INSERT
LTU
The Lynn Teacher
A Publication of Lynn Teachers Union, Local 1037
December 2015
STAND UP TO TELL STATE EDUCATION OFFICIALS:
KEEP PUBLIC FUNDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has scheduled a
public hearing on a proposed new charter school in Lynn: Central Square Public
Charter School. If approved, the school would open in 2017 and eventually serve
640 students in grades 5-12.
Attend the hearing on December 8 and join with educators and parents to support
our schools and students in a stand against charter school expansion in Lynn.
Recruit a friend or colleague to come with you.
Charter schools already drain more than $15 million from the Lynn Public
Schools. If this new charter school is approved, an additional $8 million would be
diverted from our public schools—cutting further into the academic programs,
enrichment activities, and social services our students need and deserve.
Charter schools are short-changing our students, educators and communities. They often:
•
•
•
Fail to serve as many high-needs students as their sending districts, especially SPED and ELL students.
Use a hyper-disciplinary model and other practices that drive out students who don’t fit their paradigm.
Are unaccountable to parents, taxpayers and communities.
WHAT:
Hearing on the Central Square Public Charter School
WHERE:
Lynn City Hall
1 City Hall Square
City Council Chambers
WHEN:
Tuesday, December 8 from 4 - 6 p.m.
Visit the charter section of the LTU’s webpage for additional information including a
document on charters called Broken Promises: How Massachusetts Charter Schools
Are Shortchanging Students, Educators, and Communities—And What Can Be Done
About It and the Central Square Public Charter School application.
OUR KIDS
CAN’T
AFFORD THE
BROKEN
PROMISES
OF CHARTER
SCHOOLS.
From the President
Dear members of the Lynn Teachers Union:
o
Good Day and Happy Holidays!
December 8th Charter Hearing – Your Voice Matters
LTU members, parents, elected officials and the public are
encouraged to oppose the establishment of a new 5-12
charter school in downtown Lynn and to voice that
opposition to the Board of Elementary and Secondary
Education. If approved, the Central Square Public Charter
School would open in 2017, would not be accountable to
Lynn taxpayers or elected officials and would drain millions
of dollars from Lynn’s public schools.
Support all of Lynn’s students and public schools: attend
the December 8th public hearing, testify at the hearing or
submit written comments through January 6, 2016 to the
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education, c/o Charter School Office, 75 Pleasant Street,
Malden MA 02148 or charterschools@doe.mass.edu. Your
involvement is valuable and appreciated.
LTU Trivia – Are you smarter that a principal?
Congratulations to the Marshall Madness team of Annie
Dean, Colleen McGuinness, Claire Price, Meghann Price,
Jared Rooks, Jake Selinger and Kristen Tabacco for their first
place finish at the LTU’s sixth trivia night on November 24,
2015 at Prince Pizza. Twenty-three teams and over 150
educators competed for fun, facts and solidarity.
Thank you to Jennifer Berkshire, Alison Brennan, Diane
Dunn, Brian LaPierre, Colleen McElligott-Liporto and Sheila
O’Neil for their role in making the event a wild success and
to all the participants for helping raise over $1000 for Item
Santa!
o
o
Upcoming Events
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s
Charter School Hearing – 12/8 – Lynn City Hall
– 4 to 6 p.m.
LTU Holiday Social – 12/9 – Peabody Marriott –
3 to 6 p.m.
Membership Meeting – 12/16 – Union Office –
3 p.m.
MA Teachers’ Retirement Board Election
Two AFT MA-endorsed candidates — Jacqueline
Gorrie and Dennis Naughton — are running for seats
on the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement Board.
As members of the Massachusetts Teachers’
Retirement System, teachers and therapists are
encouraged to exercise their right to vote. Visit
www.aftma.org and www.mass.gov/mtrs/ for
additional information about the election.
LTU Scholarships 2016 - a proud tradition
The LTU awarded scholarships to Jennifer Deleon,
Miguel Jimenez and Cassidy McGann in 2015. The
LTU will again in 2016 be awarding three $1,500
scholarships to seniors in the Lynn Public Schools
who plan to continue their education. Scholarships
will be awarded based on the Labor History Exam
scheduled for February 2016. Please encourage
prospective students to consult with their guidance
counselor as soon as possible as the registration
deadline is December 14, 2015.
Visit the scholarship section of the LTU’s webpage
for information concerning scholarships for
dependents of LTU members from AFT MA and
other affiliates.
Visit the trivia section of the LTU’s webpage to review the
trivia question and pictures.
Comings and Goings
Congratulations and best wishes to Elizabeth Ayer on her
retirement! Congratulations are also in order to the following
LTU members on their appointments:
• Tyler Ferguson – School Psychologist
• Leanne Palmer – Program Specialist for SPED
• Phil McQueen – Classical ELA Department Head
We Remember
LTU members Barbara J. Cote, Rosemary Dwyer, John J.
"Jack" Reynolds and Michael J. Slazar recently passed. The
LTU extends its sincere condolences to their family and
friends.
Sincerely,
Brant Duncan
The Lynn Teacher is published and printed by:
Lynn Teachers Union
Local 1037 AFT AFL-CIO
679 Western Avenue
Lynn, MA 01905
781-599-5591
ltu1037@lynnteachersunion.org
www.lynnteachersunion.org
President: Brant Duncan
First Vice President: Colleen McElligott-Liporto
Second Vice President: Catherine Deveney
Secretary Treasurer: Paul Mailloux
Corresponding Secretary: Diana Luciano
Recording Secretary: Sheila O’Neil
Sergeant at Arms: Richard Newton