May-June-2020-Advisor

FUNDING

8 CEA ADVISOR MAY-JUNE 2020

CEA Helps Local Associations Fight for Fair Budgets EAST GRANBY TEACHERS SUCCESSFULLY ORGANIZE COMMUNITY IN SUPPORT OF CONTRACT During stressful times such as these, it is ever more important to celebrate the bright spots—and East Granby teachers have had just such a moment. After a four-hour special town meeting held via Zoom, residents voted 181-21 to uphold the East Granby Education Association contract. “It was one of the high points of my 25 years teaching in this town,” says local president Kevin Iapichino-Dorr. “So many residents spoke up in support of teachers. It was the voice of East Granby saying that in this town, we’re really valued.” The meeting was necessary because, after the EGEA negotiated a modest contract in good faith with the Board of Education, some town leaders wanted to go back on the agreement, using this time of economic uncertainty as justification. The Board of Selectmen voted to let the community have their say and vote on the contract. The EGEA leapt into action, organizing members and parents to turn out for the vote. Only 17 East Granby teachers live in town, but many teachers who work in other towns reside there. The EGEA reached out to this group of 100 CEA members through emails, phone calls, and text messages. In an email to CEA members, Iapichino-Dorr reminded his fellow teachers that they are critical workers, keeping students learning and engaged during school closures. Concessions would have been premature at this point, given that the full impact of the pandemic and the resulting needs of the town are unknown. Many CEA members living in East Granby turned out for the Zoom town meeting, as did dozens of parents and East Granby Public School alumni. Nearly 30 people spoke, the vast majority in favor of upholding East Granby’s teacher contracts—giving eloquent arguments as to why the town should offer its support. It was a historic night for the small town. With more than 220 devices connected to the Zoom meeting, representing an estimated 300 residents, the virtual town meeting was the largest anyone in East Granby can remember. As local president, Iapichino-Dorr frequently receives support from his CEA UniServ Rep, but until the coordinated push for the contract vote, he says, “I really didn’t understand all that CEA does for us behind the scenes.” East Granby teachers worked with UniServ Rep Suzanne Haviland, Organizer Brendan Murphy, and Political Engagement Coordinator Gus Melita, joined by CEA’s organizer team to mobilize members. “We’ve never had to do anything like this before in East Granby, so I didn’t know what to expect, but I have a renewed appreciation for what it means to be a CEA member,” Iapichino-Dorr says. “As we look to the future, there are a lot of unknowns, but I feel uplifted that East Granby teachers received such strong community support.”

Pandemic, economic uncertainty pose new challenges In cities and towns around the state, budgets are currently being decided, and many of those decisions could have a negative impact on schools. Though town leaders are understandably concerned about the economic impacts of the pandemic, CEA has stressed that schools are not the place to make cuts. Whether they are back in their classrooms, continuing with remote instruction, or engaged in blended learning, students and teachers will need more resources than ever as they transition back in the fall. From Avon to Ashford, Torrington to Tolland, CEA is working on the ground with dozens of local teachers’ unions to ensure that budget discussions include educators’ voices and that budget decisions do not undermine public education. CEA representatives have coordinated phone banks, emails, texts, car caravans, and other activities to mobilize members and gain community support. Here are a few of their success stories.

AFTER SWIFT PUSHBACK, FARMINGTON BACKS OFF ON TEACHER CONCESSIONS Organizing can be more difficult

dedicated teachers in Farmington and across the state, not to mention the students who need them now more than ever.” Farmington teacher and lifelong resident Jaimee Johnson tried unsuccessfully to join the meeting to participate in public comment. “The town did not give a voice to its residents,” he says. “The Farmington Board of Education failed its residents and undermined the entire process, which is supposed to be transparent.” “We know that these are unprecedented times, but the town must allow the public to participate in public meetings and ensure all voices are heard,” McNamara adds. “The Board of Education was hearing public comments on the school budget, and that impacts all of us, but especially our students and teachers. To be denied a voice in the process violates the governor’s executive orders as well as our constitutional rights.” Swift action CEA UniServ Rep Justin Zartman immediately contacted the Farmington Board of Education, letting them know that CEA intended to pursue a formal complaint over the violation of state law. CEA requested all materials related to the meeting and correspondence between the superintendent and the members of the Farmington Board of Education and Town Council. FEA members also sent texts and emails out to education supporters asking them to let the Town Council know they do not support cuts to education. Close to 100 written comments were submitted ahead of the Town Council meeting, and three out of four residents who spoke during the meeting spoke in support of the education budget. After hearing the outpouring of support for teachers, the Town Council issued an apology and achieved a budget with a zero-percent tax increase through cuts elsewhere, attrition, and delays to capital projects. The town also remedied the issue of caps on virtual meetings. Everyone who wanted to attend was able to join the subsequent Town Council meeting, and the Board of Education agreed to void any actions taken at the earlier meeting, where public participation was largely cut off. McNamara thanked Zartman, CEA Organizer Brendan Murphy, CEA Political Engagement Coordinator Gus Melita, CEA’s Communications Department, and FEA and CEA members for their quick action and unified voice. “There will be no layoffs or freezes for teachers this year, because we are true partners who look out for one another,” McNamara told members. “We are so proud to be a part of this tremendous organization. We are strongest when we stand together.”

when members can’t meet face-to-face with each other or with town officials, but that hasn’t stopped teachers around the state from banding together. Farmington Education Association members are a recent example of what’s possible when teachers stand united. Thanks to those teachers—and the community of parents and residents who support them—the Town Council gave up pursuing concessions for next year and agreed to greater transparency in its public meetings. Shut out After FEA negotiated a new contract last fall, the town came asking for concessions in order to guarantee a zero-percent tax increase for the coming fiscal year. FEA leaders, Farmington and asked them to speak out against the proposal at a virtual Board of Education meeting scheduled for May 4. Well over 200 people attempted to attend the meeting; however, most were prevented from doing so. In violation of a state order requiring transparency and allowing public participation during the coronavirus pandemic, the meeting was capped at 100 participants. (Governor Lamont issued Executive Order No. 7B, which requires all public meetings held by municipalities to allow public access in real time by telephone, video, or other technology.) “We need to ensure that public meetings are held in the rays of sunshine, not the secrecy of shadows,” says CEA President Jeff Leake. “The governor issued an executive order to ensure town governments continue to operate while protecting the health and safety of all our residents. Those orders must be followed. Towns must not violate the public’s right to transparency or participation in the process.” Farmington resident and West Hartford teacher Theresa McKeown was one of those denied a voice at the meeting. “I was disappointed,” she says, “because I was denied access to an important public meeting and unable to share my views.” FEA President James McNamara was able to share his concerns about the harmful impact that potential cuts would have on students and teachers—but was then dropped from the meeting. “I was unable to listen to the remainder of the public comment portion of the meeting,” he recalls. “Dozens of Farmington educators who worked tirelessly and trained in new distance learning platforms to keep students engaged during the crisis were unable to speak out. They contacted me to express their concern. To have our voices squelched like this is disrespectful to all the amazing, with the support of CEA staff, contacted all teachers living in

Stamford teachers made their voices heard at town meetings, car caravans, and more—condemning a $15 million cut to the city’s education budget.