PFT, unions turn out in force at SRC to protest cuts
by thenotebook on Jun 13 2011 Posted in Latest news
Hundreds gathered at 440 Monday afternoon.
More than 500 union members rallied outside School District headquarters before Monday's School Reform Commission meeting, then streamed inside en masse to protest massive cutbacks and layoffs that leaders said will decimate schools and jeopardize academic gains.
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan vowed that his union would not reopen its contract to help the SRC find savings to help close a $629 million budget gap.
"This is a budget crisis largely of your own creation," he told the SRC.
Red-clad PFT members packed the SRC auditorium, delaying the start of the meeting for several minutes with chants, songs, and cheers. Others filled the first-floor atrium that showed a video feed of the meeting. They also lined the second-floor balconies overlooking the atrium and cheered boisterously when Jordan addressed the commissioners.
Jordan asked the SRC to "imagine September 2011," when he said the District will have 1,000 fewer early childhood slots, 323 fewer special education teachers, 619 fewer elementary education teachers, and 350 fewer math, science, English, and social studies teachers.
"With the cuts you have made, I fear, you are preparing today's students for failure," Jordan said.
Earlier, outside the building, in a rare joint appearance, the presidents of the principals' association and the District's blue-collar unions joined Jordan to address the protest.
"We stand with you," said Robert McGrogan, president of the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators. "Without you our members cannot do their jobs. A war is being declared on all workers simultaneously."
George Ricchezza, president of the 32BJ chapter of the Service Employees International Union, which represents maintenance and other non-teaching personnel, said that "this is unprecedented."
In 10 years, he said, the SRC went from "a balanced budget to a $629 million deficit" when the very purpose for its creation was to put the District's fiscal house in order.
Teachers described how their school staffs were being decimated by layoffs. More than 1,500 teachers are among nearly 4,000 laid off District workers.
"Our school has improved 150 percent and all the people who made it possible are gone," said Eileen DiFranco, the nurse at Roxborough High School.
Carefully built teams that included administrators, teachers, student advisors, and other workers that were designed to reduce truancy and improve school climate will have to be dismantled, she said.
Chris LeShok, a 6th grade teacher at Whittier Elementary, said three "really good" teachers got layoff notices at the North Philadelphia school.
"One is a brand new teacher, smart, highly qualified, her students are learning," LeShok said. The others are second-year teachers.
"We’re not broke. Not the state, not the country, not the District. There’s money out there," LeShok said.
In addition to Jordan, more than 30 speakers addressed the SRC, many of them decrying the cuts in areas like special education, parent engagement, and translation services. The commission listened without comment.
In a late development, Jordan said that state Supreme Court Justice Max Baer had issued a stay order, effectively postponing a lower court hearing scheduled for Tuesday to deal with the manner in which the District conducted the teacher layoffs. The high court is reviewing the documents relating to the case and no action can take place on the case in the meantime.
The union had gone to court to block the layoffs, saying that the District's exemption of teachers in Promise Academies from layoffs violated the contract. Commonwealth Court Judge Idee C. Fox issued a temporary restraining order that put the layoffs on hold and scheduled the Tuesday hearing.
While the layoffs are still on hold, it is unclear what the Supreme Court's involvement means for the ultimate disposition of the union's case. Promise Academies are schools getting extra resources for "turnaround" under the supervision of Superintendent Arlene Ackerman.
Ackerman, who is out of town, did not attend the SRC meeting.
Notebook staffers Dale Mezzacappa and Paul Socolar and intern Katrina Morrison contributed reporting for this article.
Comments (91)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 20:13.
Where was Ackerman? Was she at a job interview? I hope so.
I was there; the SRC surely knows now that we are angry and we will not let them bust our union. We did not look like a broken union ready for givebacks. Thank you Jerry!
Which side are you on? Our students are in danger. And before some idiot teabagger says we only care about our jobs-- I've already lost mine. And yet everyone there had students as the priority. Teachers and students are on one side of this, the SRC, Ackerman, and the lawmakers are on the other.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 21:45.
Why wasn't the "Queen" there? School does not let out until June 22!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 06:48.
She was out of town. Some kind of coward.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 21:24.
She's no coward, she was busy counting her money that she has scammed from the kids. Give her a break, it takes time.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/17/2011 - 13:17.
How dare you question the Queen?? The arrogance of you !! The Queen had a prior engagement--a book burning of the finances.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 20:15.
I am proud of my union brethren.. Happy that the CASA union stood with us. Glad to see they are standing up.. However I am sad that the State Supreme Court saw fit to intervene in this issue without it going to hearing in the Common Pleas court.. this is not good news the Judge who saw fit to cancel it must not be up for re-election in the fall.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 21:42.
So does this mean we are laid off or are we waiting for the State Supreme Court to decide? I am confused...
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 21:49.
I agree with you. When are we going to find out if we are laid off or not? When can we get on with our lives? When will this madness ever end?
If an employee has to give 3 months notice to LEAVE the district, why on earth can't we know immediately whether or not we will have a job. Jobs are not easy to come by! Should I be putting my resumes out elsewhere?
Can ANYONE help with some answers here!?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 22:10.
Yeah! I have been site selected and I need to know if I should go or not. I do not want to waste anyone's time.
Submitted by Anonymous 4546 (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 01:03.
I know it's frustrating for everyone.
1) Go to site selection! You haven't been laid off. You're a teacher who should be going through site selection because that's part of your job to find a school.
2) Get your resume ready and start looking for jobs. It may be premature to apply anywhere but be prepared.
3) There is no way we can know the final outcome until all funding has been finalized and all court cases resolved. By June 30 we should probably know the base funding scenario. Maybe more funding will come in after that and teachers will be recalled--but don't count on it. Worst case scenario is the courts rule the District can cancel contracts on June 30. Then everything is up in the air.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 06:22.
Let's say you were not "laid-off", but you did get selected for a PA school, and signed a Site Selection Agreement. Do I still have a job, or should I do Site Selection at another school. I thought that in signing that Site Selection agreement, you were not allowed to interview at other schools. Any explanations would be most helpful here.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 08:40.
typically...if you were not laid off, and signed a PA agreement then no you can not site select another school.
however this is far from being a typical year..
Submitted by Anonymous 4546 (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 12:43.
In the Promise Academy acceptance contract its says that you cannot site select so you cannot site select. The PA agreement is different from a site election agreement but it also means you can't site select at other schools since it's a contract to be hired by that school barring outside circumstances (like being laid off). So, you are still under contract with your promise academy to work there until you hear otherwise. We'll only know our fates after the court hearing.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 19:30.
I am in the same position. I signed on to work at a Promise Academy. I was not laid off and now have the option to stay at my current school. My principal wants to know what I have chosen and ultimately I want to still work at the promise academy, but I have not received anything from human resources verifying my contract. I did sign and I was told I would receive a confirmation email, but that is now on hold until the court decision. I am hesitant to tell my principal anything in fear that I will lose my current school and something may happen to my promise academy position. I don;t want to screw anyone over, but I feel like I can't give up my current school until I have it in writing from human resources that I am at PA. How long could this court case take??
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 21:07.
If you were not given a lay off slip then your PA compact should stand and you shouldn't be able to sign on to your current school. Even if after all of this mess, the principal offers you something they will likely deny it down town because you already have a PA compact on file.
Submitted by Anonymous 4647 (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 09:05.
Your position shouldn't be 'on hold' because of the lawsuit. The lawsuit only jeopardizes the positions of low-seniority teachers who were not fired because of Promise Academy contracts. It will not remove any positions from Promise Academies so your should still exist. You can check with the Promise Academy to make sure they signed the contract with you, if so you're fine.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 20:27.
Unless PA make their own rules, the official site selection didn't open until June 9, when HR sent out the email saying site selection was open, but principals cannot offer positions nor will HR accept and verify and signed contract till further notice. (Check you school district e-mail). Keep trying to site select somewhere, but I think at this point it is kind of mute, because you will not be offered anything until this mess is settled.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 21:54.
Promise Academies were accepting resumes, etc via email before the regular site selection opened. So, yes, a contract could have been offered before June 9th, and yes, PAs do have their own rules.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/17/2011 - 13:23.
You'll be fine in September after the Queen is finished playing politics for a while. Of course, she needs to go so people can start to take our situation seriously. With Ackerman here, we have no respect, no credibility and no hope. She'll never leave on her own as she has no self respect at all---just a glob of protoplasm sucking the life out of everybody around her like a massive black hole.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/19/2011 - 16:27.
Does anyone have any idea as to when this court case is to take place? For all of the people that were laid-off, there has been no further information given regarding final pay, benefits and the like.
Has anyone heard when this matter may hit the local courts? According to the layoff form, the "last pay" is scheduled for July 8th.
Submitted by tom-104 on Sun, 06/19/2011 - 17:54.
The PFT is having an informational meeting for all laid-off PFT members on Monday, June 20th at 5 p.m. (tomorrow) I'm sure you can get a lot of information and answers to questions there. It is at the Sheet Metal Workers' Union Hall, 1301 S. Columbus Blvd.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 21:26.
Either way, you'll be back by September and maybe sooner. Corbett will kick in more money and Nutter who adores his job of water boy for the Queen, will kick in some too.
Submitted by TeachersStandTogether (not verified) on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 20:37.
The Notebook once more out-reports the Inquirer. Thank you for giving a true picture of the events at 440 S. Board today. I disagree with your numbers, though. There were close to a thousand people, if not more.
Surprised about CASA's move, as that union's president seemed ready to bend over for the SRC. very please that he changed his mind. If felt good to stand tall with our united unions as well as the students and parents who support school personnel. It's a shame Ms. Ackerman did not have the courage to face us.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 21:16.
The Governor and other republicans at the state level are proposing that we save the state surplus to put into a rainy day fund. Guess what? It is raining on our children in Philadelphia right now!
Submitted by Kelly (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 12:44.
I agree that it is "raining" on our children right now & that we need money but please do not try to place the blame on the republicans. It is not fair ... this would have happened if Rendell was in office. Ackerman has totally mismanaged funds for years and one of her biggest screw ups (in my opinion) is that she used the "Obama-Money" as if it would come to her every year; like a birthday present. Let's place the blame where it truly belongs: on ACKERMAN.
Submitted by Ron Whitehorne on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 13:37.
Kelly
Tom Corbett and the Republican Party certainly must take a substantial share of responsbility for the gutting of school funding not just in Philadelphia but in poorer communities across the state. Rendell would have fought, as he did previously, for a more equitable school budget. The Republicans not only cut the dollar amount for education they scrapped the formula that benefitted poorer districts with higher proportions of special needs students. We also have Corbett's refusal to impose any taxes on the energy comings currently reaping huge profits from our state's deposits of marcellus shale.
The Democratic Party is not blameless by any means, but let's be clear the main thrust for attacks on public education and public employee unionism emanate from the GOP and its ascenddant Tea Party wing.
Ackerman's mismanagement is certainly a big part of the problem and the most immediate issue since her failure to curtail spending undercuts the efforts to get more funding from the state. But that's no reason to let Corbett off the hook.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 09:38.
I've been saying the same things and we all better see the truth. Yes, Ackerman is corrupt and abusive and personally disgusting. Yes, she also has no credibility at all with anybody above the age of reason. Yes, the SRC are just as abusive if not corrupt and yes, the democratic party is not innocent either BUT-------------------Corbett and the Tea party Types are a million times worse. They are heartless at best. Who can defend cutting opportunities for kids while SIMULTANEOUSLY expanding prison lockups??? Who can't see that ?? Ackerman needs to go so Corbett can't hide behind her corruption which is stunning. Though Corbett is not bashful about his disdain for the inner cities and their problems, even he will then have to kick in more money for the schools.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 09:38.
I've been saying the same things and we all better see the truth. Yes, Ackerman is corrupt and abusive and personally disgusting. Yes, she also has no credibility at all with anybody above the age of reason. Yes, the SRC are just as abusive if not corrupt and yes, the democratic party is not innocent either BUT-------------------Corbett and the Tea party Types are a million times worse. They are heartless at best. Who can defend cutting opportunities for kids while SIMULTANEOUSLY expanding prison lockups??? Who can't see that ?? Ackerman needs to go so Corbett can't hide behind her corruption which is stunning. Though Corbett is not bashful about his disdain for the inner cities and their problems, even he will then have to kick in more money for the schools.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 14:46.
Please understand I was not blaming the Republican Party for the current state of our school district and budget crisis. I was pointing out that the state has a surplus and that Governor Corbett and other republicans in the state government have stated that they are plan to put that surplus money into a 'Rainy Day Fund' rather than using it to alleviate some of the budgetary concerns associated with state education.
I agree that Ackerman is at the heart of our current crisis.
I am frustrated that politicians (from both parties) do not seem to realized the detrimental impact such decisions have on urban districts such as ours.
Submitted by Christopher (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 16:36.
The republicans deserve every ounce of blame that they get. They want to kill all unions, and dissolve public education completely. They're not even bashful about saying so.
Submitted by Ron Whitehorne on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 21:20.
One disappointment was that most people left after Jerry spoke and no one urged them to stay to hear the powerful testimony of parents. Some parent speakers condemned the SRC and called on them to rescind the layoffs of teachers and the resolution to renegoiate the PFT contract. We should be supporting these parents and developing common action with them.
Submitted by TeachersStandTogether (not verified) on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 21:35.
I wondered why everyone followed Jerry out. Apparently it was to attend a meeting on preventing school violence held by the Inquirer.
Can someone please explain this stay business to me? Jerry seems to think the restraining order on the lay-offs will remain in effect until the PA Supreme Court acts. Does that sound likely?
Submitted by Anonymous 4546 (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 00:56.
It's more than likely--it's how it works. Justice Baer has placed a stay meaning the next move is with the full court. The court can decide to hear the case or remove the stay so the lower court hears it but until the Supreme Court acts things will remain as they are now. But, all it's doing is delaying a real and final decision. My (under educated) guess is that the Supreme Court wants to weigh in because this is time sensitive and they know that any lower court ruling will eventually be appealed to them anyways.
Submitted by TeachersStandTogether (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 05:52.
Thank you. That is the most coherent explanation I have received so far. I hope this decision will help, rather than harm, our laid-off teachers. They don't deserve to pay for Ackerman's mismanagement of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Submitted by Rich (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 06:53.
Yes, that is a good explanation of what is happening. The outcome should be interesting. But what I find even more interesting is that the parents who spoke at the SRC meeting are against breaking the PFT contract. It is obvious that the People of Philadelphia are not behind the SRC in its quest to violate the teachers' contract. In fact, the People think that what is going on is a disgrace.
It seems the only people who want to break the contract are the politicians at the state level. The question I think needs to be answered is: Does the SRC represent the politicians or the People of Philadelphia?
Whose Schools Are They? The politicians' schools or the people's schools?
Why are they wasting the people's money on a legal battle that the People do not want to wage and is "destructive" and poor policy. It is not even necessary. Their present course of conduct lacks wisdom.
Who does the SRC serve?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 21:28.
Since when does the PA State Supreme Court jump so fast at a suit? I thought this would have been handled in the lower courts as was supposed to be tomorrow. Now its not happening? What gives?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 21:38.
FIRE Ackerman and the members of thr SRC.....then the district will have money again. They are all thieves!!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 22:21.
why doesn't the union follow the education law center's lead in New Jersey and sue the governor for underfunding schools?
Submitted by LaidOffTeacher (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 09:01.
It was empowering to attend the rally/protest. I hope to see even more teachers, students, parents and community members at the next one. We need to march from City Hall to 440! We need to rally weekly! The PFT needs to get even more organized and fight for us! They can not back down at this point, otherwise it will send a message of how weak they truly are at this point. We need to stand up for ourselves!
Does anyone know when the PA Supreme Court will rule? Has a date been set? I agree that we all need to prepare, but the waiting is the worst part. We need to stick together and support one another.
Also, attend the rally in DC to Save Our Schools in late July! Speak out! Get involved! Let the momentum continue, don't let it stop!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 10:20.
Solidarity is the Answer and we better all see it the way it is. The opposition have no consciences and will destroy the hopes of our children IF we let them. By decimating unions, they decimate our rights--all of us--union and non union people. The Patriot Act is bad enough but this move to dismantle unions will place us back 75 years where the corporations controlled even the bathroom habits of workers. WE ALL ARE DEAD if we allow these ultra right wing corporate bidders to have their way. Solidarity now and forever as we are at the brink of disaster.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 11:57.
Please join us in opposing the proposed soda tax. At 2 cents per ounce, it would hike the cost of a 2 liter bottle of soda from $1.99 to $3.27. This is unacceptable. The school district needs to work with what it has. The tax would cost Philadelphia jobs. Please sign the petition at the link below. We have 33,000 signatures so far.
http://www.savephillyjobs.com/
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 12:45.
The tax would diminish the child obesity rate and solve a revenue problem by raising a voluntary tax instead of a tax on housing or income. Would we rather price more people out of homes or make empty calories more expensive? I don't think people will lose jobs-- and we all know "save philly jobs" is a campaign by the sugary beverage industry. It will mildly harm the profit margins of robber barons, but I have a hard time getting angry about that.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 15:05.
Sugar is not used in soda. It is high fructose corn syrup. If we tax soda, then people will just buy their soda outside the city at a much lower cost. That will cost jobs and revenue in the city. The school district needs to learn how to tighten its belt, just like everyone else has.
Submitted by Anonymous 4647 (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 09:16.
High fructose corn syrup may not be cane sugar but it is sugar.
You overestimate the amount of people that will change where they shop just because of a soda tax. People will not stop shopping in Philly en masse because of a soda tax. And it will not decrease overall revenue for grocery stores--it may decrease the profits grocery stores and soda distributors make. I don't really support it, but if we're going to raise taxes I think it's the one we should raise.
You're right that the District needs to stick to a good budget plan and not grub for whatever money it can get to spend on whatever programs Ackerman wants.
Submitted by Kevin (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 12:46.
Yeah right, I wouldn't want to see Harold Honickman, the wealthiest man in Philadelphia who owns several Pepsi plants as well as Canada Dry Beverages, suffer in any way. He may drop down to the 2nd or perish the thought, 3rd on the list of the most wealthy people in Philly.
Is he taking a pay cut to keep his people employed?
I don't know whether I am for or against this tax but this is all about the poeple at the top...as usual.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 09:16.
Henry Ford once said that the answer to all questions is money and, of course, he was right. The very rich are used to calling the shots and UNIONS are the only thing that stops them from returning to 1920 when citizens were completely under the thumb of the corporations. All UNIONS are under attack from the ultra right wing--Tea party-- and we better win or we're all dead. Make no mistake about it, this is Class Warfare 101 and the Tea Party types are using the recent huge recession as a pretext to destroy Unions and by extension, the democratic party. We better wake up and stand together or they'll pick us off one at a time and our rights will be gone. Anybody who thinks this can't happen, needs to look at the FACTS. By the way, Nazi Germany started the same way. Little by little, they chiseled away at people's rights pitting citizens against one another---sound familiar ?? Solidarity is the ANSWER !!
Submitted by Anonymous 4546 (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 12:46.
Some of the speakers in that video advocate raising our property taxes so we can 'save their jobs'. That's not how to make friends. If City Council increases taxes it better be a soda tax and not property taxes.
Submitted by TeachersStandTogether (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 22:39.
I TOTALLY agree with you!
Submitted by InSupport of Healthier Living (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 13:06.
DRINK WATER!!!! It's healthier for you.
I'm sorry, but people find money to buy cigarettes, expensive cable and phone services and booze. I do not have a problem with the "soda tax."
Submitted by Annonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 13:49.
Philly tap water is a fine alternative. The soda tax may take a bite out of fast food type establishments but it might also encourage healthier alternatives. As you wrote, those who want soda will buy it no matter the cost.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 15:34.
Umm, if people drink water instead of soda then the city collects no money from the tax. Can you understand that concept?
Submitted by Anonymous 4647 (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 09:20.
It will obviously never be a case of no one drinks soda. With the cost of the soda tax people can half as much drink soda and the City will still make more money from the tax. People drinking half as much soda is a huge public health benefit and it will still bring in a large amount of money. I believe the $65 million figure is based on assumption of a 20% reduction in purchases. That 20% is a mix of less consumption and people buying across city lines.
Submitted by TeachersStandTogether (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 22:37.
Sorry, but with the obesity problem threatening inner city children above all others - and parents continuing to stick 20-ounce sodas in their kids' book bags despite the official ban (or is that just on selling soda in schools?) - I have no problem with a soda tax. What will cost Philadelphia jobs is a bunch of laid-off teachers, counselors, nurses, support staff, community liaisons, police officers, custodians and cafeteria workers. The right to junk food should not supersede the right to have a good education. I do believe any profits collected for the schools should be monitored by someone from the city comptroller's office, though.
Submitted by Ron Whitehorne on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 13:49.
Why is the discussion of how to raise revenue for the schools locally limited to the soda tax and the property tax. The soda tax is regressive and will hurt small businesses. I'm all for fighting obesity but where is the evidence that this will achieve this aim.
What about the city's business community stepping up to the plate? They whine continually about the costs of an uneducated labor force but where are they on more revenue for the schools. Raise the Gross Recieipts Tax with an exemption for mom and pop businesses. Stan Shapiro, who blogs at Young Philly, has written extensively on this. Check it out: youngphillypolitics.com/it039s_big_business_taxes_should_go_fund_our_schools
Submitted by Annonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 14:13.
While the soda tax is regressive, so are all "sin" taxes (e.g. cigarettes, alcohol by the drink, etc.) I agree the gross receipts tax should be lifted, but I don't think the soda tax will "hurt" small businesses. Small businesses such as "mom and pop" stores, pizza places, etc. do quite well in Philly - they are cash based businesses that seem to proliferate. If people want to buy soda at the corner store, they will keep wasting their money and buy it. $6 M is chump change but it is a start. This, combined with the gross receipts, could force the City to up the minimal amount of funding it gives to schools. Another option is to have Harrisburg take over some costs that Philly incurs since it has county and city government responsibilities such as courts.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 21:29.
Harrisburg would rather water board itself than assume voluntarily any City responsibility.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 16:46.
NOBODY WILL LOSE HIS OR HER JOB. AFTER THE POLITICAL BLOWHARDS CALM DOWN AND CORBETT GIVES MORE FUNDING WITH THREATS, OF COURSE, ALL WILL BE RESTORED. IF YOU HAVE THE PROPER CREDENTIALS, YOU WILL HAVE A JOB. WATCH AND LEARN--POLITICS AS USUAL. BY THE WAY, UNIONS ARE WINNING AGAINST THE TEA PARTY NUTS. EVEN THE GOVERNOR IN FLORIDA IS GIVING MORE FUNDING TO SCHOOLS AND CORBETT WILL TOO. THEY WANT TO BE REELECTED FIRST, LAST AND ALMOST ONLY. THEY'RE CRUEL AND INSENSITIVE BUT NOT STUPID. HAVING SAID THAT, THE QUEEN NEEDS TO GO BECAUSE SHE HAS NO CREDIBILITY ANS HER CORRUPTION LADEN ADMINISTRATION IS A STONE COLD EMBARRASSMENT ACROSS THE LAND. ACKERMAN IS BEYOND CORRUPT LIKE A PERSON WHO STEALS FROM POOR BOXES IN CHURCH AND THEN RIDES AWAY IN HER MERCEDES--JUST HEARTLESS AND WITHOUT SALVATION--NOT THAT SHE CARES ANYWAY. PLAYING THE RACE CARD TO COVER HER TRACKS WHILE DOING THE BIDDING OF CORBETT THE WHOLE TIME. IS ANYBODY OUT THERE STILL DUMB ENOUGH TO THINK ACKERMAN CARES ABOUT THE KIDS??
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 16:57.
I don't see any hands waving anymore. Who could be that dumb?? Oh, I forgot about Nutter. Either he is complicit in all this or he's as dumb as dirt. He's not dumb as dirt so ...............
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 17:00.
You may be making a good point, but I think your caps lock is broken.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 17:39.
Do the words, Anal Retentive mean anything to you, Bambi??!!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 17:40.
Jefferson once said that some people give freedom of speech a bad name. He surely was thinking of you.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 18:13.
Really sweet pants, lighten up !
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 18:42.
So, a polite reminder about internet etiquette is met with name-calling, sexist crap, and this same person who keeps saying "Do the words Anal-Retentive mean anything to you?" I think the point was that they wanted to read what the person had to say but it was difficult to read in all caps. Most people will simply skip over that. Caps lock does not make you more convincing and it does not make more people read it.
Do not call grown women "sweet pants." It is disgusting. It makes my skin crawl.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 19:23.
Not for the first time, I suspect. Get over yourself !1
Submitted by Mark (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 06:58.
People have been saying that Ackerman "need to go" for more than two years now. Same thing over and over, and her unethical behavior keeps getting worse and worse. She's not going anywhere - let's be real.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 09:05.
I agree but it's so horrible that I can't stop speaking about it. It MUST be a set up by the Feds or Corbett and I hope it's the Feds for all our sakes. WURD Radio continues to praise Ackerman which is beyond belief but I currently know nobody--teachers, parents etc. who still feel that way. Her corruption is stunning even by Phila. standards which are pretty high. Yes, I also agree that Corbett isn't even bashful about his disdain for the inner cities and their problems as he continues to build prisons to house the kids he is shafting in a few years. Who doesn't see that???? You can't both cut opportunities AND expand prisons and say you care about kids. Why would anyone not see that ????
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/16/2011 - 12:36.
The Queen must go because we have no credibility with her in charge. NONE--Not that she cares but the money people will chase her and hopefully, today.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/16/2011 - 12:36.
The Queen must go because we have no credibility with her in charge. NONE--Not that she cares but the money people will chase her and hopefully, today.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 20:00.
As a first year teacher who got fired last week, I have to say that I was very impressed with the quality of school lunches at my school. I ate the school lunch whenever possible. I will miss school lunch next year :-/
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 20:25.
I assume you are jesting, at least I hope you are. In any case, you'll continue to have the opportunity again in September because you will be rehired sometime in August or early September.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 20:34.
I hope so!!!!! Today we had stuffed shells and they were very good. They usually come with a side of fruit too. The cheese that was stuffed in the shell was good. Tomorrow I think we are going to have ham hoagies so I am excited about that.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 21:23.
Your feeble attempt at humor is darn good, I admit it--Far better than mine. I actually do like the spicy pizza which I am sure is a heart attack in the making but I can't resist. The rest of it I can do without though I do the fruit when in a hurry.
Submitted by TeachersStandTogether (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 22:42.
Seriously? You must work at one of the high schools that includes a cooking program. Elementary school food is vile.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 09:42.
The food doesn't even remotely approach vile, sub vile may be more appropriate not that sub vile is even a word. I agree, most of the food is a mystery, an array of things likely not fit for human consumption. I do admit to eating the pizza though.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 10:36.
I like the chicken nuggets at my elementary school.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 13:22.
They are of good quality at my school as well. Sometimes I like to take school lunch home with me and eat it for dinner if I like that day's lunch enough. If I don't have a job in Spetember I might stop by my school during lunch and see if I can take some lunch out with me.
Submitted by Goat (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 23:16.
The 'resolutions' of AA and the SRC seemingly liken the 'educational decrees' of Dolores Umbridge. I am changing the ending to the story, however. AA will not end up in the forbidden forest. Instead, she will appear in my classroom, in North Philly, wishing for centaurs...
Submitted by D A (not verified) on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 23:39.
Love this. A bunch of us have been calling AA "Dame Umbridge" for two years now. Its almost as if Dolores is her personal role model.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 15:50.
I believe when the Supreme Court here's the case, the PFT will prevail in regards to the exemption of Promise Academy lay offs. I believe they will have to redo the layoffs because the act was capricious. The Supreme Court let this go unrecognized where contracts are concerned.
Submitted by PhillyStandUp (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 17:14.
Can you be there on Tomorrow?
On Thursday, City Council will make critical decisions about the future of education for Philly's kids. Unfortunately, the needs of our children will be drowned out by the opponents unless we make ourselves heard. As a City, we are in support of City Council finding the money to fund our schools--no matter where it is. We know that our communities will be safer and more productive places if we have quality schools. Council will be feeling pressure from lobbyists. They also need to feel the pressure of a City demanding that they commit to funding our schools.
Be There Thursday! Bring your sign and support of public education.
Thursday, June 16, 2011 - City Council doors will open at 8:15am. Come as soon as you can!
City Hall, Room 400 - Enter at the Northeast corner of City Hall (bring photo ID).
City Council Vote - The battle for funding for our schools and our kids and our city is not over - it’s decision time.
Councilman DiCicco: 215-686-3458
Councilwoman Verna: 215-686-3412
Councilwoman Blackwell: 215-686-3418
Councilman Jones: 215-686-3416
Councilman Clarke: 215-686-3442
Councilwoman Krajewski: 215-686-3444
Counciwoman Quinones-Sanchez: 215-686-3448
Councilwoman Miller: 215-686-3424
Councilwoman Tasco: 215-686-3454
Councilman O'Neill: 215-686-3422
Council-At-Large
Councilman Goode: 215-686-3414
Councilman Greenlee: 215-686-3446
Councilman Green: 215-686-3420
Councilman Kelly: 215-686-3452
Councilman Kenney: 215-686-3450
Councilwoman Brown: 215-686-3438
Councilman Rizzo: 215-686-3440
Tell them we need: Kindergarten, Yellow Bus Service, Accelerated Schools, Early Childhood Education, Small Class Size, Counselors, School Nurses and Art and Music in Our Schools.
Submitted by PhillyStandUp (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 17:14.
Can you be there on Tomorrow?
On Thursday, City Council will make critical decisions about the future of education for Philly's kids. Unfortunately, the needs of our children will be drowned out by the opponents unless we make ourselves heard. As a City, we are in support of City Council finding the money to fund our schools--no matter where it is. We know that our communities will be safer and more productive places if we have quality schools. Council will be feeling pressure from lobbyists. They also need to feel the pressure of a City demanding that they commit to funding our schools.
Be There Thursday! Bring your sign and support of public education.
Thursday, June 16, 2011 - City Council doors will open at 8:15am. Come as soon as you can!
City Hall, Room 400 - Enter at the Northeast corner of City Hall (bring photo ID).
City Council Vote - The battle for funding for our schools and our kids and our city is not over - it’s decision time.
Councilman DiCicco: 215-686-3458
Councilwoman Verna: 215-686-3412
Councilwoman Blackwell: 215-686-3418
Councilman Jones: 215-686-3416
Councilman Clarke: 215-686-3442
Councilwoman Krajewski: 215-686-3444
Counciwoman Quinones-Sanchez: 215-686-3448
Councilwoman Miller: 215-686-3424
Councilwoman Tasco: 215-686-3454
Councilman O'Neill: 215-686-3422
Council-At-Large
Councilman Goode: 215-686-3414
Councilman Greenlee: 215-686-3446
Councilman Green: 215-686-3420
Councilman Kelly: 215-686-3452
Councilman Kenney: 215-686-3450
Councilwoman Brown: 215-686-3438
Councilman Rizzo: 215-686-3440
Tell them we need: Kindergarten, Yellow Bus Service, Accelerated Schools, Early Childhood Education, Small Class Size, Counselors, School Nurses and Art and Music in Our Schools.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 22:06.
Pa. justices keep teacher-layoff case in lower court
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the Philadelphia School District will have to defend in Common Pleas Court its plan to lay off more than 1,500 teachers.
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers sued the district last week, challenging officials' decision to exempt about 200 teachers from Promise Academies, chronically underperforming city schools that run longer school days and receive extra resources. The union said the exemptions violated the teachers' contract.
The district issued more than 3,000 pink slips June 6; the PFT's court action involves only the teacher layoffs.
After Common Pleas Court Judge Idee C. Fox issued a restraining order against the district last week, School District attorneys moved to have the case heard in the state's highest court to avoid what they said could be a lengthy legal process. - James Osborne
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 22:13.
Pa. justices keep teacher-layoff case in lower court
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the Philadelphia School District will have to defend in Common Pleas Court its plan to lay off more than 1,500 teachers.
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers sued the district last week, challenging officials' decision to exempt about 200 teachers from Promise Academies, chronically underperforming city schools that run longer school days and receive extra resources. The union said the exemptions violated the teachers' contract.
The district issued more than 3,000 pink slips June 6; the PFT's court action involves only the teacher layoffs.
After Common Pleas Court Judge Idee C. Fox issued a restraining order against the district last week, School District attorneys moved to have the case heard in the state's highest court to avoid what they said could be a lengthy legal process. - James Osborne
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 23:10.
No judge should side with the District. The district simply broke the contract and that should never be accepted. If it goes the other way, we need to fight as if it is the end of the union because it will be. These union breaking nuts need to be defeated or we, the people, will be relegated to 1920 when citizens were totally under the thumb of the corporations. This is Class Warfare and has we better win and we can----SOLIDARITY !!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 23:53.
OK, so what does this mean? When will we KNOW who is laid off and who isn't? I hate this waiting game.
PFT should get (as part of the court case) and release a list of all the teachers that got rescinded layoff notices, by certification area and by years of service. LOTS of fishy business went on with that first round of layoffs, and I'm not just talking Promise Academy stuff.
Plus, I want to know how close to the "cut-off" I was so that I know if there is even a chance that I won't be laid off when the dust settles. I want to stay at my school but my principal is already interviewing people for "my" position. How is that allowed when I haven't officially been laid off?
With site selection closing so soon, I know why my principal is doing this, but the courts need to make decisions SOON. PFT needs to advise us of what SHOULD and SHOULD NOT be happening at our schools as far as site selection an interviews, so we can properly report violations.
I
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/16/2011 - 06:54.
Call the PFT, and ask for your position on the layoff list by certification. They won't tell you the names of other people (because it's none of your business) but they can tell you how many are ahead of you to be recalled in your cert area.
As for what's happening, you were force transferred. You CAN site select for the position and interview, but the principal doesn't have to interview you unless he signed a retention request. Talk to your union rep. There are answers to all of your questions readily available.
Submitted by LaidOffTeacher (not verified) on Fri, 06/17/2011 - 14:22.
What if you have more than one certification? Are you recalled based upon the position you held? Why are all the other certifications not taken into account?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/16/2011 - 06:58.
PFT victorious-Promise Academies not exempt from layoffs!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/16/2011 - 07:04.
Where did you get that information?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/17/2011 - 13:16.
Liar, Liar, Pants of Fire !!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 18:21.
All I know in my heart is that you will be called back in September after the dust settles.
Post new comment