Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Lou St. John's comments to Mayor Mitchell on September 16, 2013


Mr. Mayor:

Recently I heard you say that morale in New Bedford Public Schools has never been better.

I don't know where you got the information to formulate that opinion, but it certainly could not have been from the practitioners, the educators in our schools.

Tonight you will be going into executive session to strategize Bargaining sessions for Units A & B.

I'd like you to strategize this:

Unit B has not had a contract for over two years.

Morale in New Bedford Public Schools is the worst I've seen in the 29 years of my career.

Educators are reporting that they are being criticized publicly by administration.

Educators are reporting that they are becoming victims of implied threats.

Many of the goals being set by the district are unrealistic and unattainable.

Educators are being micromanaged.

Educators are being asked to do more without the proper resources and, in some cases, no resources.

Class sizes are huge.

Our contracts are being disregarded.

And you are denying every grievance that is coming before you even when the contract is crystal clear.

I respectfully request that you discuss the points that I'm bringing to you with the school committee tonight.

New Bedford educators work very hard and they certainly don't deserve to be treated in this manner.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

We know why teacher morale is at a low!! You CANNOT tell teachers that they are horrible and "the worst teachers ever" and then expect them to feel good about their jobs! She knows she is wrong for saying it and she better stop it if she honestly cares about the KIDS. You cannot berate teachers in front of their coworkers and expect them to thrive anymore than you can do that to the children they TEACH and expect them to thrive! ...... you are making them sad and guarded. We need new admin!

Anonymous said...

Ruling with an iron fist only breeds fear and contempt.

Anonymous said...

Strike! Just do it.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Lou.

Anonymous said...

That story was tame and warranted. If the mayor thinks that the ST should have ignored you--he really does not know how bad it is. Keep speaking our TRUTH!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Lou!

Anonymous said...

Thank You, Lou

Anonymous said...

“Think before you speak to teachers,” “Bullies,” and “Where is the morale of Bassett teachers?”

Anonymous said...

Lou, you the man! The Substandard-Times reaches a lot less people today. Work directly with the parents to affect changes in attitudes!

Anonymous said...

Lou, you are awesome! Thank you for all you do in support of the teachers.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Lou. Appreciate your hard work.

Anonymous said...

All of these things are true, and MORE!! What? A "dress code"?? We won that fight years ago, now we are starting this all over again??!! Do more with less, even though you have more kids than the materials given. Have "rigor" and increase test scores by 40%? Can't see that happening, even though most of us are already giving 110%!!! Thank you, Lou for speaking the truth!

Anonymous said...


Thanks Lou for all your hard work and for fighting for what's right!

Anonymous said...

Good luck tonight, Lou. You will be in thoughts and prayers.

KC

Anonymous said...

Good luck tonight, Lou. You will be in thoughts and prayers.

KC

Anonymous said...

This does not surprise me. The Superintendent said we are in good standing with the state with our district improvement plan. It is all propaganda. They only expose us to what they want us to know so they can micromanage power and control. We know they are empty words. We know it is just an invalid persona! We are on to them! Both the mayor and Durkin are full of....emptiness!

Anonymous said...

I understand everyone's frustrated, and I feel for you, but I guess I speak for those of us who got laid off; I would love to JUST be working :(
Miss NBHS, my students, my athletes, my colleagues, and the work!
Stay strong NB teachers

Anonymous said...

Wow I can not believe how easily they disregarded every word you said. Please keep at it Lou, we need you to voice our complete loss of morale and high stress! We are so in need of a leader that can listen to us as well as provide support to our classrooms. Without you speaking for us Lou I fear our teaching staff may soon be seen wondering the streets talking to ourselves and jobless

Anonymous said...

Wonderful work, Lou...as always.....and you know I appreciate it all and spread the word as MUCH as I can

Anonymous said...

NBEA Members--please remember--while Lou does a fantastic job working hard for all of us, we need to gather together and stand up for ourselves! A union is not one person...it is a group of like minded individuals all working toward the same cause...in this case, our sanity and the betterment of NBPS!!! Please be willing to make your voice heard. If enough of us stand together, we can elicit change.

Anonymous said...

great job lou :D

Anonymous said...

Great job Lou! We all need to stand with you on this.

Anonymous said...

Lou. your comments are "Spot On" as the British say, and if Mayor Mitchell thinks you are one person and not worth the S-T reporting on, let me remind him that you may be One Person, but you speak for the NBEA and our Union Brothers and Sisters!! Is someone monitoring this???

Anonymous said...

I hope our police brothers and firefighter brothers will stand behind us also and you Lou all unions behind us...