NBEA's Response to UIA

September 8, 2011


Jack Livramento, UIA Board President
Our Lady of the Assumption, New Bedford

Marian (Toosie) Margolis, Treasurer
United Parish Church of Christ, Fall River

Rev. Donald Mier, UIA Board Secretary
First Baptist Church, Fall River

Sr. Marianna Sylvester, UIA Board
Our Lady of the Assumption, New Bedford

Dear Members of the UIA Board:

This is to inform you that the New Bedford Educators Association has received your letter dated August 18, 2011.

Unfortunately, your letter does not address our request and does nothing to dispel the mixed messages UIA sends the NBEA.

Your letter states that “UIA strongly believes in the rights of teachers to collectively bargain, and supports the work of the NBEA.” However, your actions suggest otherwise. The meeting of July 20, 2011, in which the most recent negative comments were made, was an official UIA event. Jack Livramento, UIA Board President, and Sr. Marianna Sylvester, UIA Board member, were present, as were other UIA members and supporters. Had UIA not agreed with the statements made by its members and/or supporters, that should have been clearly reflected in the notes. Instead, those notes were disseminated by your organizer, Elizabeth Aeschlimann, on July 22, 2011, as is. We understand that you regret the email was made public, but there is no apology for the remarks or an acceptance of responsibility for the statements made during the meeting.

Another area of concern is that you continue to be a member of an organization which publicly attacks New Bedford educators. Also, as stated in the notes of the aforementioned meeting, Carolee Matsumoto is actively participating in UIA activities. Matsumoto is perhaps the most outspoken critic of teachers, the New Bedford Public Schools and the New Bedford Educators Association. Her statements (below) are an insult to the hard-working educators of the New Bedford Public Schools. We fail to understand how UIA leadership claims to support teachers and collective bargaining, yet maintains ties to an anti-teacher/anti-union organization and Carolee Matsumoto.

In closing, the NBEA Board of Directors places a high priority on working for school improvement efforts that are good for students and fair to educators. As always, NBEA listens to the concerns of our community. We welcome the opportunity to listen to UIA’s ideas when your group is willing to publicly denounce comments and policy proposals that treat New Bedford educators and their union as the source of the problem instead of part of the solution.


Sincerely,

NBEA Board of Directors



Statements made by Carolee Matsumoto

Standard Times, August 14, 2010 - Carolee S. Matsumoto:

“As a longtime educator and friend to teachers, I write this to officially lodge my dismay and disgust at the shortsighted, selfish, and unprofessional positions and actions of New Bedford Educators Association President Lou St. John and other NBEA union ‘leaders.’ No, I am not just reacting to the recent “vote” they bullied the teachers into, but it is their perpetuation of practices and positions that have not (ever) and will not serve our students, never mind the teachers.”

“Let's be frank! The current New Bedford education system is not succeeding as it should be despite the efforts of (some) teachers and administrators.”

“Why are so many of our students not achieving the education they deserve and could get if deep, systemic changes were made? Why should only some students, teachers, administrators, parents or politicos be allowed favors and privileges? Who is controlling the status quo with the sacrifice of true change and improvement?”

“Although there exist many people and pockets of excellence in the New Bedford schools, there also exists the power infrastructure of the loyal “old boys” who, through patronage, family relationships and unions, have protected people, practices and positions that continue obsolete thinking and hold back innovation, change and efficiencies. (I have a list.)”

“Attempts to make changes are confronted with the culture of silence and retribution that protects the incompetent (jobs), blames the victims (kids/parents), and kills off innovation and any actions that threaten to disturb the status quo of power, turf, and privileges/rewards for the empowered.”

“It is not surprising that teacher unions across the United States are suffering a backlash against their navel-gazing practices.”

“The NBEA needs to elevate its thinking and to answer the question that its national NEA organization did recently: “Does NEA stand for National ‘Education’ Association or National ‘Educators’ Association?” As the local union negotiates its contract in the coming months, I am hopeful that NBEA will change its name as well as its positions to demonstrate its willingness to be a partner in doing whatever it takes to improve learning for all.”




Standard Times, February 24, 2011 - Carolee Matsumoto:

“In New Bedford, where the current teachers’ contract expires June 30 and is being renegotiated, the time is ripe to consider changes that are in the best interests of New Bedford Public School students. If its education is ever to rise above mediocrity, or worse, New Bedford has to pay specific attention to the teachers’ union contract provisions that have historically prevented change and supported obstructionist behaviors against any attempts to focus on what is best for our students.”

“The union contract contains several areas that deserve scrutiny, with the most critical area for renegotiation being the NBEA seniority and tenure agreements.”

“It is no secret that there are teachers who should not be in our classrooms. Dennis Winn, former assistant superintendent and principal, described the situation: "Teachers with the most seniority have the right to bid into any open positions within their certification areas regardless of merit or goodness of fit. While most teachers are hardworking, conscientious, and effective; the least competent teachers use this ridiculous 'right' to move from school to school; thus avoiding principals willing to evaluate their incompetence." This has been referred to as the "Dance of the Lemons."

“The possibility of a well-qualified teacher for every student is further derailed by the adherence to the seniority rule when teacher cuts are necessary. Those with most seniority keep their jobs, and those with less experience are cut regardless of their skills and capability.”


“The Education Roundtable hopes that in the negotiations between the School Committee and the New Bedford Educators Association, the goal of putting students first will dominate. These negotiations, so often conducted behind closed doors, should consider the concerns and aspirations of students, parents and all who have a stake in public education in New Bedford. Results of the current system prove business as usual is unacceptable. Students need good teachers who are properly rewarded. Students are harmed by poor or indifferent teachers who must find different careers. The contract must encourage both of these outcomes. The Education Roundtable is on board and will continue to use the spotlight, leverage, and support that this community group proffers to make a difference for our students.”