaway Anne Wass, President 40. Adjournment 23. Adopt the Supplemental Credentials Report Maurice Bracken, Chair, Credentials and Ballot Committee
April/May 2010 23 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES
Candidate for MTA President: Paul F. Toner, Cambridge
y name is Paul Toner and I am a candidate for President of the Massachusetts M Teachers Association. I am running for MTA President because I believe that I am the best and most prepared person to lead MTA through what are certain to be some of the most challenging years we have faced as a profession, a union and a nation. My years of experience as MTA Vice President, MTA Board member, local president, middle school social studies teacher, lawyer and public school parent have prepared me to lead our state association. As MTA Vice President I have had the honor of working with and being mentored by President Anne Wass, a true champion of collective bargaining and teacher unionism for more than 30 years. Together we have worked tirelessly with our Executive Committee, MTA Board of Directors, local and chapter presidents, MTA staff and other statewide unions and progressive organizations to protect well-earned rights at the local collective bargaining table, at the State House and in the media. We have fought hard to preserve what many of our veteran and retired members achieved over decades of union activism. My vision of the MTA is as a union of professional educators where we serve two equally important functions. First, as the largest labor union in the Commonwealth we are a proud voice for workers’ rights, collective bargaining, due process in the workplace, improved compensation and benefits, human rights and social justice. As a local president, I fought hard on behalf of teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, clerks and substitutes to protect their contractual rights and improve their salaries. I successfully chaired and negotiated 15 collective bargaining agreements and filed, presented and resolved hundreds of grievances. I truly understand the demanding nature of being a local or chapter president and I thank you for all that you do on behalf of our members. As MTA President, I will support you and our local leaders as you face the daily challenges in defending our members and our contracts. I will in education is all around us and we must position across the state around the issues they face daily in work to maintain MTA’s position as the leading labor ourselves to lead the conversation for positive their classrooms and on their campuses. Those issues organization in the state and be a strong advocate change in order to improve our schools and support I’ve heard in discussions with leaders and members for public education employees. I will stand in our students. Where there are issues to be addressed, from around the Commonwealth include: vigilant opposition whenever those in government such as significant achievement gaps between our • Increasing amounts of testing and espouse policies that are detrimental to our rights. student populations, we must not shy away from assessments. President Obama’s and Secretary Duncan’s support these challenges. We must be the agent of positive • Overwhelming special education for the mass firings of teachers in Rhode Island changes to improve public education, and we must paperwork. is an example. Such an outrageous strategy is not present our models of teacher-led change. Teachers’ • Lack of real teachers’ voices in setting going to help improve our schools. If teachers’ unions are not the problem; we have the solutions. education policy. unions and their contracts were the problem, why MTA and your locals have had some very • Reducing the reliance on part-time faculty is Massachusetts, which is one of the most highly tough battles over the past few years. Together we on our college and university campuses. unionized states in the country, number one in the successfully fought off Question 1 and stopped the • Making Massachusetts number one in nation on the National Assessment for Educational rollback of the state income tax, which would have per capita expenditures in public higher Progress in reading and math? Teachers’ unions cut state revenues by $12 billion and devastated education instead of number 46. are not the problem; we have the solutions. The public services in Massachusetts. We lobbied • Controlling spiraling healthcare costs. mass firing of teachers is a political gimmick together to get federal stimulus money to preserve • Reversing the Government Pension Offset masquerading as innovation at the expense of funding for public education. These funds saved and Windfall Elimination Provision. dedicated teachers. several thousand MTA members’ jobs this year. In • Increasing the cost-of-living allowance on I believe the MTA, in addition to being a strong these challenging economic times, we have many state pensions. union, must also be the voice of our profession and more battles before us. More than ever, we must • Maintaining a defined benefit pension plan public education. Many others in the public arena be vocal and proactive in promoting our agenda for our active members. claim to speak on behalf of public education and the for advancing the interests of our students and our These battles can only be won by collective best interests of our students. Those others may be members. We must be the leading advocates for action. As your MTA President I will welcome the self-proclaimed education experts, but we are the increasing revenues and resources for our schools, opportunity to lead you in those important battles. true experts. Our strength lies in that expertise and in campuses and communities. We have a lot of work ahead of us. We need our united voice. As President, my main priority will be to to continue the fight for our members and public We must all work together to make our work with each and every one of you to move our education. I ask that you join me in this fight and collective voices heard over those of the think tanks, members to greater mobilization and collective give me your vote on Saturday, May 8, 2010, at the policymakers, politicians, and biased media. Change action. I want to organize and mobilize members MTA Annual Meeting of Delegates.
24 April/May 2010 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES
Candidate for MTA President: Paul J. Phillips, Quincy
We ARE the MTA How connected are you as a member to your union, your MTA? When you refer to MTA, do you say “they,” or do you say “we”? I say “we.” We’re stronger when we all say “we.” We ARE the MTA. All of us. When MTA speaks out on an issue, do you hear MTA speaking for you, or about you? When they think of members, do your leaders think “we” or “they”? MTA’s disconnectedness from our membership has been worsening. Major initiatives at Annual Meeting and the Board in 2009 would have extended officer terms and did raise officer pay. Mr. Toner did not oppose the initiatives. I opposed both. Both initiatives alienate officers from members. The experiences of this year, the Education Reform Bill, and the Race to the Top (RTTT) experience convinced me that MTA still responds to challenges incorrectly. We disengage, disempower, and render members passive and voiceless at the very moments we need engagement, power, mobilization and voices. I had intended to retire soon; but I put aside my plans and announced my candidacy for MTA President. I offer myself as a proven organizer, proven mobilizer, and proven communicator. Yes, I announced “late”; but I offer a real alternative. I know the power of impassioned, mobilized members. I experienced it in Quincy through crises, and through successful bargaining. I’ve led a strike and I’ve led bargaining making important changes to our municipal health insurance. I succeeded in interest-based and regular bargaining. Every success resulted from the involvement, mobilization, POWER and commitment of members. I spoke FOR our members, not TO them, or ABOUT them. Having that power behind a leader is the greatest feeling in organized labor, whether it’s the QEA or the MTA. Have you ever imagined the power of 107,000 unified members? I do daily. Every four or five years, MTA undergoes “organizational renewal” efforts. I’ve been involved in them since 1980. I first became involved in MTA through a group called “The Reform Caucus” evaluations for PTS decisions, licensure issues, We’re Under Attack whose sole purpose was to make MTA member- promotions, pay and summative evaluations — Restructurings, Central Falls-style attacks on driven. Each organizational renewal effort, JCOR, keeping or losing your job! Basic issues of wages, teachers, forced changes to health insurance, pension the “Dolan Movement,” “Ask a Teacher,” and hours and working conditions are involved and “reform,” various “merit pay” schemes such as the the “organizing model” of the Strategic Direction our members are likely to be unaware that it is AP grants, failure to fund higher education contracts, efforts featured the exact same message: listen to the even happening; unaware of the stakes involved; and hideous educator-punishing schemes such membership, inform the membership, empower the and unaware that their state association recom- as Tewksbury contemplated ... all of these attack membership, and mobilize the membership. mended it! educators, make education a less desirable career, and And yet, at crucial times, the membership is too When MTA responds “top down” to initiatives hurt the children and students we care so much about. often left out of the crucial efforts and decisions. that affect us and our profession, we are necessarily Recently we’ve suffered the first successful Too often, membership involvement means sending less effective; and results are too often “it could have assault on collective bargaining in 45 years. a postcard to Beacon Hill; mobilization means been worse” rather than “we achieved our objective.” Those educators who most need a voice, who work asking members to mail that card to their state That occurs when the membership is NOT seen in the most difficult conditions with the most at- representatives. That’s understandable sometimes. as the driving force in MTA; and our political risk students, have lost collective bargaining rights. But when the issue involved is the existence of leaders too often assert that MTA does not reflect its You can look at that loss and say, “Well, it’s a small collective bargaining, especially for our colleagues membership’s views. When others question whether minority of members” or you can say, “An injury to in the most difficult assignments and schools, our we really represent our members, we are weaker than one is an injury to all.” I know where I stand. very future as a profession is in question. Looking we should be. First, our members must be informed. As President, I’ll talk to members every day. I ahead, the issue is our basic right to bargain — over RTTT proved we cannot achieve that in three weeks, will ask every day, on every issue: How can I inform, health insurance, or proposals to change our pension the time MTA accepted between receiving the RTTT and involve and represent the members, and express system, potentially making careers in education even grant proposal and signing or not signing it. their wishes? Only when I know what you want can less attractive. We need to have two-way conversations with I deal effectively with political leaders, and speak Consider the recent RTTT experience. If I ask all of our membership; and the technology is now with the voice of 107,000 educators. It’s time to do 10 members at random from locals across the state, available, and, with improvements, must become the the hard work to make MTA the member-driven, preK to University, to tell me three advantages and primary way we talk to one another. I’m committed motivating, mobilizing force it should be. It’s time to three risks of RTTT, what reaction would I get? to developing this capability, and improving it fulfill the promise of those “organizational renewal” RTTT asks educators to negotiate — separate from constantly. There’s really no reason for the greater efforts. That’s what I offer. That’s my platform. If regular bargaining — about using test scores and membership NOT to express its opinions on these you agree, ask your Annual Meeting delegates to student performance in evaluations, and using those important issues. vote for Paul J. Phillips. April/May 2010 25 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES
Candidate for MTA Vice President: Timothy D. Sullivan, Brockton y name is Timothy D. Sullivan and I am time to use our collective power to its fullest. We running for the office of Vice President of must meet head-on those who seek to diminish our M the Massachusetts Teachers Association. collective voices. Provisions of the education bill I am seeking this office because of my passion and recently passed by the Legislature and signed by commitment for the fundamental values of unionism. Governor Patrick, as well as Race to the Top, seek to I have demonstrated this commitment by serving blame teachers for “underperforming schools” rather on the MTA Executive Committee, MTA Board of than embrace our expertise and move forward in a Directors, Plymouth County Education Association spirit of collaboration. We only need to look in our Board of Directors, and as a local leader in the own backyard in Central Falls, R.I., to see firsthand Brockton Education Association (BEA). the destructive tactics employed as a function of the I believe that my experiences at the local, law. There are those that take the view that these county, state, and national levels have prepared me most recent attacks on our collective bargaining well for the challenges that await me. I’m currently rights impact but a few. However, I believe an injury serving my fourth year as BEA President. I have to one union member is an injury to all. held the following BEA positions: Vice President, We must harness our collective voices by Chair — Professional Rights and Responsibilities, putting our own imprimatur on education reform Negotiations Team, Crisis Co-Chair, Co- and send a message to the political establishment Chair — Ballots and Credentials, and Building that we demand that our collective voices be heard. Representative. My focus as a local leader has After all, it is the practitioner, whether it is an ESP always been on the “member” who is the core reason or classroom teacher, who should be the voice of for our existence as a union. public education. I believe the MTA is at a critical I have served the MTA on the following point where we need to remain true to our core union committees: Advisory Budget Committee, values while remaining open to the possibilities Executive Director Search Committee, Candidate of collaboration that have the potential to change Recommendation Committee, Strategic Action education policy. Committee, Board Negotiating Team, Personnel On a personal note — my wife, Joyce, and I are Selection Committee, Candidate Evaluation Organizationally, I believe it is paramount public school graduates (K-12 and higher ed.) and Team, and the Local Office Support Committee. that we focus on our mission. The MTA mission the proud parents of Timmy Jr., a third-grader in the I am currently the Chair of the Board Negotiating statement in part reads, “The MTA promotes the use Weymouth Public Schools. Team and Co-Chair of the Local Office Support of its members’ collective power to advance their I ask for your consideration and vote. Committee. professional and economic interests.” Now is the Thank you!
Alternative nomination process is available under MTA Bylaws rticle VII, Section 2B(2), of c. Nomination papers must be filed session of the Annual Meeting of session, the chair of the Credentials the MTA Bylaws provides with the Credentials and Ballot Delegates. and Ballot Committee will present a A for an alternative nomination Committee prior to the close of The candidate(s) must then file the supplementary (amended) report of the process for president and vice the first business session. nomination papers with the chair of committee by reading into the record president at the Annual Meeting of d. The committee will certify that the the Credentials and Ballot Committee the names of those who have requested Delegates: nomination papers comply with the through the podium assistant at the nomination papers for president and/or requirements in Sections podium prior to the close of the Annual vice president. a. Nomination papers may be 2B(1)b, 2B(2)b and 2B(2)c of the Meeting of Delegates. The Credentials and Ballot obtained at the Annual Meeting MTA Bylaws. Upon certification, The Credentials and Ballot Committee will ensure that the names from the executive director- the candidate’s name will be placed Committee will process the nomination of all certified candidates for president treasurer. on the ballot for the office sought. papers for certification in accordance and/or vice president will appear b. Nomination papers must be signed A candidate who has not previously with the established procedure and on the ballots. Sufficient space will by 200 of the registered delegates filed papers can obtain nomination will certify the papers if they are in be available on the ballots to allow with the same limitations as papers from the executive director- compliance with the MTA Bylaws. for the names of certified additional described in Section 2B(1)b of the treasurer or his designee at the podium As the last item of business candidates under the supervision of the MTA Bylaws. after the opening of the first business prior to the close of the first business committee.
Guidelines for caucuses, admittance, new business items and reaching delegates aucus Rooms will be available on May 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in than $1,000 by the MTA. New Business Items with budgetary implications will Hynes Rooms 107, 108, 109 and 110 on the first floor. On May 8, be considered in the order in which they are received but before Other New C these rooms will be available from 8 a.m. to the end of the Business Business Items without budgetary implications. Session. Sign-up sheets will be available at each room. Reservations must be made in advance for peak hours, which are Friday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Other New Business Items without budgetary implications may be and Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m. For further information and to reserve a room, submitted during the meeting up to the end of the first hour on Saturday contact Marcessia Gelowtski at 617.878.8320 or [email protected]. morning (by approximately 10 a.m. May 8). These may be considered during the meeting in the order in which they are received. The cooperation of the New Business Items submitted to the president in the MTA/Boston Office delegates in observing these timelines would be appreciated. For information, by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 3, will be distributed to the delegates at registration contact Mary Ann Alfond at 617.878.8213 or [email protected]. and commence to be considered at the Friday session. New Business Items with budgetary implications should be submitted either by the Monday prior to the Messages for delegates who are hotel guests should be left with the Annual Meeting (May 3) or no later than prior to the conclusion of business on Sheraton Boston Hotel at 617.236.2000. The special line for use by families Friday (May 7) at the Annual Meeting so that they may be acted upon prior to to contact delegates during Business Session hours for medical emergencies adoption of the annual budget and the dues for FY 2010-2011, which will occur only is the Hynes Medical Emergency Line: 617.954.2111. The Business Saturday morning. A new business item with budgetary implications is defined Session doors in Hynes Hall B, 1st Floor, will open at 11 a.m. on Friday and as any activity or action that would result in an additional expenditure of more at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Admittance at all times requires a proper badge.
26 April/May 2010 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES Executive Committee seat sparks contest Many candidates declared elected ll candidates for the MTA Board of Directors and many candidates for the Executive Committee A have been declared elected under the association’s election waiver, but the Annual Meeting will feature a two-way contest for the Region H seat on the Executive Committee. That contest is between Max Page of the Massachusetts Society of Professors at UMass Amherst and Diana Max Diana “Donnie” “Donnie” McGee of the Massachusetts Community College Page McGee Council. The election waiver provides that if there is only one candidate for an open position, the election will be waived and the candidate will be declared elected. The candidates declared elected because of the election waiver included in the MTA Bylaws include the following:
Executive Committee Sheila Kathleen Thomas Hanley Lawson Adie Region B — John J. DeCicco, Ashburnham-Westminster. Region D — Christopher Zellner, Bedford. Region E — Sheila Hanley, Randolph.
Board of Directors District 6A — Kathleen Lawson, Longmeadow. District 12F — Thomas Adie, Greater Lowell Regional. Marc Sheryl Ryan District 13F — Marc Lewis, Acton. Lewis Norris Hoyt District 16G — Sheryl Norris, Winchester. District 17G — Ryan Hoyt, Waltham. District 36C — Kimberly Gibson, Brockton. District 41C — Jeffrey S. Morassi, Barnstable. District 39E — Rebecca Cusick, Fall River. District 40E — Christopher Saulnier, Acushnet. District 48H — Donna Johnson, USA. Kimberly Jeffrey Christopher District 49H — Julie Sanabria, PSU-Boston. Gibson Morassi Saulnier Statewide Retired — Richard L. Liston, Retired. Statewide Retired — Kathleen R. Roberts, Retired.
There are no candidates in Districts 24F, 20G and 33C. The new Board and Executive Committee terms begin July 1 and last for three years.
Donna Richard Kathleen Note: Candidates who supplied photos are pictured with Johnson Liston Roberts this article. The biographical statements of candidates who supplied them appear on Page 28.
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April/May 2010 27 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES Candidates’ biographical statements
Executive Committee Region H Executive Committee Region H
Max Page, MSP Diana (Donnie) McGee, MCCC I teach architecture and history at UMass Amherst. I am the former president As vice president of the MCCC, MTA director for Region 44H, and chair of of the Massachusetts Society of Professors (the 1,400-member union of the ORP Ad Hoc Committee, I have established connections with campus edu- faculty and librarians at UMass Amherst), a founder of PHENOM (the Public cators and MTA leadership. I seek the Region H seat on the MTA Executive Higher Education Network of Massachusetts), a member of the MTA Revenue Committee because I care about public higher education and have a solid Committee, and a product of Massachusetts public elementary and secondary understanding of the challenges facing our campuses and unions. I possess a schools. With 107,000 members, the MTA should be the most powerful unique mix of organizing and lobbying experience that is appropriate to these political organization in the state. We can be if we mobilize all of our members challenging times. My leadership experience and commitment to public higher in a statewide campaign to reinvest in our public schools, colleges, and education will enable me to be an effective voice for MTA members on every universities. campus.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISTRICT 17G BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISTRICT 40E
Ryan Hoyt, Waltham Christopher Saulnier, Acushnet During my three years as district director, I’ve offered fresh ideas and I have faithfully served on the MTA Board representing district 40E for perspectives while embracing past practices and policies that serve MTA the past three years. I am also the president of my local and help with well. I believe strongly in the mission of our union and will continue other statewide committees. Please support me in my bid for re-election. to work diligently on your behalf. Representing you again would be an Thank you for your votes. honor. Thank you.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISTRICT 49H BOARD OF DIRECTORS Statewide Retired
Julie Sanabria, PSU Kathleen R. Roberts, Retired I would be honored to be elected MTA district director to continue rep- I am running for re-election to the MTA Board as retired representative. resenting the UMass Amherst and Boston professional staff. This past Past president, MTA, Dartmouth TA, Raynham EA, BCEA. Former di- year I served an interim term, which was a great learning experience. It rector, MTA, NEA. Past member, NEA-R Advisory Council. Recipient, prepared me to be actively involved on the board, especially concerning NEA-R Distinguished Service Award. Currently MTA-R director-retired, public higher education issues. co-chair of MTA Retired Members Committee, BCEA director. Would welcome the opportunity to continue to work for you. Thank you!
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28 April/May 2010 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES Amendments to resolutions are recommended TA Resolutions are the association’s All resolutions submitted are considered by In instances where the proposal is to amend statements of principle on issues relating the committee, and those submitted by the January an existing resolution, the current version is M to members, public education, the deadline are also brought before the Board of shown first and the proposed modifications are welfare of students and human and civil rights. Directors. shown below it. A section that has a line through Resolutions may be submitted by any member To become an official position of the MTA, a it is proposed for elimination; a section that is to the Resolutions Committee by the second resolution must be adopted by the delegates at the underlined is a proposed addition. Friday in January. They also may be submitted Annual Meeting. by the end of business on Friday at the Annual The resolutions printed here have been ap- For a copy of all current resolutions, go to the Meeting of Delegates. In addition, the committee proved by the Resolutions Committee and recom- MTA Web site, www.massteacher.org, and search may propose resolutions. mended for adoption by the Board of Directors. for “Resolutions.”
Current Resolution A-12 serve all students, including special needs multiple assessment tools and sources of data, include A-12 Charter Schools children, English language learners, low- periodic evaluations of school quality by external income students and those at risk of dropping out evaluators, provide professional development for all The Massachusetts Teachers Association supports of school. education employees to promote the achievement of innovation within public education, including the (c) Every charter school should be required school improvement goals, and provide for the timely establishment of alternative public schools programs, to offer a demonstrably innovative educational dissemination of assessment data to all stakeholders. magnet schools and Horace Mann Charter Schools. experience that is different from what is The MTA also believes that, in institutions of However, the MTA believes that Commonwealth available in district public schools. higher education, faculty and staff should be an integral Charter Schools negatively impact the regular public (d) Charter schools with high student attrition part of governance procedures and decision-making education program. The MTA further believes that rates should be closed. processes. (01, 10) all charter schools should be bound by all laws and (e) Charter schools should be prohibited from regulations that pertain to regular public schools. employing “pushout” strategies to retain Current Resolution D-10 The MTA believes that charter schools must not students who test well while sending others D-10 Accountability and Evaluation divert funds at either the local or state levels from the back to district public schools. (10) of Personnel regular public school programs. MTA further believes that charter schools must contain procedures for regular Current Resolution A-19 The Massachusetts Teachers Association accepts periodic assessment and evaluation both fiscal and A-19 School Accountability the concept of educator accountability for provision and academic. (97, 00) and Improvement maintenance of high quality education when and where educators have a significant role in the formulation of Proposed New Resolution A-12 The Massachusetts Teachers Association supports goals, policies, and procedures. A-12 Innovation in Public Education effective and fair school accountability systems. The The Massachusetts Teachers Association believes MTA believes that these systems must promote high that the primary goal of evaluation should be the The Massachusetts Teachers Association supports levels of student achievement and ensure that the best improvement of instruction and the professional growth innovation within public education, including the teaching practices are supported and utilized. of educational personnel, and that evaluations should establishment of alternative public schools programs, The MTA also believes that the focus of the not be used as a punitive measure. magnet schools and Horace Mann Charter Schools. accountability system must be on the school as the unit The MTA believes that the establishment of However, the MTA believes that Commonwealth of evaluation and improvement of student learning. performance criteria and designs for assessment must Charter Schools negatively impact the regular public Development and implementation of the accountability insure that objectives are attainable and that assessment education program. The MTA further believes that system must ensure that the stakeholders at the school takes into account all community and environmental all charter schools should be bound by all laws and district and state levels share the responsibility for factors which affect the learning process including regulations that pertain to regular public schools. establishing clear goals, adopting high standards for adequate funding. (73, 85, 90) The MTA believes that charter schools must not student achievement, and providing the necessary divert funds at either the local or state levels from the resource and support systems. Proposed New Resolution D-10 regular public school programs. MTA further believes MTA further believes that such a system use D-10 Accountability and Evaluation that charter schools must contain procedures for regular multiple assessment tools and sources of data, include of Personnel periodic assessment and evaluation both fiscal and periodic evaluations of school quality by external academic. (97, 00, 10) evaluators, provide professional development for all The Massachusetts Teachers Association accepts education employees to promote the achievement of the concept of educator accountability for the provision Proposed New Resolution A-13 school improvement goals, and provide for the timely and maintainance of high quality education when and Renumber Remainder of Section A dissemination of assessment data to all stakeholders. (01) and where educators have a significant role in the A-13 Commonwealth Charter Schools formulation of goals, policies and procedures. Proposed New Resolution A-19 The MTA supports the requirement that local MTA believes that Commonwealth charter schools A-19 School Accountability associations bargain educator evaluation instruments have produced highly uneven results and are by no and Improvement and their use for the improvement of instruction, means a panacea. In light of the impact that charter professional growth and education personnel schools have on district public schools, the MTA The Massachusetts Teachers Association supports accountability. The Massachusetts Teachers Association believes that local school committees should have effective and fair school accountability systems. The believes that the primary goal of evaluation should be the authority to grant or deny charter applications MTA believes that these systems must promote high improvement of instruction. and renewals following a process that is open to the levels of student achievement and ensure that the best The MTA believes that the establishment of public and provides for input from all stakeholders. teaching practices are supported and utilized. performance criteria within evaluation must ensure In addition, charter schools should have the same The MTA also believes that the focus of the that objectives are attainable and that evaluation takes degree of transparency as any other taxpayer-funded accountability system must be on the school as the unit into account all community and environmental factors schools, including public access to curricula, teaching of evaluation and improvement of student learning. which affect the learning process, including adequate methods, enrollment practices, governance practices Development and implementation of the accountability funding. and finances. system must ensure that the stakeholders at the school The MTA further believes that state education The following tenets should guide current policies district and state levels share the responsibility for associations must be integral to the establishment or any expansion of Commonwealth charter schools. establishing clear goals, adopting high standards for of any performance criteria promulgated by the (a) The funding system should not inequitably student achievement, and providing the necessary Commonwealth. (73, 85, 90, 10) divert resources from district public schools. resource and support systems. (b) Charter schools should be required to fairly MTA further believes that such a system should use Please turn to Amendments/Page 30 April/May 2010 29 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES Amendments to resolutions are recommended
Continued from Page 29 submitted as presented by the school committee to the Resolutions Committee members city council or town meeting members for approval or Proposed New F-3 increase, and appropriation. (76, 77, 82, 84, 94) and Renumber Remainder of Section F Diana Marcus, Chair F-3 Teacher Compensation Teresa Barut Proposed New Resolution Kathleen Comer (Renumbered as F-4) The Massachusetts Teachers Association believes Susan Karb F-4 Collective Bargaining and Ted Kempinski that teacher salary schedules should provide for entry- Fiscal Responsibility Tiffany Magnolia level salaries and career earnings comparable to those Sandra Moriarty of other professions and occupations with similar Dorothy Scally The Massachusetts Teachers Association reaffirms preparation and responsibilities and be structured to Laura Barrett, Staff Consultant its continuous support of the collective-bargaining provide compensation levels necessary to attract and Janice Morrissey, Staff Assistant process establishing wages, hours, and conditions retain highly qualified teachers. of employment and strongly condemns those school The MTA further believes that placement on committees and boards of trustees which are consciously the salary schedule should be based on preparation, Current Resolution F-3 undermining the concepts of collective bargaining by academic degrees, experience, professional growth, F-3 Collective Bargaining failing to live up to the letter and spirit of the Laws responsibilities and length of service. and Fiscal Responsibility of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts dealing with The MTA supports adequately funded initiatives good faith bargaining. to provide additional pay to: The Massachusetts Teachers Association reaffirms The MTA opposes the use by school committees (a) experienced, qualified teachers who agree to its continuous support of the collective-bargaining or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of fiscal work in hard-to-staff schools; and, process establishing wages, hours, and conditions limitations as a reason not to bargain concerning wages (b) experienced, qualified teachers who take on of employment and strongly condemns those school or other economic issues or as an affirmative defense additional instructional leadership or committees and boards of trustees which are consciously when charged with an Unfair Labor Practice because educational management roles. undermining the concepts of collective bargaining by of such refusal to bargain. The MTA opposes paying teachers at different failing to live up to the letter and spirit of the Laws The MTA condemns any attempt by the state rates based on: of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts dealing with Legislature to decrease the scope of or to eliminate the (a) the subjects they teach; or, good faith bargaining. collective-bargaining process for all public employees. (b) student test scores. The MTA condemns any attempt by the state The MTA strenuously supports legislation which The MTA believes that such differential pay Legislature to decrease the scope of or to eliminate the provides that all school committee budgets shall be for individual teachers can never be implemented collective-bargaining process for all public employees. submitted as presented by the school committee to the equitably, undermines teamwork in a school and is The MTA strenuously supports legislation which city council or town meeting members for approval or ineffective at improving student achievement. (10) provides that all school committee budgets shall be increase, and appropriation. (76, 77, 82, 84, 94, 10)
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MTA STANDING RULES
PRESENT TEXT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS PRESENT TEXT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS Bold and Italic Portions Only Bold and Italic Portions Only
1. Proposal to Change the Speaking Time 2. Proposal to Eliminate the Filing of Campaign for Debate at Meetings of Delegates Expenditures by Annual Meeting Candidates
RULE #6 RULE #6 RULE #9 RULE #9 Order of Business and Debate Order of Business and Debate Nominations and Elections Nominations and Elections
Section 6. No member shall speak in debate more Section 6. No member shall speak in debate more Section 3. Campaign Expenditures Section 3. DELETE than twice to the same question during than twice to the same question during the same meeting, nor longer than five (5) the same meeting, nor longer than three (3) (a) All candidates shall be required to file (a) DELETE minutes at one time, unless permission is minutes at one time, unless permission is with the Credentials and Ballot Committee granted by majority vote of the meeting(s). granted by majority vote of the meeting(s). a complete account of campaign expenditures within twenty-one days SUBMITTED BY: after the Annual Meeting on a form Mary Gilmore, MTA Retired provided by the Association. Gerry Ruane, Malden Education Association (b) The Credentials and Ballot Committee shall (b) DELETE MTA BYLAWS AND RULES COMMITTEE: certify the receipt of these reports. Recommends Adoption (9-0) SUBMITTED BY: MTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Maurice Bracken, Chair, on behalf Recommends Adoption (48-6) of the Credentials and Ballot Committee.
IMPACT STATEMENT: MTA BYLAWS AND RULES COMMITTEE: This amendment would reduce each of the two Recommends Adoption (9-0) opportunities to speak to the same question from a maximum of five minutes to a maximum of three MTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: minutes. Recommends Adoption (45-7) IMPACT STATEMENT: This amendment would eliminate the requirement in the Standing Rules that Annual Meeting candidates file with the Credentials and Ballot Committee an account of their campaign expenditures.
30 April/May 2010 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MTA BYLAWS
PRESENT TEXT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS PRESENT TEXT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS Bold and Italic Portions Only Bold and Italic Portions Only
1. Proposal to Permit Charter School Employees 2. Proposal to Provide an Option in Dues Payment to Join MTA as Active Members Schedules for Units with Continuous Hiring
ARTICLE III ARTICLE III ARTICLE IV ARTICLE IV Membership Membership Finance Finance
Section 2. Individual Membership — Active Section 2. Individual Membership — Active Section 2. Dues Section 2. Dues
Full-time dues and part-time dues percentages are based A. Eligibility A. Eligibility Full-time dues and part-time dues percentages are based upon membership category. upon membership category. Active membership is available to: Active membership is available to: A. Active Members A. Active Members (1) Persons who are: (1) Persons who are: (8) Dues Reduction Based on Employment Date (8) Dues Reduction Based on Employment Date a. employed in work of a professional nature a. employed in work of a professional nature a. The annual dues of an active member who in the field of education, including employ- in the field of education, including employ- a. The annual dues of an active member who presents evidence of employment that starts ment in public schools, in institutions of ment in public schools, in public charter presents evidence of employment that starts after November 14, February 1 or April 14 of a public higher education, and by public and schools, in institutions of public higher after November 14, February 1 or April 14 of a school year in a given school system shall be, private employers providing early childhood education, and by public and private school year in a given school system shall be, respectively, 75%, 50% or 25% of the member’s education. employers providing early childhood respectively, 75%, 50% or 25% of the member’s education. annual dues for that school year. This section annual dues for that school year. This section does not apply to part-time active members does not apply to part-time active members employed by the University of Massachusetts • who, as new applicants for membership NO CHANGE employed by the University of Massachusetts Trustees or Board of Higher Education. after August 31, 1965, hold a bacca- Trustees or Board of Higher Education. laureate degree or higher; and who hold b. NO PRESENT TEXT a certificate, or are eligible to hold b. Units that have continuous and ongoing same, from a proper certifying authority hiring and payroll deduction would have the where such is required, or option of enrolling members as of their first pay period, on a 26-week pro-rata schedule, at • who are appropriately licensed, or NO CHANGE the then-current per-pay-period rate. If this option is selected, the members in these units • who are qualified and approved as NO CHANGE would not be subject to Article IV 2A(8)a. teachers by the Division of Occu- pational Education in the Department of SUBMITTED BY: Tom Goodkind, PSU UMass Boston Education, or JoAnne Martone, PSU UMass Amherst • who are school nurses. NO CHANGE Kathy Rhines, PSU UMass Amherst
b. education support employees employed b. education support employees employed MTA BYLAWS AND RULES COMMITTEE: in public schools, in institutions of public in public schools, in public charter schools, Recommends Referral to the MTA Executive higher education, and by public and in institutions of public higher education, Committee (8-0) private employers providing early childhood and by public and private employers education. providing early childhood education. MTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Recommends Referral to the MTA Executive Section 3. Individual Membership Section 3. Individual Membership Committee (52-0) — Additional Categories — Additional Categories IMPACT STATEMENT: A. Categories A. Categories This amendment would give locals the right to override the dues payment obligations described in Article IV, (1) Associate members are those persons (1) NO CHANGE section 2A(8)a, that relate to individual members who interested in the advancement of the are hired during an academic year and instead give the cause of education who are not eligible for locals the right to require enrollment of such members active membership. as of their first pay period on a 26-week schedule.
Individual employees of charter schools Individual employees of charter schools and private schools other than employees of and private schools other than employees of private employers providing early private employers providing early childhood education shall be eligible only childhood education shall be eligible only for associate membership unless otherwise for associate membership unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. determined by the Board of Directors.
DELETE: charter schools and Five candidates seek seats Application for said membership shall be NO CHANGE made to the Executive Committee in on Retired Members Committee writing. SUBMITTED BY: Maureen Carlos, Educational Association of Worcester Four vacancies — two-year terms commencing July 1, 2010 Kerry Costello, Andover Education Association Numbers reflect ballot lottery order Mary Gilmore, MTA Retired Lois Jacobs, Methuen Education Association Kathleen Lawson, Longmeadow Education Association Tim MacKenzie, Hull Teachers Association Paul Phillips, Quincy Education Association 1. Nancy Mickunas
MTA BYLAWS AND RULES COMMITTEE: Recommends Adoption (9-0) 2. Nancy L. Green
MTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Recommends Adoption (51-2) 3. Gladys W. Durant IMPACT STATEMENT: This amendment would eliminate the limitation on the membership status of Commonwealth charter school employees to associate membership only, but instead 4. Paul McLaughlin extend individual active membership to educators and education support professionals who are employed at Commonwealth charter schools. 5. Stephen E. Gorrie
April/May 2010 31 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MTA BYLAWS
PRESENT TEXT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS PRESENT TEXT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS Bold and Italic Portions Only Bold and Italic Portions Only
3. Proposal to Add an At-Large ESP Seat on the Executive Committee 3. Proposal to Add an At-Large ESP Seat on the Executive Committee
ARTICLES VI, VII, IX ARTICLES VI, VII, IX ARTICLES VI, VII, IX ARTICLES VI, VII, IX
ARTICLE VI Governance: ARTICLE VI Governance: ARTICLE VII (3) Nomination papers must be filed with the Executive Committee and Board of Directors Executive Committee and Board of Directors Nominations, Elections and Terms of Office Executive Director-Treasurer and received prior to 5 p.m. on the first Friday of Section 1. Executive Committee Section 1. Executive Committee NO PRESENT TEXT March. A. Composition A. Composition (Continued from previous column) (4) The Credentials and Ballot Committee (1) The Executive Committee shall consist (1) The Executive Committee shall consist will certify the nomination papers if they of the President, the Vice President, the of the President, the Vice President, the are in order. Once they are certified, the Executive Director-Treasurer, eight (8) Executive Director-Treasurer, eight (8) candidate’s name shall be placed on the Regional Executive Committee members Regional Executive Committee members, ballot for the office sought. and one (1) Statewide Retired Region one (1) Statewide Retired Region Exec- Executive Committee member. utive Committee member, and one (1) At- C. Election Large ESP Executive Committee member. (1) The only candidates shall be those Section 2. Board of Directors Section 2. Board of Directors nominated in accordance with the Section A. Composition A. Composition B Nomination Process above.
(1) The Board of Directors, hereinafter called (1) The Board of Directors, hereinafter called (2) The At-Large ESP Executive Committee the Board, shall consist of the President, the Board, shall consist of the President, member shall be elected at the Annual Vice President, Executive Director-Treasurer, Vice President, Executive Director-Treasurer, Meeting of Delegates by all delegates. district directors, one At-Large Director for district directors, one At-Large Director for Education Support Professionals, one At- Education Support Professionals, one At- (3) If there is only one (1) candidate for an large Director for Ethnic-Minority Member- large Director for Ethnic-Minority Member- open position, the election shall be waived, ship, Statewide Retired District Director(s), ship, Statewide Retired District Director(s), and the candidate declared elected. Regional Executive Committee members, (Regional) Executive Committee members, and the National Education Association and the National Education Association D. Terms of Office (Effective July 1, 2010) Director(s) and non-voting members consist- Director(s) and non-voting members consist- ing of any NEA Student Director(s) attend- ing of any NEA Student Director(s) attend- (1) The term of office for At-Large ESP ing school in Massachusetts and any NEA ing school in Massachusetts and any NEA Executive Committee member shall be for Executive Officers, NEA Executive Executive Officers, NEA Executive three years or until a successor has been Committee Member, NEA Retired Director, Committee Member, NEA Retired Director, chosen. and any At-large NEA Director who is also and any At-large NEA Director who is also a member of the Association. a member of the Association. (2) If a member has filled an At-Large DELETE: REGIONAL Executive Committee unexpired term, he/she shall be eligible for election to two full terms, provided, however, that the ARTICLE VII ARTICLE VII consecutive years served do not exceed Nominations, Elections and Terms of Office Nominations, Elections and Terms of Office nine. (3) The term of office shall commence on Section 3. Regional and Statewide Section 3. Regional, Statewide Retired, and July 1. Retired Executive Committee Members At-large Executive Committee Members E. Vacancies A. Eligibility A. Eligibility (1) The position of At-Large ESP Executive NO PRESENT TEXT ADD NEW A(4) Committee member shall be declared vacant in the event: (4) Any active member who is an education * A member is absent for two consecutive support employee is eligible to be a Executive Committee or Board meetings candidate for At-Large ESP Executive without prior notice to the President, or Committee member. * A member dies or resigns, or * A member is elected to become an officer, D. Election D. Election or NEA Director, or * A member loses eligibility to serve as NO PRESENT TEXT INSERT NEW SUBSECTION D(4) At-Large ESP Executive Committee (4) One At-Large ESP Executive Committee member due to a change in employment member will be elected at the Annual status, including a leave of absence Meeting of Delegates by all delegates. requested to serve in a position outside (Renumber present text (4) to (5)) any MTA bargaining unit if said leave exceeds 90 calendar days, or ARTICLE VII ARTICLE VII * No member files papers to be a candidate Nominations, Elections and Terms of Office Nominations, Elections and Terms of Office or all candidates withdraw prior to the election, or NO PRESENT TEXT ADD NEW LANGUAGE TO ARTICLE VII AND * The annual election for this office does RENUMBER THE REMAINDER OF THE not take place. ARTICLE AS APPROPRIATE. (2) Eligible members shall be notified of the Article VII At-Large ESP Executive Committee vacancy and the election process. member (3) The vacancy shall be filled by a mail A. Eligibility balloting to the appropriate registered Any active member who is an education support delegates to the previous Annual Meeting, employee is eligible to be a candidate for provided such delegates continue to qualify At-Large ESP Executive Committee member. for delegate status.
B. Nomination Process (4) If there is only (1) candidate for the (1) Nomination papers may be obtained: position, the election shall be waived, and * In person or in writing. the candidate declared elected. * From the Executive Director-Treasurer. * Any time after July 1. (5) The At-Large ESP Executive Committee Requests must specify the office sought. member thus elected shall take office The Executive Director-Treasurer shall immediately upon election unless otherwise forthwith provide nomination papers, stat- specified and shall complete the unexpired ing the candidates name and office sought. term.
(2) Nomination papers must be signed by 200 (6) All provisions of Paragraph E shall apply active Association members: to the At-Large ESP Executive Committee * No more than 50 of those signatures may member. be obtained from one local affiliate. * No more than 100 of those signatures (Continued on next page) may be obtained from any one electoral district.
32 April/May 2010 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MTA BYLAWS
PRESENT TEXT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS PRESENT TEXT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS Bold and Italic Portions Only Bold and Italic Portions Only
3. Proposal to Add an At-Large ESP Seat on the Executive Committee 5. Proposal to Provide for the Eligibility of Executive Committee Members to Run for Additional Terms ARTICLES VI, VII, IX ARTICLES VI, VII, IX ARTICLE VII ARTICLE VII (Continued from previous page) Nominations, Elections Nominations, Elections & Terms of Office & Terms of Office ARTICLE IX Delegate Meetings ARTICLE IX Delegate Meetings Section 3. Regional and Statewide Retired Section 3. Regional and Statewide Retired Section 2. Delegates Section 2. Delegates Executive Committee Members Executive Committee Members
G. Duties G. Duties E. Term of Office (Effective July 1, 2010) E. Term of Office (Effective July 1, 2010)
The delegates to the Annual Meeting shall in accor- NO CHANGE (1) The term of office shall be for three years or (1) NO CHANGE dance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws: until their successors have been chosen.
(3) Elect the President, Vice President, Regional (3) Elect the President, Vice President, Regional (2) Members shall be eligible for not more (2) NO CHANGE Executive Committee members, Board of Executive Committee members,the At- than two consecutive terms provided that Directors, the At-Large Director for Ethnic- Large ESP Executive Committee member, an Executive Committee member who has Minority Membership, the At-Large the Board of Directors, the At-Large Director been elected to one two-year term under the Director for Education Support for Ethnic-Minority Membership, the previous bylaw shall nonetheless be eligible Professionals, the Statewide Retired District At-Large Director for Education Support to serve two more three-year terms. Anyone Director(s), and the members of the Professionals, the Statewide Retired District elected to two two-year terms under the Candidate Recommendation Committee as Director(s), and the members of the previous bylaw shall be eligible to serve an is provided in these Bylaws. Candidate Recommendation Committee as additional three-year term. is provided in these Bylaws. (3) If a member has filled an unexpired term, (3) NO CHANGE (4) Fill interim vacancies that have occurred (4) Fill interim vacancies that have occurred he/she shall be eligible for election to two in the positions of Vice President, Regional in the positions of Vice President, full terms, provided, however, that the con- Executive Committee members, Board of (Regional) Executive Committee members, secutive years served do not exceed nine. Directors, in accordance with Article VII, Board of Directors, in accordance with Sections 2F, 3E and 4E. Article VII, Sections 2F, 3E and 4E. (4) The term of office shall commence on July 1. (4) NO CHANGE DELETE: REGIONAL Amend by addition: SUBMITTED BY: MTA ESP Committee: (5) After one year out of office, a member may Donna Johnson, Chair, USA again become a candidate for an Executive Mildred Ficarra, Weymouth TA Committee seat for which the member is Kathleen Meltsakos, Pentucket A of T eligible. Mary Peterson, Greenfield EA Beverly Saccocia, Bridgewater-Raynham EA SUBMITTED BY: Sylvia Snape, USA Kerry Costello, Andover Education Association Robert V. Travers, Jr., Cambridge TA MTA BYLAWS AND RULES COMMITTEE: Russel Brandwein, Saugus EA Recommends Adoption with a substitute amendment: Maureen Carlos, EAW After one year out of office, an Executive Committee Kerry Costello, Andover EA member who has retired may become a candidate for Stephen Olbrys Gencarella, UMass Amherst the Statewide Retired Region Executive Committee Mary Gilmore, MTA Retired seat (9-0). Stephen Gorrie, MTA Retired Paul Phillips, Quincy EA MTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Recommends Adoption with a substitute amendment: MTA BYLAWS AND RULES COMMITTEE: After one year out of office, an Executive Committee Recommends Rejection (6-3) member who has retired may become a candidate for the Statewide Retired Region Executive Committee MTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: seat (40-3). Recommends Adoption (44-11) IMPACT STATEMENT: IMPACT STATEMENT: This original amendment would provide an exception This amendment would increase the number of to the term limitation requirement in Section 3E by Executive Committee members by one to include an permitting an Executive Committee member to run for At-Large ESP Executive Committee seat. an Executive Committee seat for which the member is eligible after one year out of office.
4. Proposal to Eliminate the Filing of Campaign The substitute amendment would permit an Executive Expenditures by Candidates Committee member who has retired to run only for the Statewide Retired Region Executive Committee seat after one year out of office. ARTICLE VII ARTICLE VII Nominations, Elections Nominations, Elections & Terms of Office & Terms of Office
Section 1. General Stipulations Section 1. General Stipulations
E. Elected candidates shall not be seated until they E. DELETE have filed a report with the Credentials and Ballot Committee giving a complete account of campaign expenditures. The Credentials and Ballot Com- mittee shall certify the receipt of these reports.
SUBMITTED BY: Maurice Bracken, Chair, on behalf of the Credentials and Ballot Committee.
MTA BYLAWS AND RULES COMMITTEE: Recommends Adoption (9-0)
MTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Recommends Adoption (43-3)
IMPACT STATEMENT: This amendment would eliminate in the Bylaws the requirement that candidates for MTA office file with the Credentials and Ballot Committee an account of their campaign expenditures.
April/May 2010 33 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MTA BYLAWS
PRESENT TEXT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS PRESENT TEXT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS Bold and Italic Portions Only Bold and Italic Portions Only
6. Proposal to Eliminate the Nomination Papers 6. Proposal to Eliminate the Nomination Papers Requirement for District Directors Requirement for District Directors
ARTICLE VII ARTICLE VII ARTICLE VII ARTICLE VII Nominations, Elections Nominations, Elections Nominations, Elections Nominations, Elections & Terms of Office & Terms of Office & Terms of Office & Terms of Office
Section 4. Board of Directors Section 4. Board of Directors (Continued from previous column)
B. Nomination Papers B. DELETE ALL OF B AND SUBSTITUTE: (3) Nomination papers must be filed with the (3) The Credentials and Ballot Committee will Executive Director-Treasurer and received certify the self-nominating letter if it is in (1) Nomination papers may be obtained: B. Nomination Process prior to 5 p.m. on the first Friday of order. Once certified, the candidate’s name March. shall be placed on the ballot for the office • In person or in writing. (1) Candidates may self-nominate after July 1. sought. • From the Executive Director-Treasurer. (4) The Credentials and Ballot Committee will • Any time after July 1. certify the nomination papers if they are in order. Once they are certified, the Requests must specify the office sought. The candidate’s name shall be placed on the Executive Director-Treasurer shall forthwith ballot for the office sought. provide the nomination papers, stating the candidate’s name and the office sought. SUBMITTED BY: Gerry Ruane, Malden Education Association (2) Nomination papers must be signed by (2) A self-nominating letter must be filed with at least 50 active Association members from the Executive Director-Treasurer prior MTA BYLAWS AND RULES COMMITTEE: the candidate’s district. to 5 p.m. on the first Friday of March. Recommends Adoption (7-2) The office sought must be specified. MTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Recommends Rejection (36-17)
IMPACT STATEMENT: This amendment would eliminate the requirement to collect signatures and file nomination papers in order to run for a district director seat on the Board of Directors, and instead permit candidates to submit a self- nomination letter to the Executive Director-Treasurer.
Human & Civil Rights Awards Dinner Reservation Form Human & Civil Rights Name:______Local Association:______Membership ID#______Awards Banquet Address:______Since 1983, MTA’s Human Relations Committee has reviewed and selected nominees City:______State:______ZIP:______for the Annual Human & Civil Rights Awards. The Human & Civil Rights Awards Work Phone:______Home Phone:______Banquet, attended by educators throughout the state, honors MTA members and others who have put their lives, employment or professional careers on the line in defense of human and civil rights. Honoring those who dedicate themselves to Tickets X $50 = Total Due: $ equality for all has become a proud organizational tradition for MTA. E-mail Address for Confirmation:______2010 MTA Human and Civil Rights By check – Make check payable to: Massachusetts Teachers Association; mail to: MTA Meetings, 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108.
Awards Recipients By Credit Card: Fill out credit card information below. Louise Gaskins Lifetime Civil Rights Award Please check: q MasterCard q Visa Anne Wass Name on card: ______Billing Address for card: ______Kathleen Roberts Creative Leadership Award City: ______State:______ZIP: ______Mary Gilmore Expiration date:______Phone listing for card: ______Online Registration: www.massteacher.org/am2010 You can also use the form at right. Deadline for event Registration is Sunday, May 2. Telephone reservations will NOT be accepted. Thursday, May 6 6:30 p.m. – Cocktail Reception Sheraton Boston Hotel and Towers 7:30 p.m. – Dinner Republic Ballroom, 2nd Floor 8:30 p.m. – Awards
$50 per person. Evening attire is suggested. 1234
34 April/May 2010 2010 MTA ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES Annual Report of the Executive Director-Treasurer Responding to unprecedented challenges n the past year we have confronted many issues with third, consigning the Commonwealth to a downward spiral is to promote the highest quality education for all of the broad implications for MTA and our local associations, of budget and program cuts. The conservative anti-taxers children and students in the Commonwealth through the I while also taking on important new initiatives that have succeeded in dominating the public debate and setting advancement of professional standards, compensation and hold great promise for our union and our members. the public agenda for years, making tax cuts popular a voice in educational policy and practice. We have faced, and continue to face, challenges at the even at the risk of jeopardizing important programs and On the administrative side of MTA operations, the bargaining table that are unprecedented in their number infrastructure. building project and the sale of portions of the MTAB and scope. We have engaged in legislative battles — on Of course, asking the voters if they want a tax cut is insurance business have dominated our work. The building both Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill — in which our most like asking a child if she wants a Popsicle. We all want project has run squarely into the harsh reality of the fundamental rights sometimes were at stake. Legal issues, tax cuts, but we need to lead a public debate about what collapse of the commercial real estate market in Boston. policy issues, even administrative issues such as the sale of kind of revenue structure it will take to provide funding Our headquarters is over 40 years old, and many systems a portion of the MTAB insurance business and what to do for public education and the other important services that are showing their age. The collapse of the market has, about our aging Boston headquarters building; everywhere we expect and deserve as citizens of Massachusetts. Even however, reduced our equity in the building and made we turn there are challenges large and small, and all at some of our own union members, facing tight finances in various options — selling and moving, rehabilitating the once. an economic downturn, respond favorably to the anti-tax entire building, redeveloping the site — impractical in the We are all tested, individually and in our organizations, rhetoric, ignoring their own self-interest in an adequately immediate future. The MTA Building Task Force therefore at times of greatest challenge. We can be proud of how funded public education system. Simply put, taxes are the voted to shelve the building project until market conditions our union and our local affiliates are responding to these price of civilization and, as the old saying goes, “You get improve, and the MTA Board approved that step. unprecedented challenges, even as we recognize there what you pay for.” We continue to monitor developments in the market and is much more to Just as the current situation was years in the making, will make a recommendation to revisit the building project be done. While we our effort to build support for a tax system that will at the earliest opportunity once the market recovers. In the have not escaped ensure long-term revenues will take time. But we must meantime, we will be prudent in addressing immediate unscathed, we have begin immediately. In keeping with the overall goals of needs at our existing building, particularly with an eye accomplished a great our Strategic Action Initiative, we have already laid the toward preventive maintenance and keeping major systems deal, protecting our groundwork for a revenue campaign, and in the year ahead from failing at greater cost to the organization. members’ jobs and we will roll out a member education program and a public The other big administrative project that has consumed contracts against the campaign in support of increased revenue. a lot of time and effort in the past year is the sale of the worst ravages of what Our program and policy efforts, meanwhile, have been property and casualty insurance business. Changes in some are calling the focused intently on the federal Race to the Top program the state’s insurance laws have had a negative impact “Great Recession.” and the new state ed reform law, which are being rolled in that area, and after extensive study the MTAB Board When the economy out simultaneously, with significant impact on many of our determined that the best way to protect the members’ collapsed into members and local associations. Following MTA’s initial investment was to sell the business. We marketed the severe recession, effort to disseminate information, we shifted to providing business, received numerous bids and have entered into a we anticipated that support to our local associations — both those participating letter of intent with a buyer. government revenue and those not participating — in dealing with the rollout I am pleased to be able to report that we also have shortfalls would and consequences of these new programs. Despite all of reached a tentative agreement with MTASO on a package put thousands of David A. Borer the effort that went into the state’s application, at the end to address the impact on bargaining unit staff in connection our members’ jobs Executive Director-Treasurer of March, the U.S. Department of Education and the White with the sale. I believe the terms we have reached with at risk. Working House announced that only Delaware and Tennessee had MTASO are within appropriate parameters, given the closely with the NEA, won the first round of RTTT grants. nature of the underlying transaction. MTA members lobbied our congressional delegation to Staff involved directly in these issues have developed The buyer has agreed to our request to hire as many support the stimulus bill later referred to as the American and presented webinars and in-person education sessions employees as possible, and our agreement with MTASO Recovery and Reinvestment Act and to be sure that funds for field representatives and local leaders. We also have provides additional incentives to MTAB employees who were included for education jobs. Governor Deval Patrick held, and will continue to hold, meetings with the local accept positions. There are also incentives for those who led a small group of progressive governors in personally leaders who have schools that have been identified as decide to retire or resign in lieu of exercising their bumping lobbying Congress and the White House for the inclusion chronically underperforming to assist them in responding rights. These provisions are designed to further our goal of of funds for education. Our efforts paid off, surviving an to the changes they face under the new law. cushioning the impact of this transaction on our employees attempt by Republicans to strip education funds from the MTA will directly engage in helping our local and to limit the disruption of MTA’s other operations that bill and resulting in $117 billion for education nationally, associations take an affirmative role in improving the would occur in the event of widespread bumping. of which nearly $2 billion was directed to Massachusetts. schools that have been identified as most in need. Our intent is to complete the transaction before the end Those funds have saved or created more than 6,000 of the current fiscal year. We are also working closely with education jobs in the Commonwealth, cushioning the he other big new initiative launched this year is our the buyer to ensure that the transaction will be seamless impact of the recession on our members. early childhood education organizing campaign. for MTA members who have insurance policies through Still, more needs to be done. The economy has been T The MTA, along with AFT Massachusetts, the MTAB, and we will work hard to make that transition as slow to recover and is not yet generating enough tax NEA and the American Federation of Teachers, will smooth as possible. The insurance products will continue revenue to avoid enormous budget deficits. The MTA work together, in a joint organizing project, to assist to be available to our members at good prices going and the NEA are lobbying for a jobs bill in Congress that Massachusetts early childhood educators in organizing. forward, and the remainder of the MTAB operation will would provide additional federal money to create and This plan is designed to create a single statewide continue to offer the discount directory, life and disability preserve jobs. We are also pushing hard on Beacon Hill to bargaining unit of sufficient size and power to win insurance and other member benefits. maintain the state’s commitment to, and investment in, the meaningful increases in pay, benefits and professional In closing, I want to express my profound gratitude to best public education system in the country. development opportunities that, if achieved, will provide President Anne Wass and Vice President Paul Toner for Revenue is tight, and budget shortfalls lie at the heart Massachusetts families with high quality early learning their wisdom, leadership and dedication. We are working of many of the problems facing our members and public programs for children from infancy through school age. side by side every day to build this great union and to education in general. The crisis in state revenues is Working with early childhood educators across the further the cause of public education. I also want to wish threatening our public education system. Programs are Commonwealth, we intend to create a jointly affiliated Anne the best for the years ahead and to pay tribute to being slashed, class sizes are increasing and resources local made up of the early childhood educators who work the wonderful guidance she has provided in charting are being reduced or eliminated. That’s why MTA’s State in the nearly 2,000 child care centers in the state. They our course during this time of great challenge and great Revenue Enhancement Committee is focused on launching include some 15,000 to 20,000 teachers, directors, aides opportunity. a campaign that will change the debate about taxes and and workers in other job classifications. Finally, I want to acknowledge the incredible hard work revenues in the Commonwealth. In organizing the early childhood education work and dedication of our staff. In these difficult times, we rely The state did not find itself in this revenue predicament force, we will be connecting the educators working with on them to see us through. Their energy, creativity and overnight, or totally as the result of external economic children in their earliest years to educators in MTA and dedication have been an inspiration to me. forces. The revenue crisis we now face is due in part to AFT Massachusetts. Many of our preK-12 members the sharp global recession, but also is due to short-sighted know through hard experience that students often arrive A longer version of the Annual Report of the Executive tax and revenue decisions made by the state’s citizens and in the school system already at a disadvantage, already Director-Treasurer, including sections on the work of each legislators. We are no longer “Taxachusetts,” with one demonstrating an achievement gap, in part as a result of MTA division and department, is included in the 2010 of the highest overall tax burdens in the country. Rather, the inadequacies of the early childhood education system. Delegate Handbook. The full report is also posted on the years of tax cutting have moved our state to the bottom With the linkage our campaign will foster, our objective MTA Web site at http://links.massteacher.org/governance. April/May 2010 35 Classifieds
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Did you know that one and click on “Professional Development and – Exceeding Teaching Standards Every Day. 3-credit graduate course equals 67.5 PDPs? PARIS VACATION APARTMENTS — Licensure.” Courses are offered in Dedham in 978.867.4322. Visit www.gordon.edu/graduate. Gordon’s Graduate Education program teaches Located in central Paris. Beautiful, comfortable cooperation with Boston University. critical thinking skills and quickly applies and good value. Visit www.rentals-paris.com or EMPLOYMENT the latest research in a fresh curriculum and call 516.977.3318. IS YOUR PRELIMINARY LICENSE intimate classroom setting. Gordon College EXPIRING? Get your Initial license in six TEACHERS — WANT ADDITIONAL 978.867.4322. www.gordon.edu/graduate. DEER ISLE, MAINE — Vacation in Down months. PRPIL (Performance Review Program INCOME, FUN? Host and tutor foreign East Maine (fall/spring/summer) on spectacular for Initial Licensure) is a portfolio-based students in English in your own home. Varied THIRD ANNUAL SUMMER STORYTELLING island of Blue Hill Peninsula. Acadia 35 miles route to Initial licensure offered exclusively short-term programs = many types of hosts INSTITUTE RETREAT IN WESTERN away! Glorious new custom house, walk to by Class Measures through the Department needed. Especially need families for summer, MASS.: NEW DATES! — August 6-8, 2010, ocean. Rental $900 wk (plus state tax of 6 of Elementary and Secondary Education retired teachers year-round (e.g., $550/week with international storyteller and certified percent to support school costs). Cleaning (DESE). Visit www.classmeasures.com or call for room, board, 15 hours tutoring). Curious? teacher Rona Leventhal. Learn the art of $90. Request detailed slide show. E-mail 781.939.5699 for more information. Contact [email protected] for details. storytelling and why it’s such a successful tool [email protected] or call 508.543.3043 781.581.5933. for motivating kids and promoting language or 508.838.4589 (cell). JOIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF and learning. Learn a lot, laugh a lot! 20 PDPs! SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS — K-12 H.S. TEACHERS — EXTRA INCOME, 413.586.0624/www.ronatales.com. KISSIMMEE CONDO FOR RENT — Four Principal/Asst. Principal, Supervisor/ FLEXIBLE HOURS. GREAT PAY. Lead miles from Disney. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, Director. The Leadership Licensure Program math or English SAT preparation. Metrowest TRAVEL sleeps 8, handicap accessible, all amenities. (LLP) is a high-quality one-year MDESE- area. Minimum commitment of just seven $75 per night. E-mail [email protected] for approved licensure program supported by hours total. Visit www.mwprep.com or e-mail SCOTLAND IN JULY WITH PETER AND availability. three professional organizations: MSSAA, [email protected]. ELEANOR SANTOS! — Bagpipes, kilts, Teachers21 and MASCD. Program information history and gorgeous scenery from Edinburgh CAPE COD WEST YARMOUTH — Colonial is available at: http://www.mssaa.org/ BECOME A BOSTON TOUR GUIDE — and Glasgow to the Isle of Skye and the Acres Resort on Nantucket Sound. Sleeps LLPhomepage.htm or by calling 508.541.7997. You’re a teacher so you have skills. We train. misty lochs. Maybe even a view of Nessie! 4. 7/3-7/10, beach and indoor pool. Call Hours are part time and seasonal. It’s fun! July 1-12, $2,975. For more information, 781.254.7565 for rates and details. TEACHER LICENSURE PROGRAM — If If you speak a foreign language, the pay contact Peter at [email protected] or call you have a Preliminary license at the secondary is dramatically higher. E-mail Norman at 413.567.3046. EAST FALMOUTH — Sunny 3-bedroom, level and are seeking Initial licensure, The [email protected] for more information. 1-bath Cape. Cathedral ceilings w/deck, outside Education Cooperative (TEC) has a program RETIRED TEACHERS — Durgan Travel, shower, washer/dryer. Stroll to secluded bay for you. Go to www.tec-coop.org and click on SPORT COACHING OPPORTUNITIES — an award-winning tour operator, has a full beach, picturesque walkway & public boat “Professional Development and Licensure.” Thundercat Sports is looking for teachers to schedule of all/mostly inclusive tours now landing. Less than a mile to Bristol & Falmouth Courses are offered on weekends and during direct and/or coach in summer sports camps/ through 2011, including jet tours and cruises Heights beaches. Close to shopping. $1,000 the summer at our Dedham site. clinics in eastern Mass. Sports include (domestic and international). We have the weekly. 508.872.5870. basketball, baseball, flag football, soccer, highest-value, best-priced tours in the industry! MASTER OF EDUCATION WITH mini-sports and multi-sports. Please apply at Group leader special promotions! Call VERMONT LAKE COTTAGE — Two PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE — Saturday www.thundercatsports.com. Direct questions Durgan Travel at 781.438.2224 or toll-free at bedrooms with additional bedroom/studio classes, $575 per class: Reading Specialist to [email protected] or call 800.234.9959, or visit www.durgantravel.com. outbuilding and dock. Boat rental, hiking 617.499.4820. trails and Stowe nearby. $600 weekly. E-mail PLEASE ALLOW US TO BE OF TRAVEL [email protected] or call 781.848.7582. For important THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE — Overnight SERVICE this summer or next academic year. information and updates, Program is a sleepover program that inspires Individuals: We arrange FITs with best rates NARRAGANSETT, RHODE ISLAND — Five- children to discover science in a fun and and service on jet or cruise vacations. Custom bedroom, two-bath, fully equipped, bedding visit the MTA educational way. To learn about the museum’s groups: absolutely highest value, lowest prices, included. Near beaches, Newport. Community Web site: part-time instructor (evenings only) and flexible group leader remuneration. Call Durgan Beach/boat ramp. Summer $1,200/wk.; off- overnight staff positions, available for the Travel, Stoneham, Mass., at 781.438.2224 or season $1,050/wk. E-mail: [email protected]. www.massteacher.org 2010-2011 school year, go to www.mos.org/jobs. toll-free at 800.234.9959. Check out our Web Interviews starting now! site, www.durgantravel.com. Continued on next page
36 April/May 2010 Classifieds
Continued from previous page setting on cul-de-sac adjacent to bike path. WELLFLEET — Room for rent in private anyone else! Renovated 2-level, 2-bedroom; Prime July vacation weeks still available June home. One bedroom (sleeps 2) with shared steps from sandy beach. Washer/dryer, CAPE COD, OCEAN EDGE RESORT, 26-July 10 and July 24-31; attractive rate of bath $80 per night. Two bedrooms (sleeps 4) dishwasher, cable TV, private patio, gas grill, BREWSTER, MASS. — Perfect vacation $875 per week. Month of June at a reduced with shared bath $150 per night. Weekly landscaped yard, ample parking. Call Kathy at resort setting. Spacious, nicely appointed villa, weekly rate of $700. 508.432.8825 (H) or rates available. Use of living room, deck, 207.967.4246. spiral staircase to large loft; 2 baths, sleeps 508.941.4529 (C). gas grill. Call 508.349.5848 or e-mail 6. Excellent location within resort, steps [email protected]. YORK/OGUNQUIT LINE, MAINE — from indoor/outdoor pools, tennis. Nearby ONSET, CAPE COD — Three-bedroom cottage. Walking distance to Perkins Cove and beaches, shopping, bike trails and more. $775 wk. Large enclosed porch and backyard. NANTUCKET ISLAND TOWNHOUSE — Marginal Way. Two-bedroom, large living Owned/offered by MTA member, summer 978.855.8886 or [email protected]. Fully furnished including linens. Two decks, room cottage. Kitchen area, deck, parking for weekly, off-season weeks or weekends. two bedrooms, 2.5 baths and full kitchen. three cars. Sleeps four. $900/wk in season. Call 413.594.4056, [email protected]. NOVA SCOTIA, SOUTH SHORE — Retired Sleeps six. Short walk to beautiful beaches. 508.865.3156 or e-mail [email protected] teacher offers fully furnished, equipped Near bus route and bike paths. Ideal for small for details. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA — summer home. Utilities included. $450/wk. family. By the week June through September. Fully equipped two-story cottage on private 203.393.2037. 201 Bear Hill Road, Bethany, Brochure available. Call 978.256.5044 or BERKSHIRES RESORT — Two bedrooms, four acres. Sleeps five. Two full bathrooms. Conn. 06524. e-mail [email protected]. two baths, kitchen, living room, porch. Living room with open fire. Satellite TV. Front Indoor/outdoor pools, game room. Museums, and back decks. Sweeping ocean view. Cycling, MARTHA’S VINEYARD — Apt. available OCEAN EDGE RESORT, CAPE COD, playhouses, Tanglewood. One or two weeks. golf and safe, warm swimming. Available May-September. Located above artist studio, BREWSTER, MASS. — Spacious, bright, Call 508.240.3937. May-September. U.S. $950 weekly. Please call sleeps two, clean, nicely decorated. Walk 2BR, 2BA, kid-friendly patio home. Equipped 661.533.1710 or e-mail [email protected]. to harbor, beach, shops, restaurants, public kitchen, patio and gas grill, spiral staircase HILTON HEAD, S.C. — 2BR, 2.5BA villa, transportation and bicycle paths. $500/wk, no to loft with queen futon. Sleeps six. Rental sleeps seven. Outstanding location: gated DEER ISLE, MAINE — Spacious country smoking, no pets. Call 508.693.9054. includes indoor/outdoor pools, tennis, bike community, golf view, near ocean. Video tour house near the sea, 1½ acres, sleeps six. trails within resort. Near beaches. Available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM6pt3NIRRY Sparkling clean. Three bedrooms, two baths; FOREST LAKE, WINDHAM, MAINE — July 10-August 7 — minimum stay: 7 nights. or call 508.678.0898. stroll to beach, boat landing, conservation Sparkling clean lake-front cottage, sleeps Call 617.524.9218. land. Hardwood floors, fieldstone fireplace, six. Swings, dock, washer/dryer, Wi-Fi, PINE POINT, SCARBOROUGH, MAINE Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchen, three decks, deck, kayaking, swimming, fishing, 15 miles CAPE COD ONSET — Seashells and sand. — Charming ocean view beach house. Steps picnic table, grill, many extras. Dogs by to Freeport and Portland. Available June- Charming Victorian, three-sided wrap-around to beach. Sleeps eight. Great yard. Thirteen arrangement. $950-$1,050/week. Details at September. $950 per week plus $75 cleaning. porch, steps from long white sand beach for miles from Portland. No smoking, no pets. www.hardyshillhouse.com. Call 978.283.3738 For details, call 781.258.6544 or e-mail swimming and kayaking. Four bedrooms, 617.926.5916. or e-mail [email protected]. [email protected]. new kitchen and laundry room, dishwasher, ACs, flat-screen TV. Rear garden, hot VOLUNTEERS WANTED CAPE COD — Sleeps 6; 3BR, 2BA, outdoor MARTHA’S VINEYARD — Historic Oak outside shower, gas grill; bonus: second- shower, dishwasher, screened porch, gas grill, Bluffs gingerbread cottage with wraparound floor balcony for sunset gazing. July/August MYSTIC VALLEY ELDER SERVICES playhouse, walk to W. Dennis beach, pond porch. June, July rentals. Five bedrooms that $1,000/wk. Call 617.669.9380 or e-mail seeks volunteers. SHINE councilors view. See: [email protected] sleep up to 13. Large living room, dining [email protected]. provide insurance information to Medicare (#109). $1,000/wk. Call 781.324.8277. room; new kitchen. Two baths, two blocks to beneficiaries. Call 781.324.7705, ext. 212, or beach, ferry, bike trails, Ocean Park and town. GOOSEROCKS BEACH, KENNEBUNKPORT, visit www.mves.org and click on Join Us! HARWICH, CAPE COD — Three-bedroom Families only. No smoking or pets. $2,250- MAINE — Paradise at off-season rates June home,SBLI0108 non-smoking, MTA all amenities,Dec Jan lovely Feb Ad_E:Layout$2,500. 781.659.7279. 1 12/29/09 1:54 PMand September.Page 1 Perfect for retired teachers or To advertise, e-mail [email protected].
The r kids an advan best educators give thei tage.
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April/May 2010 37 Obituaries
Helen Abramowicz, 87, of visually impaired in the Springfield James P. O’Brien, 47, of West- Lowell Regional Vocational Technical Worcester. Taught in the Shrewsbury Public Schools for 12 years. Feb. 4. field. Taught auto body reconditioning High School, the Leominster Center Public Schools for many years. Barbara R. Hawley, 78, of at Putnam Vocational Technical High for Technical Education and in the Feb. 6. Worcester. Was a paraprofessional and School in Springfield. March 17. adult evening program at Blackstone Mark A. Apostle, 59, of West parent liaison for the Worcester Public Anne R. Olsen, 88, of North Valley Regional Vocational Technical Bridgewater. Was an electrical teacher Schools, retiring in 2004. Feb. 13. Adams. Taught science at St. Joseph’s High School. March 7. for 25 years at Southeastern Regional Mary K. Keane, 70, of Holyoke. High School and Drury High School, Joan T. Smith, 84, of High School in Easton. Jan. 7. Taught for more than 35 years in the retiring in the 1980s. Jan. 6. Framingham. Was a teacher in the David F. Barry, 69, of Granby and Holyoke school systems, Donald Pratt, 82, of Stoughton. Framingham school system for 30 Marblehead. Was a professor of retiring from H.B. Lawrence School in Was the physical education director for years. Jan. 9. business law in the School of Business Holyoke in 2001. March 5. Braintree South Junior High for many Robert J. Swain, 80, of North Law at Salem State College for 35 Robert E. Larson, 79, of Easton. years, retiring in 1989. Jan. 3. Adams. Was an elementary teacher at years, retiring in 2004. Jan. 21. Was a teacher at Brockton High School Allen R. Rose, 72, of Westford. the Williamstown Elementary School, Biron R. Bernard, 85, of for over 30 years. Feb. 11. Was a vocational educator at Greater retiring in 1991. Jan. 8. Bellingham. Taught American history and business law for 32 years in the Bellingham school system. Jan. 24. Dr. Sandra L. Bohlin, 58, of Lakeville. Taught in Lake Oswego, Ore., for 13 years. Also taught in Acushnet, Freetown and Lakeville, at the Burnell Lab School and at Bridgewater State College. Feb. 11. Richard Bombardier, 61, of Cheshire. Was a career counselor at Berkshire Works for over 20 years. Also had various teaching positions at Hoosac Valley High School, the Adult Learning Center and the Berkshire County House of Correction. Jan. 19. Rosemary Curtis, 83, of Fitchburg. Was a school nurse for more than 25 years in the Fitchburg Public Schools. Feb. 11. John Durkin, 84, of Peabody. Taught English at Lynnfield High School and served as head of the English Department for many years until his retirement in 1983. Jan. 20. Ralph H. Flynn, 71, of Holliston. Was employed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association as labor orga- nizer and field manager. Jan. 27. Natalie Gorczyca, 85, of The best person to plan for Fairhaven. Was an elementary school teacher in Norton and a former prin- cipal of the L.G. Nourse Elementary your future is ... you. School, retiring in 1982. Jan. 15. Charles Patrick Greene, 80, of Wakefield. Taught in Stoneham and Long-Term Care Insurance can provide became assistant principal at Stoneham s i g n Junior High. Served as policy director the stability you need in the years ahead. of the Massachusetts State College Continuing Education Program and Even if you’re totally prepared for everything you can expect in the classroom, that then served as principal in Wakefield doesn’t mean you’re prepared for the unexpected arrangements you’ll need later in life. at the Franklin, Montrose, Dolbeare, That’s the role of Long-Term Care Insurance. Plan TODAY so that your future can be West Ward and Yeuell elementary simple and enjoyable, protected from the financial hardships associated with nursing schools. Feb. 14. home care, home care and assisted living. Maura A. Halloran, 44, of West Yarmouth. Was a teacher for the We work with you to: ✔ Design a Plan ✔ Find Competitive Plans ✔ Offer MTA Discounts
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38 April/May 2010 Introducing the card that gives members exactly what they asked for.
MTASM CASH REWARDS VISA SIGNATURE® CARD
More cash back with the NEW MTA Cash Rewards Card. $50 3x 1% LOW in statement credits* Cash back on gas, groceries Cash back ♦ Intro after qualifying and drugstore purchases for the on all purchases † ♦ APR OFFER transaction(s) first six months
Thanks to the partnership between the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) and the National Education Association (NEA), you’re now eligible to apply for the new MTASM Cash Rewards Card, which offers you many ways to get cash back. There’s $50 in statement credits – a combination of a $25 statement credit when you use your card for qualifying transaction(s), plus another $25 statement credit after your first redemption.*You earn 1% cash back on all purchases. You earn 3x cash back on select purchases (gas, groceries and drugstore purchases) for the first six months. Plus, you enjoy a 25% bonus for each redemption of $300 or more♦ and a low intro APR offer.†
To apply, call 1•888•758•7946. Be sure to mention Priority Code UABDAB.
† For more information about the rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of the credit card, call the toll-free number above or visit neamb.com. This credit card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A.
*To qualify for the first $25 statement credit, your new account must be used to make any combination of purchase, balance transfer or cash advance transactions totaling at least $75 (exclusive of any transaction fees, returns and adjustments) that post to your account within 45 days of the account open date. To qualify for the additional $25 statement credit, you must make your first Cash Rewards redemption within 12 months of the account open date. Each $25 credit will appear on your credit card statement within 8-12 weeks after qualifying. Limit one (1) $50 combined statement credit per new account. The MTA Credit Card offer is subject to application approval by Bank of America.
♦ Earn Cash Rewards of 1% of new net retail purchase transactions (qualifying purchases less credits, returns, and adjustments) charged to the card each billing cycle. For the first six months follow- ing the opening of your account, you will earn 3% of new net retail purchase transactions (consisting of 2% Bonus Rewards and 1% Base Rewards) made with the card at any eligible gas, grocery and drugstore merchant. Eligible merchants and their associated merchant category codes (“MCC”) are the following: (a) Gas Stations (MCC codes 5541 and 5542); (b) Grocery Stores (MCC codes 5411, 5422, 5441, 5451, 5462, and 5499); and (c) Pharmacy Stores (MCC codes 5122, 5295, 5912). Purchases made at merchants that do not process transactions under these terms will not qualify and you will not receive the Bonus Rewards benefit. If you redeem $300 or more in Cash Rewards in one redemption request, you will receive a redemption bonus equal to 25% of the amount redeemed. Other significant terms apply. Program subject to change. For more information, visit www.bankofamerica.com/neacashrewards. Details accompany new account materials.
The MTA Credit Card Program has been developed for MTA members and their families. If a member decides not to renew membership, that person and his/her family will no longer be eligible to receive the preferred rates, fees and special promotions offered through the MTA Credit Card Program. If eligible, a replacement card will be offered. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association, and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. The MTA Benefits logo is a service mark of MTA Benefits, Inc., which is used by the issuer pursuant to license. NEA Member Benefits logo is a service mark of NEA’s Member Benefits Corporation, which is used by the issuer pursuant to license. The MTA and NEA are not involved in the credit decision process; standard credit procedures are followed. All applications are subject to confidential standard review by FIA Card Services, N.A. Absolutely no membership dues are used to market this program. © 2010 Bank of America Corporation
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April/May 2010 39 Massachusetts Teachers Association http://www.facebook.com/massteacher
Volume 40, No. 4 April/May 2010
“Followers” Wanted: Join today! Official Publication of the Massachusetts Teachers Association See what you’ve been missing @ http://twitter.com/massteacher
Massachusetts Teachers Association http://www.facebook.com/massteacher
New season opens for MTA Red Sox Reading Game
By Bob“Followers” Duffy Wanted: educationalJoin today! programs that positively impact local Boston Marathon and ends with the traveler’s return youth, helping them achieve continued academic to Fenway Park. See what you’ve been missing @ http://twitter.com/massteacher he MTA, the Boston Red Sox and The success while recognizing the outstanding dedication This year’s deadline for students to have their Hanover Insurance Group Foundation are and commitment of our teachers,” said Hanover reading game entries filled out, signed by a parent T gearing up to throw out the opening day Insurance Group Foundation President Linda and postmarked is July 12. In early August, pitch for a new season of books, baseball and student McGowan. 100 entries will be picked, and the students achievement. Once again this year, Red Sox catcher who sent them in, along with their teachers, In the weeks ahead, schools throughout the Jason Varitek will serve as the spokesman will win pairs of tickets to a Red Sox home Commonwealth will receive posters, bookmarks and for the program. Varitek will appear on the game. entry forms for the MTA Red Sox Reading Game, posters and entry forms along with Wally In addition, five students — one from which inspires thousands of children in kindergarten the Green Monster, the team’s mascot. each region of the state — will be chosen through eighth grade to read hundreds of thousands “Jason’s willingness to play a leading as grand prize winners. Each will take of books over the summer. role in the MTA’s efforts to promote literacy part in a behind-the-scenes tour of the Springtime also marks the start of the Most sends the right message to our students,” ballpark, have the chance to go on the field Valuable Educator program, through which teachers, said MTA President Anne Wass. “He helps for a pre-game ceremony and receive an ESPs and other school staff are nominated for us make the point that reading is not only autographed baseball and a school visit recognition during home games at Fenway Park. essential for success, but also an enjoyable from Wally. Both the reading contest — which gives students activity during the summer and The reading game and other the chance to win tickets to ballgames and other throughout the year.” student achievement programs are prizes — and the MVE program are funded by a The featured book for 2010 is operated under the umbrella grant from Hanover. Wally the Green Monster And His Journey Through of Reading Matters, an MTA nonprofit. For “The MTA Red Sox Reading Game and the Most Red Sox Nation, by Jerry Remy, which tells a information, entry forms and other materials, visit Valuable Educator awards are two fun and exciting geographically instructive story that begins at the www.readingmatters.org. Honor roll honoree’s generosity helps program thrive By Bob Duffy It also marked yet another year of expansion for the MTA’s fall and winter student encouragement ath teacher Diana Buonopane has taken partnerships with both the Celtics and the Boston part in the MTA Boston Celtics Honor Bruins. M Roll Program every year since 2007 Like the honor roll effort, the MTA’s because it helps build school spirit and provides participation in the Bruins’ I Can Excel School her with an innovative way to reward student program is designed to boost student achievement achievement. and their interest in academics. “After that first game I knew that this was an In recent months, hundreds of educators around experience that I wanted to share with students every the state have participated in the Bruins I.C.E. year,” said Buonopane, who teaches at the Linden School program, which is presented by AT&T and School in Malden. seeks to help get students excited about learning by The program, she told MTA Today, is especially providing teachers in kindergarten through grade six enjoyable because it lets her reward hard-working with materials tied to the Curriculum Frameworks students with “something other than just a letter that incorporate hockey into lesson plans for math, grade.” geography, the environment, health and fitness. To ensure that her students will have a chance At an environmental summit this spring, the to participate in the honor roll program, Buonopane MTA and the Bruins will present Woburn High Photo by Bob Duffy uses her own funds to purchase tickets for Lucky, the mascot for the Boston Celtics, flies School with a jersey signed by the entire team. distribution to students who have perfect attendance through the air during a recent demonstration Environmental/earth science teacher Kathryn Teissier or maintain a B average. at the Linden School in Malden. du Cros will accept the jersey for the school during a “Now it has become a tradition in my school, ceremony recognizing its participation in the “Bruins and my eighth-grade students work very hard to be to the last home game and a basketball show at her Go Green” program. a part of the honor roll club and get an opportunity school put on by Lucky, the team mascot. “Not only are they hosting our summit, but their to go see the Boston Celtics,” Buonopane noted. “It The team and the MTA also randomly selected entire staff set up committees to organize, to create has become one of the highlights of the year for the 20 teachers who participated in this year’s program workshops and to manage an environmental fair, and students and something that the younger students and invited each of them, along with a guest, to their entire student body is participating,” said Robin look forward to participating in.” attend the Celtics’ last regular-season home game, in Organ, president of Green Schools, a nonprofit that Buonopane’s enthusiastic efforts to help the which they faced the Milwaukee Bucks. works with the MTA’s Reading Matters foundation to program succeed earned her the MTA Boston The contest capped a basketball season in which promote environmental awareness. Celtics Honor Roll Most Valuable Educator award nearly 300 students got discounted tickets to select To see a video of the show put on at the Linden this season. As the MVE for the program, which is games and were awarded membership in the Boston School by Lucky the Leprechaun, the Celtics’ high- sponsored by SBLI, she won Celtics gifts, tickets Celtics Kids Club. flying mascot, visit www.youtube.com/massteacher. 40 April/May 2010 VOLUME 22 / NUMBER 3 / SPRING 2010 The MTA Advantage
The MTA Advantage is a publication of MTA Benefits, a subsidiary of the Massachusetts Teachers Association
Four fabulous places ‘I used my MTA card to get free admission at the New FREE ADMISSION FOR MTA MEMBERS England Aquarium, a significant The MTA Discount Directory lists Old Sturbridge Village savings. hundreds of museums and other attractions The Civil War is still a generation away, ’ that offer free or discounted admission to and Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky are Myriah Hudak, MTA members. Visit all four places below “The West.” This is the time period Monson Teachers Association and save almost $80! re-created at Old Sturbridge Village, a favorite leisure-time destination with its Museum of Science, Boston 40 historic buildings, water-powered mills This museum is and working farm. Members can tour the New England’s early 1800s village’s district school and most visited cultural meet the “school-keeper,” interact with institution, a village historians in costumes and get place that inspires lesson ideas from blacksmiths, farmers, Peabody Essex Museum visitors to think printers, potters and tin-makers at work. Founded in 1799 by the East India Marine like scientists Spring and summer highlights include Society, the Peabody Essex Museum through hands-on, minds-on experiences. a Wool Days celebration over Memorial (PEM) in Salem is the oldest continuously A new exhibit explores human identity, Day weekend, a Music & Art Weekend operating museum in the United States. an Omni film takes the audience on June 19-20, Independence Day celebrations Collections include more than 800,000 a kaleidoscopic journey spanning and evening fireworks on July 4 and the works of art, 400,000 books and manu- 2,000 years of Arabian history and a Redcoats & Rebels Revolutionary War scripts, 10 historic buildings and the only juggling show demonstrates the mysteries re-enactment Aug. 7-8. For information, Qin dynasty home outside of China. of the atomic world – just some of the visit www.osv.org. Admission is $20 – Galleries present outstanding paintings, excitement you’ll find at the Museum free to MTA members. sculptures, photographs, drawings, textiles, of Science. Teachers of grades K-12 can architecture and decorative objects. join the free Teacher Partner Program Creativity across time, place and culture is and enjoy more benefits, such as a free demonstrated in PEM’s African, American, pass to the Omni Center, Planetarium Asian, maritime, Native American and and butterfly garden and borrowing oceanic art. A current PEM exhibit is Fiery privileges from the Educator Resource Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea, Center. For more information, visit presenting exciting new insights into the www.mos.org/educators. Admission Mayans’ focus on the sea as a spiritual to the Exhibit Hall is $20 – free to MTA members. Continued on page 4
An MTA member since 1977
KATEY SWANSON ~ another fan of MTA Benefits ASSOCIATION: Canton Teachers Association and member of MTA Board of Directors PROFESSION: Teaches child development and health at Canton High School
What teaching means to her: “I feel that I am helping to launch young people into adulthood as contributing members of society. This involves teaching them important skills — such as making good decisions and handling relationships — that they can use throughout their lives.”
How she takes advantage of MTA Benefits: “I have disability insurance through MTAB because I want this financial protection for my family. I also take advantage of MTA discounts at hotels, car rental companies, museums, bookstores and Celtics games.”
Why she likes MTAB: “With MTA’s large size and negotiating power, MTAB is able to offer members so many different ways to save money.” MTA member Jamillah Bakr is a Curling up with a Kindle Kindle giveaway winner and fan
t’s a whole new way to read – or listen Would she recommend the Kindle to other to – a book. Introduced in November MTA members? “Definitely,” Bakr responded. ‘I not only use Kindle for my 2007 as a revolutionary portable own reading, but my 6-year-old I ® reader, the Amazon Kindle wirelessly Extensive choices grandson and I listen to downloads and displays books, magazines, The Kindle Store currently offers more newspapers and other reading material than 400,000 books. Kindle customers books together.’ on a high-resolution electronic display can also select from the most recognized Jamillah Bakr, Cambridge Teachers Association that looks and reads like real paper. U.S. newspapers and magazines, such as Weighing about 10 ounces and small The New York Times, the Wall Street enough to hold in one hand, the Kindle Journal and Fortune, as well as top inter- is convenient to use and carry. Costs for national newspapers, including Le Monde Kindle books run anywhere from no cost and the Irish Times. Kindle newspaper for a classic to $9.99 for a best seller to subscriptions start at $5.99 per month, $6,431.20 for a book on nuclear materials and magazines start at $1.25 per month. and engineering systems. All magazines and newspapers include a free two-week trial. MTAB online giveaway “I was delighted when I won my Kindle in an MTA Benefits online giveaway last summer,” said Jamillah Bakr, a member of the Cambridge Teachers Association. “I not only use it for my own reading, but my 6-year-old grandson and I listen to books together. He selects the book, and in less than 60 seconds it’s downloaded onto the Kindle for us to enjoy.” Bakr also appreciates other Kindle advan- tages, including the option to review the For more information first chapter of books before purchasing on Kindle, visit them. “By quickly reading through the www.Amazon.com/Kindle. pages, I can decide if a book interests me Note: Pricing in the article at left may change at enough to buy it,” she said. any time at the discretion of Amazon.com.
A Bose® Wave® music system goes to the Are you a delegate? winner of the MTAB Spring Giveaway Stop by for “green” giveaways at the Enter the MTA Benefits Spring Giveaway for your chance to win MTAB booth the heralded Bose® Wave® music system. Sign up May 10-23 by “Think green” is the MTA Benefits theme going to www.mtabenefits.com, clicking on “Members Only” at the Annual Meeting of Delegates May 7 and then “MTAB Giveaways” and following and 8 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. That’s green as in saving the envi- the easy instructions. The winner’s name will ronment – and saving money with MTA be drawn on May 24. Could it be you? discounts. Come to our booth for give- aways, the latest benefits news and a photo opportunity. Hope to see you there.
Amanda Ghostlaw, Bellingham Teachers Association, previous Bose winner.
Giveaway dates and prizes can be found Winners of MTAB prizes at last year’s annual meeting on our Web site and in future issues of the MTA Advantage. included delegates Nancy Davis and Andrea Moore, both members of Gloucester Teachers Association.
Editor: Maryann C. Robinson 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108 No dues dollars are The MTA Advantage is published four times a year as Tel: 800.336.0990 • Fax: 617.557.6687 ever used to market MTA a supplement to MTA Today by MTA Benefits, Inc. Web site: www.mtabenefits.com Benefits programs. 2 After months of black and white winter landscapes, spring is here in all its colorful glory. Bring this favorite season The into your home – and your garden – with these ideas. Tip Sheet Spring things
Springtime in Boston Plum tree flower lights Nature illuminated – a bright idea! These designer The Massachusetts Bay Trading Company plum tree LED lights can glow beautifully in a vase or offers fine art prints by New England brilliantly enhance a silk floral arrangement. Just plug artists, including Spring Ducklings, a the cord into any outlet. Visit the Glass House at lithograph printed from an original www.glasshousegift.com and click on “lighting.” watercolor by Thomas Rebek, which is Illuminated willow branches are also available. MTA signed and numbered by the artist. For members get a 10 percent discount on gifts, furniture the company’s complete art selection, and home décor. visit www.massbaytrading.com. MTA members get a 10 percent discount on items by using the code MTA10 in the Seasonal coupon code field at checkout or calling Sunny gardens 781.916.9012 and mentioning MTA. fragrances Plant colorful new flowers and delicious vegetables Imagine rooms filled in your garden. Select perennials, annuals, herbs with aromatic and vegetable starts at Allandale Farm in lavender and lilac bushes. That’s Brookline, the Boston area’s last working farm. the sensation you experience Cool-tolerant plants are available in April, with spring fragrance candles and a full selection of plants will be from Aunt Sadie’s. available from mid-May into the summer. For more information, Look at the whole selection, avail- visit www.allandalefarm.com. able at a 25 percent MTA discount MTA members get a 10 at the Aunt Sadie’s store on Union percent discount Park Street in Boston or online at in the www.auntsadiesonline.com. garden center and retail store. Travel the storied Mohawk Trail
One of the Berkshires’ most beautiful drives, the 60-mile Mohawk Trail follows the old footpath Ways to save Native Americans of the Five Nations used as a trade route through the Connecticut and Hudson on your trip Valleys. Your trip starts near the beginning of the trail in Shelburne and takes you through forested wilder- Following are some places that ness, historic towns and mountainous landscapes. are free or give an MTA discount: Because this is a general guide, take along a map, Berkshire Hills Motel, global positioning system or other guide to get you Williamstown. Call 413.458.3950 to specific locations. Also bring your MTA Discount or 800.388.9677 or visit Directory for discounts at places of interest and www.berkshirehillsmotel.com. Hotel Discount Directory for savings on lodging. MTA members get a 10 percent (See “Ways to save on your trip.”) discount Sunday though Thursday, subject to availability. Starting point: Take Route 2 to Shelburne, known for the Bridge of Flowers. Formerly a trolley bridge, this favorite attraction Sterling and Francine Clark Art displays a glorious profusion of flowers from early spring into fall. Institute, Williamstown. Call 413.458.2303 or visit www.clarkart.edu. The institute is Continue on Route 2 to major destinations for outdoor lovers: the Mohawk free from November through May. During Trail State Forest and the Savoy State Forest. Both feature inspired hiking other times, MTA members get a $2 discount trails, including portions of the original Mohawk Trail footpath. A half-mile on admission. hike in the Savoy Forest takes you to Tannery Falls, a waterfall with a dramatic 80-foot drop. Near the 2,240-foot Whitcomb Summit, the highest point along the Mohawk Trail, is Florida with its Hoosac railway tunnel, a 4.7-mile passage that spurred the development of North Adams, a factory town to the west. Focusing on preservation, North Adams is home to the Western Gateway Heritage State Park and the converted 27-building historic mill complex of MASS MoCA, a museum of contemporary art. Nearby is the Natural Bridge State Park, built on an enormous marble quarry, the only bridge of its kind in New England. Historic Deerfield, Deerfield. This authentic early American village is a short side trip Continue west through Adams, the birthplace of Susan B. Anthony, and on to from Route 2. Call 413.775.7214 or visit Williamstown, home of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute with its www.historic-deerfield.org. MTA members famed collection of sculpture and paintings, including works by Sargent, Cassatt get in free. and Winslow Homer – a beautiful way to conclude your Mohawk Trail trip. 3 New credit card law goes into effect MORE FAIRNESS FOR CARDHOLDERS
The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 went into effect in February of this year, providing consumers with a fair chance both to access credit and to repay the amounts they owe. Following are new rules and what they mean to you if you have an MTASM Credit Card through MTA Benefits. Benefits for cardholders The credit card act includes the following new regulations: No rate increases on existing credit card balances, with More consistency and time for payments. Payments will be certain exceptions. These include increases due to a variable due the same day every month, and consumers have at least 25 rate index, temporary or promotional rate expiration and days from the time their statement is mailed until the minimum severe delinquency. payment is due. With an MTASM Credit Card, you always have had at least 25 days to pay. Minimum promotional rate of six months. More information on your statement. The new MTASM New rules for payment allocation. If you have balances with Credit Card statement is in an easy-to-read, organized format. different interest rates, any amount paid over the minimum Information is clear, concise and designed to help you manage payment on your MTASM Credit Card will be applied first to your money. The statement shows how fees are charged and balances with the highest rates. This allows you to pay down how interest is calculated. It also provides ways to avoid high balances faster. problems. For example, the statement points out how much Option for over-limit fee. Companies that allow charges to go it will cost and how long it will take if you only make the beyond a consumer’s credit limit can no longer charge over-limit minimum payment each month. fees, unless the consumer “opts in” to exceed the credit limit. Easier access to your credit card agreement. If you need Bank of America has decided to eliminate over-limit fees on its to refer to your own credit card agreement, you can request credit card accounts. Remember that it is your responsibility to it online. keep up with how close you are to your limit. This can be done at www.bankofamerica.com/onlinebanking. You can set No payment fees for non-expedited payment services. up online alerts to notify you when you’re close to your credit Unless expedited, fees for phone and other forms of payment limit or when a payment is due, saving you from late fees and are prohibited. The MTASM Credit Card program does not penalties. Also, if you can’t mail your payment seven days include fees for any form of payment.
before the due date, you can pay by phone or online at no SM additional charge. All payments made by phone by 8 p.m. For more information on the MTA Credit Card program Eastern Time will be credited on the same day or ways you’ll benefit from the new credit card act, visit www.mtabenefits.com or call 877.721.9398. MTA Appreciation Day at Four fabulous places Continued from page 1
realm and inspiration for the finest works of art. Visitors can also enjoy dining in the light-filled atrium or outside in the Garden Restaurant. For more information, visit www.pem.org. Admission is $15 to PEM, $5 to the Qin dynasty home – both free to MTA members.
New England Aquarium Explore the world of blue water and breathtaking marine life at the New England Aquarium in Boston. Look through the glass of the 200,000-gallon ocean tank and watch a shark, sea turtle, octopus, lionfish and other exotic sea Mark the date – July 24 – so you won’t miss this creatures glide by. Peer at penguins through an underwater periscope, play with them special adventure! at the penguin light station and listen to The second annual MTA Appreciation Day at Six Flags – New England costs “Hear a Penguin.” Take incredible journeys only $37 per person (plus tax), which includes all-day admission to the park and at the IMAX theater to creature habitats Hurricane Harbor Water Park, an all-you-can-eat buffet and free parking. Thrill at the bottom of the sea and other exotic to pulse-pounding roller coasters and deep-plunging water slides, ride the popular places. For more information, visit 1909 carousel and enjoy other family fun activities you’ll find throughout the parks. www.neaq.org. Admission is $20.95 – Take in some of the park’s top-shelf shows for even more great memories. free to MTA members (excludes certain school holiday weeks). The IMAX show is Six Flags is located in Springfield. Get your tickets for MTA Appreciation Day at not discounted for MTA members. sfnepicnic.com/mta.
All program and pricing information was current at the time of publication (April 2010) and is subject to change without notice. To find out what may have changed, please call MTA Benefits at 800.336.0990, ext. 5226. 4