January 14, 2010
Dear Members,
The NBEA Board of Directors met yesterday afternoon with Mayor Lang in an emergency meeting to discuss his request that we reconsider our participation in the Race To the Top Grant.
In our last Race To the Top update, we stated that we would not sign the Memorandum of Understanding if it compromised our core principles.
Today, we are pleased to report that we have the written assurances that we needed to protect our members’ collective bargaining rights.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) we signed clearly states: “Nothing in this MOU shall be construed to override any rights or duties as provided by collective bargaining law or collective bargaining agreements.”
In addition to that protection in the MOU, Mayor Lang and I signed an additional document, The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which states: “The execution of the MOU and the submission of the Application or Work Plan by the Committee, the Association and the Superintendent are not binding upon the parties and any party at any time may withdraw from the RTTT process.”
In closing, participation in the Grant could mean millions of dollars in funds to the New Bedford Public Schools over the next four years; we did not compromise our core principles, we have obtained the written assurances ensuring our members’ collective bargaining rights, and we have the ability to withdraw from this process at any time.
Sincerely,
Louis St. John
2 comments:
Who will decide where the $ goes?
Will this be another underfunded mandate? More work even after this "windfall" is spent? I am not impressed with the estimate of $840,000.00 per year. If the NBEA has little impact on how the money is used, I stand firm with a NO on Race TO The Top.
Unfortunately, the Ed reform bill blows this away!
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