Lou's Letter to State Representatives

January 4, 2010


Dear Representative Koczera,

I am Louis St. John, president of the New Bedford Educators Asscociation and I represent 1200 members. I am writing to urge you to reject any and all provisions in the Act Relative to the Achievement gap (H4410) that erode educators’ collective bargaining and due process rights.

My members support innovative solutions to meet the needs of students in chronically underperforming schools. However, we strongly believe that teachers must be considered and treated as an integral part of any effective solution, not as part of the problem.

Several provisions of H4410 would make it extremely hard to attract excellent teachers to work in the schools that need them the most. Highly qualified and experienced teachers are simply not going to choose to work in schools where unilateral changes can be made in their working conditions over their objections and where dismissal procedures are ambiguous.

A bill containing these provisions would set the clock back on the tremendous progress our schools have made. Massachusetts students lead the nation as a result of the dedication and experience of the educators across the Commonwealth. There is no evidence that those educators, their unions and their contracts contribute to the problems at underperforming schools.

Teachers know what works. We are ready to work with superintendents, principals, school committees, parents – indeed, the entire community - to make sure that every school works for every student. We are asking you to stand with students and teachers and to actively support two amendments that will promote the kinds of collaboration that can effectively turn around underperforming schools.

My members consider this an extremely important vote and will be closely watching the votes of our legislators. Please contact me as soon as possible to let me know how you intend to vote on the bill and on any amendments that concern teacher collective bargaining and due process rights. I can be reached at 508-984-4441.


Best regards,


Louis St. John
New Bedford Educators Association
160 William St.
New Bedford Ma 02740