Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Letter to the membership regarding the vote of no confidence

Dear Member,
 
As reported in the local paper, on Friday hundreds of members attended the general meeting to voice their concerns over the unhealthy climate that now exists within our schools. 

At the meeting, members called for a vote to determine whether or not the body had confidence in Dr. Durkin. The vast majority of the members present voted that they did not. However, the membership agreed that those who were not able to attend the meeting should also have a chance to vote before a final result is announced publicly. 
 
Therefore, any members who were not in attendance at the meeting may cast their votes at the NBEA office at 160 William Street on Monday, May 5, Tuesday, May 6 or Wednesday, May 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 
When you arrive at the office, you will be given a copy of the full “no confidence motion” and will cast your vote by secret ballot. We urge as many members as possible to come to the office to vote.
 
A “no confidence” vote is a symbolic action that has no legal impact. However, it is an important symbolic act not to be taken lightly. It is an expression that the membership of an organization does not believe that the leader is moving the organization – in this case our school district – in the right direction. If that is what you believe, it is important to let the superintendent, school committee and community at large know that.
 
If you disagree, then you should cast your vote against the motion.
 
At Friday’s meeting a plan was discussed about holding a press conference on Thursday to release the outcome of the vote. However, after the meeting numerous members made it clear that they would not feel comfortable participating in a conference where they would be videotaped. The fear of retaliation is too high. Therefore, we have decided not to hold a press conference but instead President St. John will make the formal announcement.
 
We urge everyone in Unit A who was not in attendance at the meeting to vote.
 
Actions of this kind are more effective if a large percentage of the members participate. Let your voices be heard. This is about your job, your working conditions and the atmosphere in the schools where our students learn. Your union is asking you to act.
 
In unity there is strength.
 
Very Truly Yours,
 
NBEA Board of Directors

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

I do not feel as though we should have to go down to the NBEA office to cast a vote of no confidence. This should be done through our union reps in the school building. I do not feel comfortable going to the office to cast my vote.

Anonymous said...

^ If that is the case, you should have been at the meeting, so stop making excuses for not doing what you should have done on Friday.

Anonymous said...

To members who are "afraid" to cast their vote at the office: You can come in disguise. I'm going to be dressed as Jon Mitchell.

Anonymous said...

Is this a threat now? Where will the no confidence vote get us? Is it guarenteed dismissal of Dr. Durkin? the comments are not necessary, act like the adult you claim to be.

Anonymous said...

The vote of no confidence is not made lightly. It is a very unified and public declaration that there are not just a few isolated incidences involving whiny people. The whole district is being negatively impacted on multiple levels, in a variety of ways. It is no longer a healthy place for children or adults. It will take all of us to stand together and give each other courage to make the changes that need to happen. It can be very intimidating to stand alone and sing a solo, but if we form a choir every voice can be heard. If we all sing the same song, there will be nothing more powerful. We all love our students and want to do the job without medication.

Anonymous said...

People can go down to cast their votes in favor or against the motion. So just being at the NB educators association is not a sign of guilt.

Anonymous said...

It is symbolic, carries weight, and goes to a committee for further review. This will hopefully lead to her dismissal.

Anonymous said...

It's time to act as a brotherhood. The police and firefighters not only practice it, they live it. It is time for NB Educators to follow their lead. It should be a non-negotiable. To join the Teacher's Union is to join its brotherhood.

If you were not at the meeting on Friday it is your obligation, yes obligation to represent yourself in the brotherhood of the NBEA and vote this Tuesday or Wednesday at the NBEA office. Your vote matters. There is no one telling you how to vote, you just need to vote. You must understand that not voting is in fact voting whether you realize it or not. When you actually vote your intentions are clear and concise. It's simple; vote confidence, no confidence, or abstain. Its your choice.

For those Educators that live in fear, and believe the gremlins will be watching, you need to be brave and cast your vote. And for those of you who continue to pretend or dismiss your participation on this year's on-goings, you need to think of your students, and the brotherhood of teachers that are trying everyday to make a positive difference in the lives of families in NB. Break free of the cage that you believe you are living in and cast your vote.

Voting is serious business in any sense. Look at the turnout year to year in our city and look at the election results. Unhappiness with the elected mayor and school committee is not by chance, it's a consensus . Only votes count as a means to an end.

There is no excuse not to take the ten minute to drive downtown from any school and let your voice be heard through the simple democratic process that has been the backbone of our existence. Vote.

Anonymous said...

Take back what is yours; your DIGNITY!

Anonymous said...

Go vote!

Anonymous said...

As I said before, we are not a cohesive bunch! Read the banter above! We are not as STRONG as the police, firefighters,' and steel workers' unions!

Anonymous said...

Many comments point out administrative or systemic practices that are damaging to job satisfaction. Many teachers feel disrespected by their administrations. Others state they are working in a climate of fear. Assaults and micromanagement were recurrent themes. It is a call for change.

Anonymous said...

I highly encourage everyone to vote. If you are not willing to stand up for yourself, no one else is going to do it for you!! Isn't that what we tell our students? It is time to take our own advice.

It is time for everyone to STAND STRONG, TALL, and UNITED.

If you think you are safe this year by not doing anything, think again as the rug could be pulled out from under you at the end of the year or next year. This is just the beginning.

Anonymous said...

The nbea office is a safer place then having it done with a union rep who might be a pia spy

Anonymous said...

She's evil...

Anonymous said...

What the heck do we need her for next year? She has hired so many admins the tiniest high school class in decades should be fine.

More money and less students GREAT TURNAROUND PLAN!

I hope the City Council cries foul. All the elementary kids get is a new reading textbook-seriously?

Anonymous said...

I've bitten my tongue for a long time, but there is something I want to make clear:
We have a teacher on the restructuring committee who has taken it upon himself to report to administration who he deems fit as teachers. He thinks he's a know-it-all and gave himself a prime schedule. He had five positions in different districts in five years before NBHS, and when he doesn't get his way, stamps his feet and has a tantrum. Where is the professionalism and respect for colleagues?

Anonymous said...

A new Reading Series directly related to the Common Core! Wait more destruction on it's way to a school near you. Teachers you need to be UNITED in your efforts NOW! Stop this nonsense of being afraid someone will see you, because believe me when you want the support for yourself, it won't be there! Stand Strong and United!

Anonymous said...

Can someone please answer the question of where is the MTA? There was a representative at the union meeting taking notes and pictures but really where are they? Why arent they jumping to our support and sending lawyers to fight what Durkin is doing in this district? Why is our contract not being followed? It does not say anywhere in our contract that if we are labeled a level 4 school that our contract is null and void. A contract is a contract. Why are we not fighting with our own top union contract lawyers? My view on what is happening is that New Bedford is going to be labeled a level 4 district and the contracts for everyone will be null and void!!!Durkin will be allowed to hire and fire at will. That's what she wants and she is slowing getting what she wants. It is the writing on the wall. WHY IS THE MTA NOT HELPING US?????? I dont understand what we pay them for. What Standard Times fails to understand, or chooses not to, is that teachers are not going to write in to them and report out what is happening. They are afraid of retaliation from Durkin, and principals. Steve Urbon is suppose to be a reporter and reporters investigate. INVESTIGATE STEVE URBON. Do your job, but do it the right way and investigate what is REALLY going on in the district. Dont make your friends happy and look the other way and say Durkin is doing a great job. How about investigating the latest ASSAULT on a teacher at the High School? It wasn't just a slip, it was a hair pulling and dragging ASSAULT. If you dont want to report the news the correct way, dont call yourself a reporter.
The School committee just passed the budget and businesses and others are saying WOW DURKIN IS DOING A GREAT JOB!! Really? Are you all blind? Dumb? She put in for a higher budget and its all to help THE STUDENTS? Really? Well what did the students of New Bedford get out of it? A reading series. That's it!! Oh and longer school days!! My bad. What did she get out of it? 3 more administrators with salaries of over 100,000 dollars!!! Did the schools get any computers? NOPE. How many working computers are at the high school? How many are up to date? But let's hire 3 more administrators? Mike Shea came in and got rid of some top administrators because we were top heavy. Durkin came in and hired like 6 more!! If we were top heavy a year ago, we are not able to stand up at this point.
Did we get any other resources for the students? NOPE. We got more administrators!! How is that going to help the district? STEVE URBON BE A REPORTER AND INVESTIGATE!!!

Anonymous said...

We need more teachers not more useless positions in administration. She expects the teachers to do it all with NO HELP, why can't Pia practice what she preaches!

Anonymous said...

You should be done counting the votes. I doubt a recount will be needed.

Anonymous said...

I agree that many new administrative positions have been added however many have left and will leave by July. Azar, Daly, carrigo, and Bradshaw are gone or will be gone by years end.

Anonymous said...

Are they leaving because they cannot stand Pia Durkin or were they fired or pushed out? There is a clear distinction between these options.

Anonymous said...

I'd pick a George W. Bush costume over a Jon Mitchell one. He's too creepy with those shady eyes.

Anonymous said...

And, Durkin fills those positions with her own cronies at a higher salary. Bobble heads nod in agreement.

Anonymous said...

You want respect? Earn it!

Anonymous said...

From a clinical perspective, turncoats do not have inner happiness, peace, or pride, but rather turmoil. Where is the strong sense of accomplishment in that?

Anonymous said...

Why would someone, say like Jon Mitchell or a Pia supporter ask if the vote of no confidence is a guarantee? It is a rhetorical question used to goad. Not working here. The grammatical errors seem intentional as does the comment about top-level admin positions. Appears to be an inside ploy.