Dear BTU members,
As many of you are aware, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has been threatening for years to wage an anti-democratic, racist takeover of our schools by putting us in receivership. As of this morning, their threats have taken a new form, and Commissioner Riley has recommended that the Board votes to declare BPS an "underperforming district" at their Tuesday, June 28 meeting in Malden. We are holding an EMERGENCY Town Hall this Sunday, June 26 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm to discuss what Commissioner Riley's new proposal to declare BPS "underperforming" is and what would happen to BPS if the Board votes to do so. This will be a public town hall, and we encourage you to invite fellow families and students. Sign up now.
The effects of state takeovers have already been felt in Boston. The Dever and UP Holland schools have both under receivership for over eight years now, which has led to higher staff turnover, less experienced staff, a dismantled dual language program, and a weakened ability to enforce portions of our contract. What our schools need are the proposals we have been advocating for and an accountable, elected school committee.
We encourage you to join our Town Hall on Sunday evening and learn how we can fight back against this undemocratic, racist takeover scheme. Please be sure to attend this critical meeting.
Unless there is a signed MOA before Tuesday that averts receivership and other top-down state interventions, on Tuesday, June 28th, we will gather at 8am outside the DESE headquarters (75 Pleasant St. in Malden) to rally against state takeover and for a BTU contract now. At 8:30am we’ll enter the meeting to watch public testimonies when the board meeting begins at 9am.
RSVP at bit.ly/Rally628. There’s garage parking right next to the DESE building, the location is easily accessed by the Orange Line, or if you’d like to take the bus with us from the BTU, email Daphne (dsoto@btu.org) to reserve your seat.
Visit btu.org/OurCityOurSchools for a comprehensive list of action items and a sign-up link to join the coalition. Together, our collective power can move the needle.
In solidarity,
BTU Officers and Staff
