Question of the Week (new) Last week's question:  Should the NTA endorse a statewide campaign by Massachusetts Families for Vaccines to support House bill 2554, which would remove the non-medical (religious) school vaccine exemption? This week's question:  Should the NTA Negotiations Team prioritize raising the cap on sick days buy back, increasing longevity payments, or both? Context Sick days buy-back Most NTA members have hundreds of sick days remaining when they retire. T

Question of the Week (new) Last week's question: When do you think the snow will be melted, so that our lawns, sidewalks and streets will be clear? (Not the huge piles in parking lots.) This week's question:  Should the NTA endorse a statewide campaign by Massachusetts Families for Vaccines to support House bill 2554, which would remove the non-medical (religious) school vaccine exemption? Background The Director of Massachusetts Families for Vaccines reached out to the NTA t

Question of the Week (new)  Question from March 1: The Trump administration's decision to attack Iran along with Israel was a smart strategic move.  Last week's question was controversial. I heard from a few members that they were worried that the NTA was planning to issue a statement or resolution on the war against Iran. Others expressed concern that by asking the question, the NTA was assuming a democratic, liberal, progressive, or leftist member bias.  We have no plans to

Question of the Week (new) Question from February 15: Do you think that the NTA should collaborate with the City of Newton and the Newton Public Schools to prepare for increased ICE activity in our schools? This week's question: The Trump administration's decision to attack Iran along with Israel was a smart strategic move.  Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree NTA Office Relocation (new) The Newton Teachers Association Office has moved. We are now located

Question of the Week (new)  I will report the results of the last question of the week next week, and add another question then.   Anna Nolin's February 22 "Inside Voice" Email: A Reponse  (new) The Pace and Efficacy of Change This document is a response to Anna Nolin’s February 22 “Inside Voice” email to staff. I have divided my response to Nolin’s email to staff into two parts: Part one is her response to concerns you voiced in our NTA member survey. I appreciate that she

Question of the Week (new) Answers to last week's question:  Do you think we, as members of the NTA, should be preparing for increased ICE activity in our city? I found these results perplexing. I had thought that the membership of the NTA would be largely unified around the need to prepare for increased ICE activity. However, 25% of respondents saying 'no' must be taken very seriously. There are two things I noted in the wording of the question that may have elicited a no v

Question of the Week (new) Answers to last week's question: How many more snow days do you think we will have this school year? This week's   question: ( click on your answer below the question to register your vote.) Do you think the we, as members of the NTA, should be preparing for increased ICE activity in our city? yes no   NTA Quality of Life and Working Conditions Survey (new) Last week I shared responses to the entire NTA Quality of Life and Working Conditions Survey.

Question of the Week (new) Answers to last week's question: A lot of skepticism that we can negotiate a new contract before the current one expires.  This week's (light) question: (click on your answer below the question to register your vote.) How many more snow days do you think we will have this school year?  zero one two three more than three   NTA Quality of Life and Working Conditions Survey (new) Last week I said I would share the survey with you in segments. I am shi

Dear Colleagues, In the light of the horrendous invasion of Minneapolis and St. Paul by ICE, and the murders of two innocent civilians there, it feels surreal to turn to the mundane business of being a local union. So you aware, we are already weighing how we can demonstrate our solidarity with the residents of Minneapolis. St. Paul, and other cities across the nation and protest the violence instigated by Trump and his allies in the White House.  Question of the Week (new)