We need you to help save our schools!

Dear SEA Member,

Welcome back!

We hope that you had a restful summer and are ready for a new and exciting year. We have a lot going on this year!

The campaign to defeat Question 2 needs all of us to step up. Public school funding (especially in Springfield) will be negatively impacted if this ballot question passes! Last year Springfield lost $32 million to charter schools, this year it is $45 million! That is a total of $1,700 per student taken from the education of the 25,000 students who are still attending schools.

Help Us!

We are making phone calls on Thursdays(4:30 PM-7 PM), visiting parents in their homes on Saturdays (11-1:30), doing visibility on Primary Day (before and after school) and possibly tabling at the Stone Soul Festival over Labor Day weekend. Please click on the link below and let us know when you can help.

http://tinyurl.com/sea2016fall

For more information about the Charter Cap question:

Visit the MTA website: http://massteacher.org/issues_and_action/charter_schools.aspx

Join the Telephone Town Hall with President Barbara Madeloni at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 31. This is an opportunity for MTA members to share ideas, ask questions and learn more about the campaign to defeat the ballot question aimed at lifting the cap on charter schools in Massachusetts. How to access the Town Hall:If the MTA has your phone number, you should be called within a few minutes of 7 p.m. on Aug. 31. Just pick up your phone to participate in the Telephone Town Hall. If you prefer, or if you do not receive a call, please call in. The toll-free number and access code are as follows: Call-in number: 855.756.7520 Conference number (when prompted): 32559#

Read the Encyclopedia of American Politics explanation of Question 2: https://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_Authorization_of_Additional_Charter_Schools_and_Charter_School_Expansion,_Question_2_(2016)

In addition to the Ballot question work, the SEA is working on re-negotiating the contract between the SEA and the District which outlines our working conditions. We have a tentative date for our next bargaining session with the District of September 14th. Look for an update from us after that bargaining session. To review the survey results, our bargaining proposals (we will be proposing more in the 14th), and the District's initial proposal to us, please visit www.seateachers.com and click on "bargaining".

Again, welcome back!