Earlier this week, MCEA President Doug Prouty spoke to the Board of Education during Public Comment. Prouty presented to the Board more than 4,500 individual comments from MCEA members who had responded during September and October to MCEA's "Closest to the Work" pledge campaign. MCEA asked its members to respond to the simple question of what they believed those "closest to the work" should have more control over. The response was overwhelming. Clearly, MCEA had struck a cord. Educators throughout the system responded with thoughtful comments supporting the theme that those 'closest to the work':
1) are in the best position to make instructional decisions
2) need more time to plan and teach, and
3) should be trusted to meet high standards for all students.
Prouty's testimony also served as an opening of discussions with the Board of Education over MCEA's upcoming contract negotiations. He discussed both the factors framing our economic negotiations, as well as the critical need to address the time and workload issues confronting educators. The first formal negotiations session will be Monday November 2nd. The teams will be sending out regular bargaining updates, and there will be regular updates at MCEA's monthly Represenative Assembly. The negotiations are expected to take several months.
Prouty's comments to the Board of Education can be found by clicking on the headline above.
Tom Israel
MCEA Executive Director.
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