02/18/2026
Incase you missed our BFT WINTER Newsletter!
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BFT Winter Newsletter: 2025-2026
Bristol Federation of Teachers Local 1464
A Season of Giving
Our members showed incredible generosity this winter, raising $3,000 for the DeMonte & Hamzy Scholarship Fund. To further honor this cause, the BFT has matched all teacher donations. Thank you for supporting the future of our students and honoring our community.
Contract Corner: Reductions in Force (RiF) and Sub Pay
The BFT is working tirelessly to reduce the number of positions lost during the upcoming redistricting. We have finally secured a clear version of how seniority will be applied.
RiF due to redistricting
The BFT will do everything to reduce the number of positions lost. We finally have a clear version of how seniority will be applied, and we will be using that information with the upcoming redistricting.
Contract language:
33:3.1 If a 6-12 position in a subject area is eliminated, the least senior
bargaining unit members in the affected subject area will be relocated if a position exists within an area in which the bargaining unit member is certified. If a position requiring elementary certification is eliminated, the least senior bargaining unit member at the grade level in the building where the elimination takes place will be affected. Priority will be given to placing bargaining unit members in subject/grade areas where they are currently teaching.
Summary: If a position is eliminated, the least senior member in that subject area will be relocated, provided they are certified for an open slot. Priority is given to your current teaching area.
33:3.2 If a city-wide position (i.e. Art, Music, Special Education, etc.) is eliminated, the least senior bargaining unit members in the city-wide position shall be affected.
Summary: If a position is cut, the least senior member at that grade level within that specific building is affected.
33:3.3 Those bargaining unit members who need to be placed into positions due to elimination of assignments cited in 33:3.1 and 33:3.2 hereinabove will inform the Superintendent, on a form mutually developed by the BFT and Central Office, of their preference of grade assignment, school, subject area as they apply.
Summary: For roles like Art, Music, and Special Education, cuts affect the least senior members across the entire city.
Seniority Lists
Redistricting and staffing changes are approaching. It is vital that you know where you stand. Please reach out to your building representative to view the current seniority lists.
Retirements can offset the movements as well. In a typical year, we have about a dozen retirements.
Sub Pay
Article 35, Section 11: Any elementary school bargaining unit member who has students added to their classroom for more than half a day due to the lack of a substitute bargaining unit member shall receive compensation equal to the substitute teacher’s pay.
Summary: If an elementary member takes on additional students for more than half a day due to a lack of a substitute, they are entitled to compensation which is $154. This is per member and not split up among 2-3 members.
Professional Boundaries: Protect Your License
The principle of In Loco Parentis may end with the school bell, but your legal obligations do not.
Recently a member in another state was cleared by DCF regarding text communications with a student, yet was still arrested and charged under criminal statutes regarding "inappropriate relationships."
The Hard Truth: A "cleared" DCF investigation does not prevent criminal prosecution, termination, or the revocation of your teaching license.
Keep it Professional: Use only district-approved platforms.
Avoid One-on-One: If you must text, try to use group chats for logistics.
Perception is Reality: Even well-intended "caring" messages can be legally interpreted as a pattern designed to maintain an inappropriate relationship.
Win: Special Education Advocacy
After the BFT conducted a time study of High School Special Education teachers, we presented the data to district leadership. We have secured the following remedies:
Short-Term Wins
Long-Term Goals
The second Wednesday of the Month is now dedicated to IEPs, parent contact, Medicare, etc.
Service matrix for placements with clear rationales.
Additional PPT slots made available.
Potential for SPED secretaries at both high schools.
HS Admin will attend transitional PPTs from middle schools.
Possible return of Department Chairs.
Increased number of paras and behaviorists.
Get Involved: We Need You
Everything listed above was accomplished by just 20 active members. Imagine what we could do if we all stepped up. There are roughly 670 members.
Current Openings:
VP of Elementary
Stewards at multiple schools (BCHS 2 open positions, NEMS 1 open position, Bristol Prep 1 open position)
These are paid positions but any member can get involved and be impactful.
Financial Tip: Looking to lower your monthly payments? CHESLA offers student loan refinancing with excellent rates for all educators. Visit chesla.org for more info.
Superintendent Iris White has released her Proposed Budget for the 2026-2027 school year Budget Presentation for FY 27 (2).pdf
There is a Teacher Pre-retirement seminar April 25th (via Zoom) that you can register for here .
CHESLA provides financing, information and tools for students and families to make informed decisions about paying for higher education.
