It is widely acknowledged that there will be funding available for additional pay increases. To increase the pay raise, the Legislature would have to vote to return the MFP to BESE so that BESE can amend it. BESE has already agreed to the increase, so the decision rests with the Legislature, and some are already pushing back against further increases, claiming there isn’t enough money to go around. Meanwhile, the legislature has taken up a number of bills that limit or redirect funding that could otherwise be used for our public schools... MORE

In an effort to address the decade-old teacher shortage, numerous bills aimed at enticing retired teachers back to the classroom have been filed. While these bills are getting a lot of attention right now because of the teacher shortage, RTW laws have impacted TRSL since 1957. Over the years, some of these bills have been so extreme that they threatened the long-term financial stability of TRSL. Currently, there are a few options that are modest in their reach and unlikely to cause damage to the system. They may even encourage a few teachers to come out of retirement and return to the classroom in the short term, but they offer no solution to the crippling teacher shortage that is currently plaguing our schools. Over the last few months, BESE members, legislators, and other officials have touted the idea of retirees returning to the classroom as a solution to the teacher shortage. In truth, the number of retired teachers who chose to return to the classroom has decreased dramatically over the last ten years. MORE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE At the United Teachers of New Orleans General Membership Meeting on April 13th,  members chose new and returning leaders for its executive council. Dave Cash was selected UTNO President. He will be the thirteenth president of AFT Local 527 since it was chartered in 1937. “I’m excited to serve teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff in New Orleans schools,” Cash said. “UTNO has a long history of fighting for and winning more democracy in our workplaces. We know that when teachers are at the table, students benefit.” Cash has previously served as Executive Vice President (2020-2022) and Recording Secretary (2008-2020). He will continue to work as a classroom teacher at Rooted School while serving as UTNO president. MORE

January 9, 2022 The increasing spread of COVID-19 in New Orleans is worrying. Each day, the city is breaking the previous day’s record for COVID-19 cases, hospitalization rates have doubled, and over 30% of people in New Orleans who get a COVID-19 test are currently testing positive. MORE

Orleans Parish: Clerk - 2nd City Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lisa Ray Diggs Jefferson Parish (City of Kenner): Mayor....................................................... Michael Glaser (dual)                                                                Ben Zahn (dual) Chief of Police......................................... Keith Conley Councilmember District 2...................... Ronnie Sharwath Councilmember District 3...................... Joey LaHatte, III Councilmember District 5...................... Brian Brennan MORE

✔️ HB 510: Ending the Onslaught of Trainings ✔️ HB 363: Teacher Voice in SLTs ✔️ HB 98: Amended ✔️ SB 151: Preserving Local Control of ITEP ✔️ HB 819: Extending Maternal Health Leave to All Employees ❌ HB 986: Privatizing Food Services in Schools ❌ SB 145: Eliminating Local Input in Corporate Charter Schools ➡️ Six Opportunities to TAKE ACTION MORE