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Lynnfield Residents Vote Yes to Protect Town Library and Public Services (June 5, 2025)

At the June 4, 2025 Special Town Election, Lynnfield residents voted overwhelmingly for a $4.65 million override to provide the same level of services and resources currently provided to residents through the town’s library, public schools, and senior center.

Below is a statement from Lynnfield resident Katherine Decker, who is also Head of Circulation at Lynnfield Public Library and a member of the Lynnfield Library Staff Association, in response to the vote:

“With this vote, Lynnfield came together to

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Release

Massachusetts Education Labor Leaders Extend Support for Milford High School Student Gomes da Silva (June 5, 2025)

Ensuring equal opportunities and protecting the rights of all students remains a top priority for educators across the state

AFT Massachusetts, the Boston Teachers Union, and the Massachusetts Teachers Association released the following statement in response to news that federal immigration Judge Jenny Beverly has ordered Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a Milford High School student arrested last weekend by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, be released on bond:

“As educators

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Appeals Court Maintains Block on Unlawful Plans to Dismantle Department of Education (June 4, 2025)

Local educators, labor leaders, and communities behind the challenge

The First Circuit Court of Appeals today delivered another blow to President Trump’s attempt to dismantle the Department of Education, denying the government’s request for a stay that would have lifted a lower court injunction blocking mass firings and unlawful elimination of many of the Department’s crucial services.

"Today's decision reaffirmed that the White House is not above the law and we will never stop fighting to protect

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Establishing alternative pathways to support those interested in becoming educators - a long-standing priority of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts to strengthen and diversify the Commonwealth’s pipeline of educators – is now a reality.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted unanimously to establish alternative assessments to the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), creating a broader range of pathways for those aspiring to be teachers.

"This is a critical step forward to address the current teacher shortage we're facing and, more importantly, increase the diversity of our pipeline of teachers,” said AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang. “Research has shown time and time again that all students benefit from a diverse educator workforce – one that accurately reflects the wonderful diversity of our communities. As we build a stronger, more diverse pipeline, more students will be able to identify with their teachers and will be more likely to consider becoming teachers themselves. We look forward to working with the state and Legislature to continue to identify ways to make stronger, more supportive schools for all."

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Save the Lynnfield Library

“My colleagues and I love being a part of the Lynnfield community and want to be able to provide the same level of support and service to the community that we’re providing now,” said Katherine Decker, a Lynnfield resident and Head of Circulation at Lynnfield Public Library (LPL). “We are asking our neighbors and friends to vote yes to safeguard the programs and resources thousands in our community can access when they walk through our doors.”

The LPL provides programs for all ages, story-times and promotion of literacy, print and electronic materials, research assistance, technology help, book groups, as well as a place for locals to connect and engage with their community. Last year, LPL hosted nearly 400 programs with over 7,460 participants.

“Each day, the Lynnfield Public Library welcomes nearly 400 residents who can rely on us to provide their entire community with the educational, informational, cultural, and recreational opportunities they’ve come to enjoy and, in some cases, rely on,” said Patricia Kelly, who has worked at LPL for nearly three decades and is currently serving as LPL’s Head of Reference and the President of the Massachusetts Library Staff Association. “Whether it be through creating community spaces to bring people together, connecting residents with outside cultures and histories, or helping people navigate critical services through our ever-expanding digital world, we’ve worked hard to ensure the library serves as a cornerstone of the Lynnfield community.”  

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Preliminary Injunction May 2025

AFT Massachusetts along with a broad coalition of educators, school districts, nonprofits, and labor unions won a preliminary injunction today that will halt the Trump Administration’s unlawful effort to dismantle the Department of Education.

In March, the AFT Massachusetts, along with coalition members, was the first to challenge Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s massive reduction-in-force at the U.S. Department of Education. This not only gutted the department of the staff levels necessary to operate, but greatly decimated the crucial services and protections millions of students, teachers, and communities across the country rely on.

“While today’s decision will provide some relief, the damage is already being felt in our schools – by our students, especially the most vulnerable, and our educators,” said American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang. “We have the utmost confidence in the virtue and facts of our case. The White House is not above the law and we will never stop fighting on behalf of our students and our public schools and the protections, services, and resources they need to thrive.”

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“While we would have preferred a candidate with more statewide experience and have concerns about how this search process was conducted, we hope that Pedro Martinez will live up to the ideals of the Commonwealth and be the type of Commissioner our educators and students deserve.  

“If we are going to truly meet the needs of our students and communities during this tumultuous time in public education, it’s imperative that the incoming Commissioner builds consensus and elevates the voices of educators, students, and families most impacted. Our next Commissioner – especially one unfamiliar with the Massachusetts education landscape – must put in the work to do this and earn the trust of the union educators who dedicate their lives to providing for our students and advocating for the services they need and the exceptional education they deserve.”

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NEC Walk-ins April 2025

"There is no question that the challenges facing our schools and public education in general will disproportionately impact the most vulnerable students and those with the highest needs -- and those are the students we serve,” said NECEF President and Recovery High School teacher Jake Zeigler. “Across all six schools, our educators work to ensure these students have access to the services and support they need to achieve social and educational success. We are all dedicated to safeguarding the rights and needs of our students and remain steadfast in our commitment to making sure the voices and concerns of our students, their families, and our educators are heard and prioritized in the decision making process."

"Each and every day, our paraprofessionals go above and beyond for their students, but most of us don't make a living wage. We're forced to choose between a job we love where we can support students in need and making ends meet. Paras shouldn't be forced to work multiple jobs just to put food on the table,” said Ketty Thebaud, Vice President of the NEC Paraprofessionals and an Instructional Assistant at the Kevin O’Grady School. “We truly care for these kids and are invested in providing them the support to reach their full potential. We wouldn't want it any other way. We hope that, moving forward, we will be seen and recognized for our value and provided with a living wage and benefits that accurately reflect the role we play in the success of our students."

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AFT MA Stands With Sec. Tutwiler

AFT Massachusetts Stands with Healey Administration Response to Latest Attacks on Public Education from the White House, Federal government issues threats to rescind hundreds of millions in funding used to support low-income students (April 9, 2025).

AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang released the following statement in support of the letter sent by Massachusetts Secretary of Education and Interim Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Patrick Tutwiler today in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s recent memo threatening to withdraw billions of dollars in Title I

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AFT Massachusetts Slams White House for Holding the Neediest Students Hostage in Attempt to Take Over Local School Oversight (April 3, 2025).

AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang released the following statement in response to a memo from the U.S. Department of Education threatening to withdraw billions of dollars in Title I support for low-income students if school districts fail to enact the White House’s divisive policy agenda:

“Holding hostage funding that supports our poorest, neediest children to coerce schools into letting the federal government supersede local authority on curriculum

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