Teachers
From districts large and small, teachers are on the front lines of the education debate and AFT MA is here to offer information, advice and support so that they can all do their jobs with courage and confidence.
“Federal aid and the state’s rainy day fund are getting us through the current school year without the devastating cuts that many worried about earlier this year, but we still lack the funding necessary to operate in-person school safely. We need immediate funding for ventilation upgrades, and for preventative COVID testing that can stop a potential outbreak in its tracks,” said AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos. “As legislators begin to develop next year’s budget, they need to provide the resources to address students’ many needs, and start to repair the trauma that students have endured this year. Health and safety of course remains the number-one priority, but young people also require enhanced educational opportunities; better and more reliable Wi-Fi and devices; expanded social and emotional supports such as mental-health, guidance, and school nursing services; reliable access to no- cost healthy food and to stable housing; and so much more.”
“Now more than ever, students burdened by debt and facing a difficult job market need affordable public higher education,” she continued. “But severe budget cuts at our community colleges, state universities, and UMass campuses are leading to layoffs and furloughs when they should be offering more support to students, not less. The COVID-19 pandemic and recession have caused unprecedented trauma and disruption for students and workers in our public schools and colleges. Now more than ever, we must fully fund public education to support students and families through this crisis.”