We Don't Need No Education

Edward Mason reports on a tense school meeting last night, a harbinger of the upcoming contract negotiations with the teachers' union.

“When agreeing to a contract, we need to make sure we make sure children come first,” Johnson said, addressing Roxbury parents on a panel with Boston Teachers Union chief Richard Stutman. “What we’re looking at is what we can put in place to give our students the very best chance for a quality education.”

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Stutman, whose union is at odds with Johnson over much of the plan, bristled when asked by the moderator if he opposed reform.

“What we are interested in is improving our schools,” Stutman said. “If you’re going to make people work extra hours, you have to compensate them.”

Stutman laid out proposals including smaller classes and specialized reading instruction. “Just saying you want a longer school day doesn’t mean it will work.”