Detroit Federation of Teachers

Election Committee is Sworn In

Four Election Committee members were sworn in at the April General Membership Meeting. Serving a two year term will be Onza Stokes, Laura Watts, Devette Brown and Julia Hunko. We thank these members for their service to the members of the DFT. Executive Vice President, Jason Posey, looks on. Be sure to say hello to Election Committee when you sign in at the May General Membership meeting.

Marcus Garvey students watch solar eclipse

Marcus Garvey Students Watching the Eclipse

The solar eclipse came at the end of the school day, just in time for these Marcus Garvey students to put on their special glasses and mask to watch as the moon passed over the sun. Students across the city were doing the same. It was an astronomical event for all of us!

Posey, Wilson-Lumpkins, Weiss, Martin at town hall

DFT Leadership Participates in Town Hall Meeting

At a town hall hosted by State Representative, Regina Weiss, three of our leaders attended the forum: DFT Executive Vice President, Jason Posey, DFT President, Lakia Wilson-Lunmpkins, and AFT Michigan President, Terrence Martin. Many union members were in attendance to listen to the information.

US Senate Candidate Addresses the Membership

.A candidate for the US Senate from Michigan, Hil Harper, came before the DFT General Membership meeting in April to ask for an endorsement by the union. He spoke to members about his support for unions, being a card-carrying member of one himself, as well as the reasons he would like our support in the upcoming August primary. The union will be hosting other candidates who are also seeking our endorsements.

Fighting for Freedom

AFT Michigan President David Hecker and DFT President Ivy Bailey attended the annual Detroit branch NAACP Fight for Freedom Dinner held on April 23 at Cobo Convention Center in downtown Detroit.

The keynote speaker was U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts.

Focus on resources in Detroit schools' new start: Detroit Free Press guest column by Ivy Bailey - April 21

If we are serious about improving public education for all children, we should invest in their schools and their educators. That’s why it is essential that we take a critical look at the resources we have available and how those resources are being allocated.

READ ENTIRE COLUMN http://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2017/04/20/detroit-schools-teachers/100713770/

Statement by DFT President Ivy Bailey on Board of Education 7-0 vote to appoint Dr. Nikolai Vitti as DPSCD superintendent - April 18

"The Detroit Board of Education today voted to appoint Dr. Nikolai Vitti superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD.)

Last month, we respectfully requested that the board grant Interim Superintendent Alycia Meriweather a formal interview. That didn't happen, unfortunately. We believe that Meriweather, the first DPSCD superintendent with Detroit classroom experience since Dr. Eddie Green nearly 20 years ago, has provided much needed stability after an often volatile period in recent school district history. It is our hope that Meriweather remain an important member of

ROLL CALL: March 9 General Membership Meeting

Thanks to all who attended our productive meeting. The following schools were represented:

Academy of Americas Elementary
Adult Education West
Bagley Elementary
Bennett Academy
Brewer Academy
Cass Technical
Clark Preparatory Academy
Clippert Academy
Cody Academy of Public Leadership
Cody Medicine and County Health Academy
Detroit Collegiate Prep at Northwestern
Detroit International Academy for Young Women
Drew Transitional Center
Durfee
East English Village Preparatory Academy
Edison
Emerson
Foreign Language Immersion Cultural Studies
Frederick Douglass Academy
Gompers
Greenfield Union
Jerry L. White Center
John R

You’ll find information on a number of high priority bills under consideration.

Knezek Offers Resolution Demanding Snyder Drop the Appeal and Return our 3 Percent

Sen. David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) introduced on March 29 SR 37, a resolution demanding Gov. Rick Snyder return the money taken illegally from school employees’ paychecks from 2010-12, the subject of a seven-year court battle led by AFT Michigan and the Michigan Education Association.

Three separate courts have found the law in violation of the state constitution, as it forced the deduction of 3 percent of school employees’ wages

"I know some of the teachers are going to ask, why did he leave Detroit?” said Ivy Bailey, Detroit Federation of Teachers - DFT Local 231, president.

http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/detroit/dps-superintendent-candidate-under-fire-as-school-board-considers-him