BFT Newsletter

By now you have heard about the proposed budget cuts for next year. Many of you reached out to me and asked how this would affect negotiations. Let's clear that up first. The negotiations team knew in late fall that the district was talking budget cuts between 4-8 million dollars. The financial data is readily available to the team so we were aware of decreasing enrollment and the revenue shortfall. This has not changed what we are bargaining for. Our strategy is the same.

Also, I know it looks suspicious that the budget cuts presented happened during contract negotiations. Please know that this is the cycle of the budget every year because the board needs to take action for next year. With ESSER funds, we were able to keep our staff and support through Covid. This is why we haven't had to deal with cuts for a few years. If you have been in Bloomington awhile, you will remember many years with budget cut discussions. We call it "falling off the cliff" conversations. Please be cognizant of our recently hired colleagues that may be nervous right now. Remind them that we were still hiring teachers during workshop week last August.

The community received notification of the upcoming budget cuts. The district will be gathering information from stakeholders to see where budget cuts need to happen. All over the state, teachers are being supported by their communities. The mantra of "greedy teachers" is not holding weight. The state average as of January 2024 is 4.5% and 3.3% and continues to trend upwards.

Work actions by local unions are taking place across the state. We continue to work very hard to not bargain in public and add to your plate with organizing activities because we are making progress. That said, we will move to this if our next all day negotiations session on Tuesday, January 16 doesn't show significant progress. I know we will be ready for the next step.

Coincidentally, the day after our Tuesday bargaining session is an EdMN state-wide campaign to bring attention to teachers' worth. More details are below. Get your red t-shirt or other BFT gear ready to go.

While some locals have settled contracts this negotiations season, there are a great many more that remain unsettled. We will need to stand together in solidarity to support EVERY local in their efforts to win the contracts they and their students deserve.

Education Minnesota is organizing a "We're Worth More" Wednesday, January 17. They are asking locals around the state to wear RED, take a picture with your team or whole staff to post on the BFT Facebook and tag Education Minnesota.

Each union that participates will be entered into a drawing to win breakfast for one worksite within their district. Breakfast will be delivered by the Education Minnesota officers.

The Annual EdMn Political Conference will be here soon. Sessions will including winning school board elections, GOTV, pension advocacy and much more! Check out the sessions for this year's conference.

Register for our 2024 Political Conference February 2-3 at Radisson Blu Mall of America. EdMN is two-thirds of the way toward their goal of at least 300 participants. Everyone is encouraged to go. Ask a colleague to attend with you and make it a getaway!

The BFT will cover the Registration fee of $25, which includes hotel AND all meals. Mileage is also provided. Email Wendy Marczak after you register.

Please RSVP through the Google calendar invite you received in the BFT group email. This will help us with ordering food for the READ Act listening session with legislators. Contact Kirsten Morcomb or Jennifer Corcoran if you want more details or want to speak.

We're standing together and standing up for much-needed investment into our educator pension system. We need to let Governor Walz, Speaker Hortman, and Majority Leader Dziedzic know that it is extremely important to us that they give the LCPR a target that allows for educator pension improvements. Each building site at BPS has a Pension Contact person. Heidi Simons from Jefferson is our BFT representative that serves on the larger state committee.