HR is working to prepare the notifications and necessary paperwork to begin the selection pool process. As of this writing, it looks as though notices will arrive in school mailboxes on Friday.
A BFT Newsletter focused on the pool process will arrive at all schools for stewards to distribute on Wednesday.
Now that the City and BOE budgets have been finalized, the process of running the selection pool for displaced teachers will begin.
Next week, teachers affected by closure or redistricting will be notified of their being displaced, and will be given a list of available positions. They will be able to list up to six preferences, and will have three days to return their paperwork to Human Resources before the placement process will start.
BFT representatives will continue to work with Human Resources to ensure all contractual obligations are followed as this enormous undertaking begins.
Incoming superintendent Dr. Ellen Solek will make herself available to meet with teachers, parents, and community members during the Open House being held at Memorial Boulevard Middle School on June 6 from 4 to 7 PM. Please come out to see MBMS one last time and to meet Dr. Solek, who will become superintendent on July 1.
The budget for the 2012-2013 school year will directly effect the available staffing at each school in the district. The next two weeks will be crucial to determining the exact amount of funds allocated to the schools and which programs are funded. Here is what you need to know:
May 17 at 6:30 PM in the BOE Auditorium – The BOE Finance Committee will hold a meeting to discuss potential reductions (by the Bristol City Council and Board of Finance) to the BOE budget.
May 21 at 5:30 PM at the City Hall Council Chambers – The City Council and Board of Finance will vote on the city budget for the next fiscal year, including the school budget.
May 22 at 6:30 PM at the BOE building Room 36 – The BOE Finance Committee will hold a meeting to review and recommend a budget for adoption by the full BOE membership. The full BOE will then meet at 7:00 PM to vote and approve a budget for the 2012-2013 school year.
At 3:45 am Tuesday morning, the State Senate passed Senate Bill 458 by a vote of 28-7. The bill goes on to the House of Representatives where it will be voted on later today.
Senate Bill 458 contains numerous provisions which include:
Read the full bill here.
How did your state representatives vote? Find out here.
Article from the Connecticut Mirror
Article from the Hartford Courant.
Today the AFT CT sent out an action alert to local union leadership urging all teachers to contact Governor Malloy immediately. Follow this link to get info.
The legislative session is only days away from ending, and that means the political wrangling over Senate Bill 24 is occurring non-stop between now and May 9. It was reported in the Hartford Courant on May 3 that the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus is supporting many aspects of Governor Malloy’s original bill proposal. The AFT CT needs teachers to call or email to express their disapproval of Governor Malloy’s proposal and support the revised version of Senate Bill 24 that exited the Education Committee last month.
Make your voice heard before it’s too late. Click here to find your state representatives.
In a show of fraternity and support of their union and profession, almost 200 Bristol teachers descended upon Memorial Boulevard Middle School for a demonstration ahead of Governor Malloy’s appearance. During the event, the governor faced question after question from a sceptical audience, including not only teachers from Bristol and nearby districts, but Bristol Board of Education members and parents as well.
Pictures are below, and here is the Bristol Press article, a Hartford Courant news item (toward the bottom), and something from WTNH.
Just a few hours ago it was announced that Governor Malloy will be holding an Education Town Hall at Memorial Boulevard Middle School on Tuesday, May 1 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM. Doors will open at 6:15 PM. All Bristol teachers are urged to attend, and the BFT plans on having a strong presence. For Bristol teachers, this is our opportunity to speak to Governor Malloy and tell him how to really close the education gap. With only a week left in the legislative session, this may very well be his last town hall before Senate Bill 24 is passed in one form or another.
Stewards will be holding special meetings to discuss the event on Monday after school.
On April 24 and April 25, teachers from all over Connecticut converged on the capital to make their voices heard.
Fox 61 Coverage of Day 1 - Video
WFSB Coverage of Day 2 Rally Teachers rally for education reform.
NBC 30 Coverage of Day 1 – Video
Hartford Courant Coverage of Day 1 – print coverage
Bus transportation from BEHS to the rally at the state capital today has been canceled. The rally will still go forward, starting at 5 PM, and members are encouraged to attend.
For those interested in taking a bus from another location in the state, please visit this page for registration information and a list of locations.
