I was going to try to write an articulate piece about why cutting student weights for our teens and special needs children is an immoral way to balance the BPS budget, but honestly I'm so sick of playing this game. When you listen to Mayor Walsh speak about the BPS budget, there is one thing he always says again and again: After the new contract is signed with the BTU he will make more money available for Boston Public Schools. He never says there is not enough money to fully fund BPS. This budget standoff is not just about finding efficiencies with Boston Public Schools; this standoff is about the Mayor getting his way in collective bargaining negotiations. It is an interesting coincidence that Sam Tyler’s BMRB report from last week indicates that there is $13 million in excessed teachers while we are facing $13 million in cuts on the school level.
The Mayor is playing political poker and our children are his bargaining chips. The last BTU contract for 2010 - 2016 was signed 2 and half years late in September 2012. The Mayor should not be forcing this contract through and withholding money from our schools until it’s signed. The last time he rushed into an agreement with the BTU, we were forced to roll out Extended Learning Time before anyone in BPS had a chance to evaluate the necessary transportation implications and before BPS was able to put in proper supports for teachers and schools.
Furthermore, the City of Boston HAS a robust collective bargaining reserve to pay for raises related to contracts. The $13.5 million that the Mayor gave this year does not take into account the estimated $21 million dollar increases associated with this year’s contract increases.
While the adults continue to fight, our schools are being deliberately underfunded. The cuts are real, the layoffs are real, and the time and angst over all of this for students and parents is real.
Please, Mayor Walsh, fully fund our schools. Enough is enough.
