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The shocking decision of the Department to move the KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School’s expansion plan forward to the Board for a vote completely disregards the very clear, long-standing state regulations governing charter school expansion.

Not only will this have grave implications for our students, families, and schools in Lynn, it sets a very dangerous precedent going forward.

In order for their plan to be considered, KIPP Academy must meet the threshold of a proven provider with proficiency rates similar to state averages for a three year period, across all grades. According to the Department’s own data, KIPP not only does not meet these requirements, proficiency among KIPP students is significantly lower than state averages, especially in English Language Arts and Science. 

AFT Leading the Charge for Access to R+ (Teachers Alternative Retirement Plan)

For decades, AFT Massachusetts and member locals - including the Boston Teachers Union – have helped members navigate their benefits systems, which can be complex.  Whether it be through advocacy, education, or resources, the AFT Massachusetts has been on the frontline of an issue impacting thousands of teachers across the Commonwealth – the Massachusetts Teachers Alternative Retirement Plan, or Retirement Plus.

After working on this for years, we were thrilled when the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation we had been advocating for at the end of last session. Unfortunately, it was not taken up by the Senate in time.

We will be kicking off our advocacy for this legislative session with a Retirement Plus Lobby Day on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. The lobby day is in partnership with the BTU, MTA and the R+ Committee, and will provide members an opportunity to speak directly with legislators about the importance of legislation providing a Second Chance at Retirement Plus.

For decades, the AFT Massachusetts and member locals - including the Boston Teachers Union – have helped members navigate their benefits systems, which can be complex. Whether it be through advocacy, education, or resources, the AFT Massachusetts has been on the frontline of an issue impacting thousands of teachers across the Commonwealth – the Massachusetts Teachers Alternative Retirement Plan, or Retirement Plus.

In 2001, Massachusetts introduced Teachers' Alternate Retirement Plan (TARP) or Retirement Plus, an enhanced retirement option for teachers, school nurses, related service providers and other educators with a deduction rate of 11%. All educators hired after July 1, 2001 were automatically enrolled in the new program, but current educators had only 6 months to opt in. A complicated process and confusing branding meant that many educators didn’t properly enroll, or thought they were enrolled when they really weren’t.

We wholeheartedly condemn President Trump's agenda and the xenophobic and racist rhetoric being used to stoke fear and division throughout our nation.

As educators, we are focused on justice and equal opportunities for all students. We know firsthand that children cannot learn if they don't feel safe. These threats take an emotional, psychological, and physical toll on our children and their families. If continued, they will have a chilling effect on our schools and communities.

All children have a right to an education, no matter their immigration status. That right is protected by the U.S. Constitution and federal law prohibits anyone from attempting to restrict a child's access to that education. Educators across the state and nation are ready to stand up and defend the rights and safety of their students.

Any freeze on federal funding our schools rely on will likely have catastrophic impacts on our ability to provide a quality public education to all. The threat alone has already created further instability and uncertainty for our schools, our students, and their families. 

Programs across all levels of education will be impacted – from those that ensure homeless students have access to school to special education services to work-study programs for low-income college students. Beyond programming, there are grant-funded jobs on the line. These jobs in pre-k through higher education are critical for local working families – including AFT Massachusetts members – and will vanish when the funds do. 

Governor Healey’s budget reinforces her Administration’s commitment to making a more equitable Commonwealth – one where all residents can access affordable housing, reliable transportation, healthcare, and high-quality public schools.

States are facing unprecedented cuts to federal investment and critical programming. President Trump’s talk of helping working families was clearly nothing more than campaign rhetoric. The rich will get richer over the next four years, further widening the equality gap plaguing our nation.

That makes it even more critical that we have a state budget and agenda that comprehensively reflects the vision we have for Massachusetts. This is a good first step in that work, but we can and should lead in the resistance to the Trump Administration’s dangerous, divisive agenda.

This Saturday, January 25, voters in nine South Shore communities have the opportunity to support a new facility and expansion of South Shore Technical School (SST), which has been providing students and adults throughout the area with the skills to be successful members of the local workforce and regional economy for over six decades.

The vote - taking place in Abington, Cohasset, Hanover, Hanson, Marshfield, Norwell, Rockland, Scituate, and Whitman – will allow the SST School Committee to move forward with plans for a new facility, leveraging $110 million in state funding through the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

“Since they opened their doors, South Shore Tech has lived up to its mission of giving students the skills and support to fulfill their personal goals, bring them economic independence, and help establish themselves as impactful members of their community,” said American Federation of Teachers President Jessica Tang. “SST is an integral part of the local community and regional economy that needs a long-overdue overhaul of its facilities in order to remain a successful and thoughtful leader in vocational education.”

The Commonwealth’s ability to lead and thrive relies on a fully-funded, equitable, and high-quality public education system - from early childhood to post-secondary. We share Governor Healey’s vision of a Commonwealth where we continue to lead in quality education and healthcare while making homes more affordable and transportation more reliable and accessible.

If we are serious about having an economy that works for everyone and eradicating the systemic injustices of our society – we must start with our public schools. Educators and our classrooms open doors for economic opportunity and are critical spaces to foster inclusivity and tolerance. We applaud the Governor for her commitment to supporting behavioral and mental health as we strive to ensure all of our schools are safe and welcoming.

The accomplishments of the last few years – from increasing educator diversity efforts and pipelines into teaching to making community college free for all residents of Massachusetts to providing all children in the state’s public schools with free lunch - have been critical steps forward to ensuring equal opportunities for all students and their families.

After labor leaders across the nation have fought for decades to eliminate two provisions that unfairly penalize thousands of public sector retirees, including many in Massachusetts, President Joseph Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law on January 5. The Act eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provisions of the Social Security law – which both unfairly penalize thousands of public sector retirees in Massachusetts, including school teachers.

“No one who pays into the Social Security system should see the benefits they’ve earned cut or eliminated – especially those who dedicated their careers to public service,” said American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang, who was present at the bill signing . “In addition to fair wages, reasonable benefits and safe working conditions, everyone deserves a secure and dignified retirement and we are pleased to say that after years of advocacy, our collective efforts paid off to ensure all workers have access to these benefits.”

On December 21, 2024, the U.S. Senate passed the Social Security Fairness Act to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provisions of the Social Security law – which both unfairly penalize thousands of public sector retirees in Massachusetts, including school teachers. 

“No one who pays into the Social Security system should see the benefits they’ve earned cut or eliminated – especially those who dedicated their careers to public service,” said American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang. “In addition to fair wages, reasonable benefits and safe working conditions, everyone deserves a secure and dignified retirement and we are pleased to say that after years of advocacy, our collective efforts paid off to ensure all workers have access to these benefits.”