The Jefferson Parish School Board’s approval of a collective bargaining agreement with the Jefferson Federation of Teachers marks the return of teacher voice in educational decisions and a culture of collaboration, which have been rejected for the last three years by the former board.
Statement by LFT President Steve Monaghan
(July 24, 2015) Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the senseless, tragic shooting in Lafayette last night. It is especially poignant to learn that two of the victims are our colleagues, high school teachers who were simply taking in a movie on a Thursday night.
UDATE: Although HB 418, the so-called Paycheck Protection Act, was scheduled to be debated on the floor of the House on Tuesday, no vote was taken.
Without discussion, the bill was returned to the calendar at the request of its author, Rep. Stuart Bishop (R-Lafayette).
The bill cannot be brought back to the floor without notification, upon which a member may object and ask for a vote on whether or not to hear the bill.
BATON ROUGE, LA – April 7, 2015 - A new poll released Thursday by Lake Research Partners shows significant bi-partisan opposition to the so-called “Paycheck Protection Act” (HB 418) currently being considered by the Louisiana Legislature.
UPDATE: The board of Benjamin Franklin High School unanimously voted to ratify the contract with the United Teachers of New Orleans. Here is a link to the contract that has now been ratified by teachers and the board.
NEW ORLEANS (March 18, 2015) –Benjamin Franklin High School and the United Teachers of New Orleans announce a tentative agreement on an initial three-year contract. This bargaining agreement is a promising start to a stronger relationship and improved communication between the faculty, the administration and the school board, reinforcing the school’s mission of preparing students of high academic achievement to be successful in life
(Baton Rouge – March 11, 2015) Citing his longstanding support for public education, his family values and his inspiring life story, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers today announced that it is supporting State Rep. John Bel Edwards for governor.
(New Orleans – March 2, 2015) Teachers at Morris Jeff Community School today petitioned their administration and board to recognize the United Teachers of New Orleans as their representative and to begin negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement.
(Baton Rouge – February 5, 2015) A rising movement calling for parents to opt their children out of taking high-stakes tests is just the latest sign of chaos in the Baton Rouge education bureaucracy, and a signal that the state education board must take decisive action and give parents, teachers, and local school districts a sense of direction, according to the Louisiana Federation of Teachers.
(Baton Rouge – December 16, 2014) Funding for public education’s Minimum Foundation Program will increase by some $75 million next year if a plan approved by the state’s MFP task Force today is adopted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Legislature.
“We started an important conversation today about the choices Louisiana must make for the future of our children,” said Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan.
(Baton Rouge – November 19, 2014) American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten will be the keynote speaker at the Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ 50th Annual Convention awards luncheon on Monday, November 24, 2014.
LFT will celebrate its Golden Jubilee at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel, 555 Canal Street, in New Orleans, from Sunday, Nov. 23 through Tuesday, Nov. 25.
(Baton Rouge – November 3, 2014) A Louisiana Department of Education report boasting success for Louisiana’s controversial school voucher scheme amounts to little more than political propaganda on the eve of an election, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today.