Congratulations to our newest WBLTA Certified Negotiators!

From left: Michelle Padden, Abbi Case, Becky Butters, Karin Hogen, John Forestell, Tony Walfoort, Ben Kirkham

Celebrating one of our own! The new Baltimore County executive John Olszewski Jr. has named BCFPE President and AFT-Maryland Vice President John Ripley to his transition team. Ripley has been assigned to the public safety workgroup.

Baltimore county nurses including BCFPHN members met with Del. Bonnie Cullison to devise a plan for uniform training standards. The meeting was productive and expands on the work the union has been doing all year to enhance training protocol. BCFPHN will be working closely with the delegate when the legislative session begins in January.

There are five major fines, lawsuits and federal investigations from previous administrations that could soon drain millions of dollars from the school district’s budget, according to Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León.

One fine alone that has gone unpaid for three years could cost $48 million -- at a minimum.

Competency 4 remains such a big thorn for so many of us because of the added weight in our annuals. 

Year long indicators for Competency 4:

4d. Using Data. Teacher tracks assessment data to understand each student’s progress toward mastery and uses results to guide planning and instruction.

4e. Understanding of Growth. Teacher can articulate specifically (and with evidence) whether or not each student has internalized grade-level standards and, if not, what s/he still needs to learn.

An optinion article by

Harmon L. Walker, Political Action Chairperson

The Baltimore Teachers Union and the City Union of Baltimore are leading a school safety task force. This report by WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore features comments from Presidents of both unions: Marietta English of the BTU, and Antoinette Ryan-Johnson of CUB.

See the video at WJZ-13 -  
baltimore.cbslocal.com

Read a statement from CUB President Antoinette Ryan-Johnson at cub.md.aft.org.

Read more on the BTU Facebook page.

Newark teachers are due for a $2.5 million windfall this year, and hundreds more can expect hefty raises in the future, thanks to a new agreement between the district and the city teachers union.

As you may have heard, we are saddened to inform you that Yvonne Atteberry, Maple’s beloved librarian, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Mrs. Atteberry was an amazing employee of Springfield Public Schools since 1993 where she worked in a variety of positions including librarian, family center coordinator, SMART volunteer, PTA officer, educational assistant, and served as President of the OSEA. Her passion was always with her school, students, staff, families as well as our community as a whole.