In AFT President Randi Weingarten’s latest New York Times  column, she describes what it is exactly that unions do. Though unions are the most popular they have been in decades, anti-union sentiment still thrives in red states and across the nation. “Several years ago, The Atlantic ran a story whose headline made even me, a labor leader, scratch my head: ‘Union Membership: Very Sexy,’” Weingarten writes in the column. “The gist was that higher wages, health benefits and job security—all associated with union membership—boost one’s chances of getting married. Belonging to a union doesn’t actually guarantee happily ever after, but it does help working people have a better life in the here and now.” Click through to read the full column.

DPSCD and the union have a letter of agreement for the College Transition Advisors who received lay off notices in April. We have finalized all restructuring components for those employees who held a position as a CTA with the district. All documents pertaining to options available to CTAs will also be placed on the website, under Members Only, resources tab.

• Pathway Counselor
• Academic Interventionist
• Layoff
• Severance Package

The district's director of Human Resources, Benjamin Jackson will  be contact all College Transition Advisors soon for a 15-minute session where questions can be asked to assist the CTA  in making the best decision. The CTA will have until Friday, June 16, 2023 to select an option. 

Pathway Counselors Agreement

Restructuring Options

Severance Package

CLICK HERE to view the template for the 2023-2024 school year as negotiated with the school district. Highlights include:

• Monday, August 21, 2023 report date for staff
• Monday, August 29, 2023 first day for students
• 6 Professional Development Days
• Friday, June 7, 2024 last day for students
• Tuesday, June 11, 2024 last report date for teachers
• Wednesday, June 12 through June 21, 2024 reserved for any potential make-up dates
• follows Wayne RESA Common Calendar for winter, mid-winter and spring breaks

Take Action!

Reach out to the DPSCD School Board and let them know  we want them to meet with labor and community leaders by next Tuesday. We need each and every one of our employees. All play a crucial role in supporting our students.

Arrive early! See you all there!

Congratulations, Candice Jackson. One of our union members has been named 2023-2024 Michigan Teacher of the Year by the state Department of Education.Ms. Jackson, who has been in the district since 2002, says it was a shock to be nominated. She was contacted by the state and asked to complete an application, which she says wasn't even on her radar. After her interview in Lansing, she said she felt good. Ms. Jackson was named as Region 10 (City of Detroit) Teacher of the Year in mid-April.  She was presented with the regional award by the DPSCD School Board at its April Regular Board meeting.

As Michigan Teacher of the Year she will have a seat at the State Board of Education table as a non-voting member, attend several national conferences with fellow state teachers of the year, and will be Michigan’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year. We are proud that she will be using her experience as a union member and a DPSCD teacher to advocate for students.

Her advice for new teachers is to find a good mentor for yourself. She also says to build a relationship with your students and their families. You have to let children know how much you care. Those relationships you build helps to bridge the gaps.

She is a Michigan State Spartan grad and undergrad and began her career at Newberry Elementary. She moved to Ronald Brown Academy and is now a third grade Math Master Teacher at Mann Elementary. She has also taught first and second grades.

She says she is humbled and hopes she does a good job representing the district and the DFT. We know she will.