In this issue
Possible Proposition 2 and 1/2 Override
The City of Newton is currently contemplating putting a Proposition 2 1/2 override on the ballot in the spring of 2023. The mayor will be deciding soon what she will be asking for from the public. Please complete this very brief survey to let us know what you think the district needs to fund to improve our schools. Let's let the mayor know what educators think should be our school priorities.
Negotiations Update
I am going to continue publishing the full list of members of the team regularly. If you have questions, comments, feedback, or just a "thank you" to share--please contact one of the members.
NTA Negotiations Team
Michael Zilles, President, NTA
Elizabeth Ross del Porto, First Vice President, Angier Elementary
Liz Simpson, Second Vice President, Oak Hill Middle School
Christine Walsh, Second Release Officer and Treasurer, NTA
Michael Burtch, Unit A Member, Bigelow Middle School
Valerie Brunache Lewis, Unit C Member, Countryside Elementary School
Sue Cohen, Recording Secretary, Springboard Program
Brenna Green, Unit A Member, Cabot Elementary
Lynn Penczar, Unit A Member, Lincoln-Eliot Elementary
Elana Cutler, Unit A Member, Brown Middle
Derek Knapp, Unit A Member, Newton North High
Marcia Okun, Unit A Member, Newton South High
Jayme Ellis, Unit A Member, Burr Elementary
Ally Andrews, Unit B Member, Franklin, Horace Mann, and Lincoln-Eliot
Dan Rubin, Unit B Member, Newton South High
Sarah Wysocki, Unit C Member, Newton North High
Thuy Truong, Unit C Member, Newton Early Childhood Program
Janette Patel, Unit C Member, Oak Hill Middle School
Tony Sbordone, Unit E Member, Ed Center
Thomas Buchau, Unit E Member
Jason Leto, Field Representative, MTA
Fair Share Amendment
November 8th. That is the date when Massachusetts voters will decide whether those who earn more than one million dollars per year will pay their fair share of income taxes towards pre-k to 12 and higher education as well as transportation. To learn more about the Fair Share Amendment and ways you can participate in your city or town, click here. If you would like to join your NTA colleagues to mobilize support here in Newton, we have organized the following events: Click here to sign up to phone bank for an hour from our NTA office between 4:00 and 7:00 on October 4 and October 19. Bring your laptops. Phone banking is not what you think it is. You will be using a dialer that immediately puts you on the phone with a real person--no ringing, no answering machines, no waiting. You will be calling likely yes voters who will actually be glad to speak with you! And MTA will provide you with an easy script to follow.
Loan Forgiveness
I'm sure you have been reading about Biden's most recent plans to reduce student debt. That's currently making the headlines. As public educators, you also likely qualify for complete loan forgiveness.
This article from the NEA explains the basics of the various loan forgiveness options available for educators, and lets you know what your next steps should be.
MTA will soon offer loan forgiveness workshops.
Information from the Loan Forgiveness Program is available at https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/pslf-limited-waiver
Please be aware that in order to take advantage of the recent changes to the educator loan forgiveness program, you must apply before October 31, 2022.