MTA representatives urge Everett leaders to support statewide action on school funding

During the public-comment portion of the Nov. 3 meeting, representatives from the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the Everett Teachers Association asked the Everett School Committee to join an advocacy push for state-level funding changes.

Randy Boudreau, who identified himself as an ETA executive-board member and MTA senate district coordinator for Suffolk and Middlesex counties, said the MTA is circulating a letter and asked the committee, superintendents, local union presidents and municipal leaders to sign on. “The MTA is asking local union presidents, superintendents, school committee members, principals, assistant principals, and municipal leaders to sign on to a letter urging the governor and the legislature to take decisive action to address school funding in the upcoming state budget,” he said.

Boudreau cited multiple drivers of fiscal stress, including technical issues with the Chapter 70 formula, high inflation and escalating costs that have strained local budgets. He said the MTA’s platform would build on prior reforms including the Student Opportunity Act and other ballot measures to seek a mix of solutions tailored to district differences.

Kim Auger, president of the Everett Teachers Association, said she appeared to support Mr. Boudreau’s presentation and thanked the committee and superintendent for a collaborative relationship and a recently negotiated contract that improved teachers’ working conditions. She also noted the committee members were on the ballot the next day.

No committee action was taken on the request during the meeting; public comment concluded with the committee closing the floor.