Great news!  Yesterday, DCPS teachers voted 1,412 – 425 to ratify the Teacher’s contract.  This vote represents a victory for students and teachers, as it reinforces several of the crucial reforms that are improving our DC Public Schools.   The final step for the contract to pass is a City Council vote, which will be held in late June. 

Now, we need your help! Take five minutes of your time in the next few days to call and/or write the DC Council about this momentous vote. We want the Council to understand that the majority of residents in Washington, DC support both paying teachers more and holding them accountable for student achievement. Your call will make a difference.  Take action today using the suggestions below.

 Call to Action:

Once you feel informed about the contract (you can find some links below), do the following:

1)       Make quick calls and/or send emails to the Council member from your ward, the at-large members, and the Council Chairman.  We’ve listed brief ideas on what you could say and their contact information below.

2)       Forward this email to five friends and ask them to follow your lead.

3)       Let us know how YOU supported the ratification of the Teacher’s Contract to improve DC schools by clicking here!.

4)       Stay alert for any updates from us to see what is in store for the contract.

As always, thank you for your advocacy on behalf of our students! 

Please see below for important information about the contract, suggested emails and phone scripts and Councilmember contact information. 

Important Contract Info:

If you haven’t yet read key details of the contract, highlighted by the WTU, you can do so here.  We also encourage you to read our brief memo on how the contract will benefit children: Our Children and the Teacher’s Contract.  A Washington Post editorial that dispels many of the rumors about the budget surplus controversy is also worth reading.

Suggested Phone Call:

Hello, I am a Ward X resident, and a [parent/teacher/student/community member] calling about the upcoming vote on the Teacher’s contract – I wanted to find out what Councilmember X’s position is, and to pass along my two cents.  What is the Councilmember’s position on the contract?

[If the member is supportive]  Well that’s great to hear.  I feel the same way –I think that the Teacher’s Contract ensures that our teachers will be among the highest-performing in the country, and all of our kids in DC deserve an excellent education.  Our education in DC has finally begun improving in recent years and this contract will continue moving us in the right direction.  I plan to vote in the upcoming election and will strongly consider how members vote on school issues, so I’m really pleased to hear that. 

[If the member is uncertain, wavering, or opposed]  I’m really disappointed to hear that.  I think that the Teacher’s Contract ensures that our teachers will be among the highest-performing in the country, and all of our kids in DC deserve an excellent education.  Our education in DC has finally begun improving in recent years and this contract will continue moving us in the right direction.  I hope you will reconsider your position and put students’ needs first. I plan to vote in the upcoming election and will strongly consider how members vote on school issues. 

[End either type of call by being polite, and saying that you’ll be paying attention.]  Well, I appreciate your time.  I’ll be looking at the news to see how the Councilmember voted.

Suggested Email:

Dear Councilmember X,

I am writing to express my support for the Teacher’s Contract.  I think that the agreement ensures that our teachers will be among the highest-performing in the country, and all of our kids in DC deserve an excellent education.  Our education in DC has finally begun improving in recent years and this contract will continue moving us in the right direction.  Improving the District’s struggling education system is one of my highest priorities as a voter, and I hope you will vote to ratify the contract.

Sincerely,

Name

Ward

Councilmember Contacts: