The Massachusetts Teachers Association
2 Heritage Drive, 8th Floor
Quincy, MA 02171-2119
800.392.6175 or 617.878.8000
FAX: 617.742.7046
www.massteacher.org
Forums focus on right to opt out 3
Editorial: Let’s step up and win the charter fight 4
Letters to the editor 4
ESPs focus on ties with communities 5
Save Our Public Schools coalition battles charter cap lift 6
MTA higher education members gather for conference 8
Summer Conference to run from July 31 to August 4 9
Agency fees exist to serve the common good 10
DESE seeks to offer no-cost SEI courses 11
Reasons to become an MTA/NEA Retired member 12
Update effort helps locals strengthen communications 13
Spring into the right coverage with Educators Insurance 14
Open enrollment ends soon for MTA disability insurance 14
Public Higher Education Advocacy Day held at State House 15
Regional retirement consultations available 17
Obituaries 19
Charter proponents’ claims “demonstrably false” 20
Annual Meeting agenda features elections and awards 21
Candidate for MTA President: Barbara Madeloni 22
Candidate for MTA President: Tim Sullivan 23
Candidate for MTA President: Janet Anderson 24
Candidate for MTA Vice President: Erik Champy 25
Candidate for MTA Vice President: Merrie Najimy 25
Candidate for MTA Vice President: Mike Shannon 26
Alternative nomination process is available under MTA Bylaws 26
Candidates vie for seats on Board and Executive Committee 27
Biographical statements of candidates for Executive Committee 28
Biographical statements of candidates for Board of Directors 29-30
Human Relations Committee banquet set for June 17 30
Amendments to bylaws are proposed 31-33
Standing rule amendment is proposed 33
Eight candidates seek seats on MTA Retired Members Committee 33
Amendments to resolutions are recommended 34
Annual Report of the Executive Director-Treasurer 35
Members attend open house at new MTA headquarters 36
Classifieds 38
Educators work to ensure that students’ needs are met 40
IN THIS ISSUE
M TA TODAY, ISSN 08982481, is published
quarterly by the Massachusetts Teachers
Association. Subscription: $3.24 of MTA
members’ dues is designated for MTA Today.
Periodicals postage rates paid at Boston, MA,
and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to: M TA Today, 2 Heritage
Drive, 8th Floor, Quincy, MA 02171-2119.
Copyright ©2016 by the Massachusetts Teachers
Association. All material in this periodical may
be reproduced by educators for distribution to
students or by affiliate associations for their
own publications. Unless expressly stated,
acceptance of advertising does not necessarily
imply endorsement of the product by MTA or
M TA Benefits.
MTA’S MISSION STATEMENT
The Massachusetts Teachers
Association is a member-driven
organization, governed by democratic
principles, that accepts and supports
the interdependence of professionalism
and unionism. The MTA promotes
the use of its members’ collective
power to advance their professional
and economic interests. The MTA is
committed to human and civil rights and
advocates for quality public education in
an environment in which lifelong learning
and innovation flourish.
MTA President
Barbara Madeloni
MTA Vice President
Janet Anderson
Executive Director-Treasurer
Ann Clarke
Publisher
Ann Clarke
Communications Director/Editor
James Sacks
Staff Assistant
Janice Morrissey
Graphic Designer
Joshua Degregorio
Quote-Unquote
“Allowing additional charter school growth every
year, without any end, will result in significant
and irreparable harm to our public schools and
the students who rely on them.”
— Juan Cofield, president of the New England Area
Conference of the NAACP, speaking against a ballot
initiative that would lift the charter school cap
ON THE COVER
The Save Our Public Schools
campaign is underway, with
the MTA and other coalition
members delivering the
message that lifting the cap
on charter
schools would
lead to the
loss of billions
of dollars
in funding
for public
education.
Juan Cofield,
president of the New England
Area Conference of the
NAACP, spoke at the launch
of the campaign on March
16 outside the State House.
Coverage begins on Page 6.
Meanwhile, educators are
holding forums on the right
to opt students out of high-stakes standardized tests. A
story on the forums appears
on Page 3. This edition of
MTA Today also includes a
section on the upcoming
Annual Meeting of Delegates,
beginning on Page 21.
Cover photo by Eric Haynes
Cover design by Joshua Degregorio
This edition of MTA Today also includes
the Spring edition of the MTA Advantage
Holyoke High School Music Director Mark Todd was
chosen to be an MTA Red Sox Most Valuable Educator
last season. Todd was honored on the field during Red
Sox Mascot Day at Fenway Park. Although the MTA Red
Sox Reading Game has been discontinued this year,
the Most Valuable Educator program is in full swing.
To nominate a public school educator, another school
worker or a volunteer to be an MTA Red Sox Most
Valuable Educator, send an essay of up to 400 words
to Most Valuable Educator, c/o Red Sox Community
Relations, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston MA 02215. MVE
nominations must be postmarked by June 30.
Photo courtesy of the Boston Red Sox
