SRC: We're still committed to Ackerman
by Benjamin Herold on Aug 03 2011 Posted in Latest news
SRC Chairman Robert Archie and Commissioner Johnny Irizarry listen intently to the bleak budget news at Wednesday's special SRC session.
UPDATED: 8/3, 7:00 p.m.
PFT president Jerry Jordan has called for Ackerman's ouster. "I was asked if it was time for her to go, and I said 'yes,'" said Jordan, speaking of an interview he gave this morning on Fox 29. In a phone interview with the Notebook, he said that "she has become a distraction" and that his members believe that the superintendent "has lost all credibility."
Among other things, he said, teachers are "fed up" with having to teach Corrective Reading and Corrective Math, remedial curricula that many say are too rigid and stifle teachers' ability to be creative and respond to student needs as they see fit.
He also said that the PFT had not been notified of the decision to cut back on the planned expansion of Promise Academies next year. He learned about it from a staffer in the room at the SRC meeting this morning when the announcement was made. "There was absolutely no communication with the union about this,' he said. "There has been a total lack of willingness to collaborate."
Jordan also said that his union will not negotiate any contract concessions with Ackerman. The District is relying on union givebacks amounting to $75 million, or it will be required to make even further cuts beyond what has already been announced.
Asked whether he would negotiate possible contract concessions with new leadership, he said, "At this point, no. I have not talked to my board or members, but my gut response is 'no.'"
Jordan said that he is concerned about the upcoming school year, given the layoffs of hundreds of teachers and other drastic reductions in personnel and services. "The opening of school in September at this point I see as very problematic," Jordan said. "And if I see it, the administration should see it as well."
UPDATE: 8/3, 4:10 p.m.
The SRC has released the following statement:
"The School Reform Commission remains committed to working with Superintendent Arlene Ackerman as stated under her employment agreement with the School District of Philadelphia."
After Wednesday morning's special School Reform Commission meeting, Chairman Robert Archie responded to persistent rumors that the SRC is seeking to remove Superintendent Arlene Ackerman by saying that her contract is far from expiration.
"Dr. Ackerman has a contract, which the SRC extended for an additional year," said Archie. "Her contract is not even up. She has another year, til 2014."
In March, the SRC allowed Ackerman's contract to automatically be extended, from June 30, 2013 to June 30, 2014.
Ackerman was also in attendance at the meeting. Afterwards, her supporters asked her if she intends to stay on as superintendent.
"I have to have the support of the people who hired me," said Ackerman. "I think you should ask them."
The only other commissioner present on Wednesday, Johnny Irizarry, declined to comment when asked if Ackerman still has his support.
Comments (52)
Submitted by tom-104 on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 13:09.
I was at the SRC meeting and found Ackerman's demeanor strange. She did not crack a smile once, she did not acknowledge her supporters who were very vocal, she did not say thank you to the nine speakers from the floor who spoke in her support, she did not speak once, she kept a studied passive facial expression at all times. She left out a side door five seconds after the meeting was adjourned. I don't know what it means, but those are my observations.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 17:23.
It means she is trying to get $1.5 Million upon her exit and isn't sure she will be able to get it all.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 13:20.
Not suprised about Johnny Irizarry's lack of comments... thats what he's done since appointed... sit and look stupid.
Submitted by tom-104 on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 13:57.
Archie was the only one on the SRC who spoke and that was just about procedural matters for the meeting. SRC member Joseph Dworetsky participated by phone conference (the reason was not stated, but I assume it is because he lives in San Francisco). His only participation was voting on the changes to the budget. SRC member Denise McGregor Armrister was not in attendance.
Submitted by tom-104 on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 15:31.
For details on Dworetsky's living arrangement while remaining on the SRC see the Notebook at
http://bit.ly/qMUtTI
Also, check out the biographies of the SRC members at:
http://bit.ly/h3gjZN
(Click on their name to see their biography.)
Not one has experience with the School District of Philadelphia and only one has any connection with education at all!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 17:34.
Thank you for these links. The one member who has experience in education is definately a minority. I guess it's all been said in comments to the article about Dworetsky's living arrangement you reference. Completely outrageous, yet still in force. The current SRC, a majority that has experience in big business, and nonprofits. Nonprofits that rely on volunteer and foundation largesse, in turn relying on the pulling of emotional triggers. Not a good model for a working city that believes in Democracy, and equal opportunity. Maybe it would be a good thing for Governor Corbett to appoint those new candidates he can. Since he's so very fiscally responsible.
Submitted by tom-104 on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 21:41.
It should be noted that there are supposed to be five members on the SRC. I'm not sure of the history of the vacancy, but it hasn't been filled for a long time.
So Archie runs the meeting but has no comment about the revised budget, Irizarry has nothing to say, Dworetsky participates by phone probably from 3000 miles away, Armbister is a no show, and the fifth seat is occupied by a ghost. This is at a meeting to vote on $35 million in cuts to the SDP budget.
Does this look like a body that is one of the largest employers in the city and is responsible for the future of 165,000 public school children? The SRC is a ship which is taking on water fast. I wonder when the leaders will bail out.
Submitted by Ron Whitehorne on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 22:08.
On June 16th Pedro Ramos was nominated to fill the vacancy by Gov. Corbett.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 06:47.
It's high time our beloved Notebook or Inquirer do a serious evaluation of this State takeover. Looking at the SRC's track record, it is obvious high credentials do not equate to understanding education or valuing the City's children. Weighted Student Funding, which I hear is a major reason Ms. Ackerman was brought onboard, is another academic, misleading, out-of-touch idea, fraught with waste, duplication, and for a meager budget, very real dangers. Looking at recent events, there is a real possibility that NCLB/Title I may not be renewed in the next few years. Other than full day Kindergarten (this is closer to core curriculum than enrichment in my opinion), this would be no real loss for the majority of kids in Philadelphia, since the money was used to add ineffective bureaucratic positions and measures more damaging than helpful instead of enriching them. Restructuring means having a third party, accountable to the public, that can fairly hear any complaints against teachers, so that they are not afraid to actually teach and work. Not a parade of royalty that is only concerned with it's own profile.
Submitted by TeachYourChildrenWell (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 13:38.
I think Ackerman was offended at the parent's declaration that she was sent by God, as it implies Ackerman is not God.
Submitted by anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 14:13.
I enjoyed your comment and I like your name. Thank you for both.
I imagine Ackerman is also disappointed she isn't getting fired yet- she wants that severance package. I guess now she will blame her foolishness on the SRC for not supporting her.
Submitted by TeachYourChildrenWell (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 14:45.
: )
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 01:11.
LOVE it! (ha, ha, ha, ha)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 13:53.
Greetings,
I just signed the following petition addressed to: School Reform Commission/ Mayor Michael Nutter on Change.Org.
----------------
Fire Arlene Ackerman
Ackerman does not have the interest of our children and students in mind. The School Reform Commission and Mayor Nutter have the responsibility to replace her because she is not getting the job done. Ackerman faces over a 600 million dollar deficit and her handling of the schools budget is questionable. And now there is a cheating scandal on the horizon.
Our children need us to put an end to her era.
http://www.change.org/petitions/school-reform-commission-fire-arlene-ack...
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 13:54.
http://www.change.org/petitions/school-reform-commission-fire-arlene-ack...
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 14:40.
I signed this - thanks for the link!
Submitted by Teach (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 14:13.
What a misleading headline. It implies Ackerman has a year to fix things, when Archie meant that her contract was extended by a year. We have three hellacious years of her to survive.
Submitted by Teach (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 17:08.
OK, then. Thanks for re-working your headline, Notebook.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 14:39.
Who did the SRC consult in extending her contract? Governor Corbett, who just slashed funding while the SRC keeps her account intact? The SRC should pay for the superintendent's salary; Perhaps then they would be more fiscally sane. I can't understand how Mayor Nutter/the City's taxpayers can take this abuse from the State. Did the taxpayers have any say in her appointment? If not, her excesses should fall on the shoulders of those who did.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 16:30.
Big mistake, SRC. We are talking about many millions of dollars here, I know, but she isn't worth the paper her letterhead is printed on.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 19:53.
Teachers, this is you JOB that is on the line here! I have siphoned through the 700 + comments about cheating, and yet, no comments or any advice to offer for anyone that has no idea where they will be teaching next year.
We expect our students to be prepared in September, but us, as teachers, will be frantic!
We need answers! For those that Site Selected to a Promise Academy, and it is no longer going to be one, WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING! Will we have a job?
When you call 440, the phone only rings and rings. Would it be too much to ask for everyone to consider sending emails so that this process could be expedited? There is strength in numbers, and if a large enough requests or calls or made, maybe then, someone will know that we are afraid, scared, worried, and want some solace! Please, let's all stick together, and work ardently on finding out the status of our JOBS!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 20:53.
Why don't you just take a trip down to 440? It's harder to ignore someone when they're standing in front of you, demanding answers!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 07:28.
How many times are you going to repeat yourself. I find it ironic that only those parties that are exempt from being "laid off" are those that find the time to put vitriolic comments out here. If you were in the same situation, you would feel the same way as the thousands of others do. I don't think that teachers are asking too much in finding out some concrete answers with respect to their jobs. Valiant efforts to call or speak to someone go for naught. Or, you get an attitude by someone stating that they "cannot answer your question". If teachers ran their classrooms in this fashion, they would be written up or 204'd. I am sorry that those who are not in fear of losing their jobs would rather make insensitive comments than be empathetic to those that will. Many teachers who applied and were accepted to PA's had to do "demo lessons" for their prospective principals, and signed agreements that they will work at that prospective school. And, they gave up the right to Site Select at other schools. So,please, consider this.....when was the LAST time you had to do a "demo" lesson in order to retain your job? I rest my case. We would like answers. We work here too. New or not!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 07:31.
How many times are you going to repeat yourself. I find it ironic that only those parties that are exempt from being "laid off" are those that find the time to put vitriolic comments out here. If you were in the same situation, you would feel the same way as the thousands of others do. I don't think that teachers are asking too much in finding out some concrete answers with respect to their jobs. Valiant efforts to call or speak to someone go for naught. Or, you get an attitude by someone stating that they "cannot answer your question". If teachers ran their classrooms in this fashion, they would be written up or 204'd. I am sorry that those who are not in fear of losing their jobs would rather make insensitive comments than be empathetic to those that will. Many teachers who applied and were accepted to PA's had to do "demo lessons" for their prospective principals, and signed agreements that they will work at that prospective school. And, they gave up the right to Site Select at other schools. So,please, consider this.....when was the LAST time you had to do a "demo" lesson in order to retain your job? I rest my case. We would like answers. We work here too. New or not!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 20:54.
Why don't you just make a trip down to 440? It's harder to ignore someone when they're standing in front of you, demanding answers.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 02:13.
They want us to be scared... Scared enough to agree to anything they pull between now and whenever she leaves.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 09:24.
I totally agree! I have had to cancel all my summer plans to wait here in Philadelphia for an email about selecting a new school-that hasn't arrived yet.
I called the Union (bc 440 does not answer) and they told me arbitration was still taking place and that MAYBE by the end of next week we will received the email about selecting new schools.
Get rid of Ackerman, Promise Academies, and the SRC and lets start teaching again! This has come to the point where I am embarrassed for the Philadelphia SD.
Submitted by Anonymous teacher (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2011 - 10:39.
You canceled your summer plans? I just followed the PFT office's advice and appointed 2 proxies (daughter and one teacher friend) to go in for me -- I was able to check email daily and had their cell numbers. I gave them a prioritized list based on my certs and location. I'm glad I just went away and had a good time -- there's enough stress around here already. Also, this situation is so ridiculous that I figured that they might be as good as I could be in picking off a list, and it might have been fun to have somebody else to blame this year... :)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 20:52.
Why don't you just make a trip down to 440 and ask someone? It's harder to ignore a person when they're standing in front of you, demanding answers.
Submitted by CuriousPhilly (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 21:03.
Three valid reasons to remove Arlene Ackerman:
1. Cheating scandal on her watch
2. $664 million deficit on her watch
3. Inept handling of racial violence at South Philly HS
That ought to be enough. But won't somebody look into the use of discretionary money to buy the loyalty of those who keep showing up at SRC meetings deify the superintendent. That kind of worship can't come cheap!
Submitted by The Murph (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 21:32.
Forget about this wretched, corrupt place.
It's time to look elsewhere, maybe China or Thailand, where kids want to learn and don't curse you out.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 22:09.
Commissioner Armbrister husband was Mayor Nutter's Chief of Staff
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 22:35.
Promise Academies are a giant waste of money. Other interventions, or some of the interventions, would be more appropriate. Extra Corrective Reading/Corrective Math time is not successful. Enrichment activities are non-existent. The whole thing is completely disorganized. The parents who go (and are heard) at the meetings are all in the tank for Ackerman. I can't imagine that most Philly parents are that supportive of her.
Please fire her.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 09:29.
Corrective Math is a joke. The kids hate it, it is not beneficial, and its wastes more money we do not have.
Ackerman, JUST LEAVE!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 09:48.
Why should disorderly conduct be tolerated. Why should teachers have to give into the situations that parents do not know how to correct at home.. Why should administrations fear parents and why should good children be educated along with children who use schooling as an opportunity to spread antisocial behaviors. Since when has funding been allocated to support programs that do not promote positive behaviors. Teachers invest time and money above and beyond their responsibility, they should not be spared. Schools should be scheduled in a way that money is not put to waste but rather, where students learn to use their basic skills in a way that is beneficial to them and their school community.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 17:05.
The corrective programs need to go! It goes without saying that they go against everything we teachers know about how kids learn. They suck the life out of my day. It's hard to say who hates it more-the kids or the teachers. In my school, the scheduling and transitioning causes so much chaos and upheaval. Groups have to sit in hallways and closets, students roam the hallways, it's cancelled a lot because of teacher absences, there are so many behavioral problems that no remedial learning actually occurs. It creates an even bigger mess out of an already big enough mess.
(And a side note: Do these masterminds realize they are forcing the SRA direct instruction program which requires small class sizes sitting in teacher-centered forward facing rows, AND the Imagine It program which requires a student discussion centered U-shape? Duh, Hello?)
To accommodate for the required minutes mandated for the reading and math blocks, we had to eliminate science and social studies from our rosters. We were told to INTEGRATE science and social studies into our math and literacy lessons. As if WE DECIDE what we teach at any point in time throughout the day! My day is entirely mapped out, minute by minute, and no where in those minutes is there time for integration of anything. We are told the exact page number and problems to teach! We are told the exact comprehensions questions to ask. But science and social studies grades must be given, and 4 times a year now. How ridiculous is that!?
Meanwhile, what do the corrective programs "count" for? There's no real system of record keeping. No one at 440 could manage to get the "Information Station" up and running, so we could enter all of our precious data every Friday. We are going into our third year of this remedial program and a majority of our kids are STILL not testing out of it. It distracts entire schools from REAL learning.
I'm only in my fifth year teaching in the district and I'm SO DONE!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2011 - 13:25.
I am in my 13th year so I am am half way to retirement lol.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 17:06.
The corrective programs need to go! It goes without saying that they go against everything we teachers know about how kids learn. They suck the life out of my day. It's hard to say who hates it more-the kids or the teachers. In my school, the scheduling and transitioning causes so much chaos and upheaval. Groups have to sit in hallways and closets, students roam the hallways, it's cancelled a lot because of teacher absences, there are so many behavioral problems that no remedial learning actually occurs. It creates an even bigger mess out of an already big enough mess.
(And a side note: Do these masterminds realize they are forcing the SRA direct instruction program which requires small class sizes sitting in teacher-centered forward facing rows, AND the Imagine It program which requires a student discussion centered U-shape? Duh, Hello?)
To accommodate for the required minutes mandated for the reading and math blocks, we had to eliminate science and social studies from our rosters. We were told to INTEGRATE science and social studies into our math and literacy lessons. As if WE DECIDE what we teach at any point in time throughout the day! My day is entirely mapped out, minute by minute, and no where in those minutes is there time for integration of anything. We are told the exact page number and problems to teach! We are told the exact comprehensions questions to ask. But science and social studies grades must be given, and 4 times a year now. How ridiculous is that!?
Meanwhile, what do the corrective programs "count" for? There's no real system of record keeping. No one at 440 could manage to get the "Information Station" up and running, so we could enter all of our precious data every Friday. We are going into our third year of this remedial program and a majority of our kids are STILL not testing out of it. It distracts entire schools from REAL learning.
I'm only in my fifth year teaching in the district and I'm SO DONE!
Submitted by Rich Migliore (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 17:32.
Back when we started our reading program at UCHS in 1976, the administration bought SRA Corrective Reading kits. They were so bad and so useless that we threw them in our book room and they never were used again. That is the worst way to teach reading.
it was stuff like that that kicked off the "whole language movement." Authentic materials like interesting books, articles, short stories, poems, fables, etc. Is what develops true growth in reading ability.
Of course, you need a teacher that knows how to teach reading. Like you!
The schools as test taking factories mentality is destroying our schools and dumbing down instruction. That was a major theme at the Save Our Schools Conference.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 19:17.
Whole language alone didn't work very well, either. In reality, it's a combination that really helps. Build the direct language skills (i.e. phonics, decoding, etc.) and provide engaging materials to practice those skills. The biggest problems with Corrective Reading is that it's developmentally inappropriate for high school students. Direct Instruction type stuff (though more jazzed up than the CR curriculum) can be pretty effective with younger kids, especially used in combination with engaging literacy materials. A strong phonics/decoding background is very useful in developing strong readers. It's just very hard to build those skills if you miss the time period (i.e. early grades) when students can still be fairly easily engaged in that type of instruction. Once students start to develop more advanced thinking capabilities during adolescence, it's pretty hard to engage them in building basic skills, and if it is to be successful, it definitely has to be tied very closely to engaging reading materials that will interested high school students (i.e. not about mustard jars).
A pretty good analogy is preparing for athletic competition. If all you ever do is scrimmage (whole language), students might be engaged, but their skills may remain underdeveloped as they rely on various coping mechanisms that allow them to get by with weak fundamentals (or phonics/decoding/etc, in the case of reading). On the other hand if all you ever do are skill drills, the players will hate the sport and just quit (or quit reading). The best coaches provide a balance -- fun competition that resembles the real game alongside targeted drills to build important skills. All generally framed by a relationship between teacher and student in which the students trust the teacher enough not to resist every exercise. Corrective Reading doesn't allow that to be developed when it's taught in high schools and the teachers teaching it have no contact with students other than teaching Corrective Reading (or Math).
As usual, the SDP did a decent job of identifying a problem (the lack of basic literacy skills in a very large portion of students), and took a program that could be part of the solution in certain contexts (Corrective Reading) and made the the ONLY solution across all grade levels.
Submitted by Rich Migliore (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 22:12.
It is very nice to read your analysis. You obviously know your stuff. A good teacher pulls from all areas of instruction and uses a variety of methods to tailor her/his instruction to the needs and abilities of his students. Whole language was certainly not a silver bullet. As you say, it is difficult to teach phonetic awareness to older students. That is one of the issues of reading instruction. it is also why we "coach" reading. Reading is not a set of isolated skills. It Is an ability. It needs to be developed as an ability. I use the analogy of coaching baseball. You raise ability by slowly increasing the level of challenge. And you work on the areas and skills that need improvement so when they read for real they develop those abilities in the context of real reading. The key to higher level reading/thinking is to develop comprehension ability using authentic materials for authentic analysis. Most instruction should take place through reading authentic materials. A great teacher masters the art of Socratic Questioning and masters the art of the probing question. Like good lawyers, good teachers think on their feet and know how to use spontaneity. That can not be done with a scripted lesson. Teachers must design their own lessons and their own courses in keeping with a Core curriculum. That is why teaching reading can be so much more fun than teaching English. You have more freedom to choose your materials to fit the interests of your students. At least I did when I taught.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 21:54.
http://www.change.org/petitions/school-reform-commission-fire-arlene-ack...
Submitted by anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/05/2011 - 19:20.
I guess Jerry Jordan has now decided that enough heavyweight people have come out against Ackerman that it's finally safe for him to go on record and speak out against her. What courage! And note the recent change in his language from absolutely not renegotiating our contract to not renogotiating as long as Ackerman is superintendent. Get ready for him to pull the rug out from under us & open our contract up the minute Ackerman's resignation is announced.
Don't let him do it! NO GIVEBACKS!!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2011 - 13:31.
Trust me---he won't pull that stunt this time around. As a matter of fact, there are more teachers angry about this contract and how it was handled last vote that I believe there will be a fight if something tries to get "snuck" through again. Jordan is on thin ice. If he doesn't produce then someone else can fill his shoes. All UNION members need to do is get a petition together and request him being replaced and that you are being misrepresented and he is not working in your best interests.(Ex: the last contract vote where more people shouted "No" for this contract but was quickly hushed and rammed through). Maybe people need to vote for the INDEPENDENT TEAM come vote time.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/05/2011 - 22:00.
I'm no fan of Ackerman but Archie needs to be in jail and I seriously mean that. He's just a crook and everybody knows it.
Submitted by Taxpayer (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2011 - 08:45.
Ackerman should be fired. Forget bonuses, the taxpayers should demand clawbacks from her bloated salary. I don't know the specifics of the situation, but if the people she is supposed to be leading hate her that much, I trust their judgement. I don't know what that is, but it's not leadership.
Here's the situation. Our country, and Europe as well, have been in a debt deflationary Depression since early 2008. The powers that be have tried to ameliorate it by borrowing money and using it on stimulus. Well we can't solve a problem of too much debt with still more debt. Europe is finding that out right now with their debt crisis.It will come to our shores in 3-5 years. So everyone will have to sacrifice. We have 3.7 million people in this country who will run out of extended unemployment insurance by the end of the year. What will happen to them? That is what worries me most.
So when you union teachers start the negotiations, I hope you will keep those people in mind. There are alot of reasons how we got here, but we are here. It's very real and it's not changing anytime soon. If you don't give some concessions, you are literally taking the food out of the mouth of a new homeless person. That's the reality of the situation.
Submitted by tom-104 on Sat, 08/06/2011 - 09:29.
The other part of this reality is that is if we give concessions we no longer have a union. The issue is not a measly pay raise. What contract will mean anything if what was agreed to by both parties can be changed by one side at will? No contract in any situation will mean anything anymore.
Without a union it is open season on the educational system. The administration has carte blanche to do whatever they want in terms of salary, benefits, classroom size, prep time, whatever they want. There will be even more layoffs added to those unemployed without unemployment insurance that you are worried about.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2011 - 10:06.
Nicely explained, Tom.
It has never been about the raises. Unions have made it possible for the rise of the Middle Class in American society, without Unions, the Bill Gates, Sam Walton's (Rockefellers', Carnegie's) could simply overwork and under pay employees. Union's give employees a voice and a say in the work they perform. Unions also insure that all these benefits and rights that employees enjoy (health care, workers Comp., pensions, sick days, safety rules, 8 hour work day, overtime pay etc.), NONE of which were voluntarily given to employees BEFORE Unions came in to play as the worker's representatives. The key to this relationship (between employers and employees) is the legal status and enforcement of Collective Bargaining agreements. As YOU rightly put it, if the contract can be ignored/cancelled at will by one side, it means nothing and we are right back to where we started back in the days of Rockefeller and Carnegie.
Hard earned, and fought for, rights that are "given away" are rarely gotten back again. The PFT (and CASA, SEIU and School Police) need to stand their ground and protect their members.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/07/2011 - 09:17.
Tom--104----Bingo. All unions are under attack with this contrived financial charade. Wall Street is raking in money like never before. We're not broke, it's just that the rich want to dismantle citizen's rights like unions so they can get richer. We need to FIGHT and do whatever is necessary to keep those rights. Concessions are not the answer as it will never stop once it begins. Archie should seriously be in jail for all his shenanigans and of course, St. Arlene needs to go and I'll drive her wherever she wants. We have no credibility at all with her here especially after she threatened to cancel our contract.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/07/2011 - 09:54.
I totally agree....why don't more teachers stand up and fight. This is Union Busting at it's finest. Does the PFT and Jerry Jordan see this? If we give in, you're right, they'll just keep taking.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/07/2011 - 10:25.
Yes, and it's ALL UNIONS that are under attack, not just ours. This a is crucial time in history and we need to either accept being serfs again or empowered people. I choose the latter and am more than willing to fight for it. Corporations are always trying to increase their profit margins and what easier way to do that then to not have to pay their workers a reasonable wage. The Tea Party CRAZIES are behind all of this and we, the citizens, put them in positions of power because ELECTIONS MATTER. Hopefully, clear thinking people will have learned their lesson
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/07/2011 - 17:08.
The most leverage people of all stripes and sides have now is on Mayor Nutter and Governor Corbett to effect sweeping change to the SRC. From personnel to process, budget to curriculum. Wholesale change, with direct pressure on both leaders.
I think (more like I'm sensing) they are more on peoples side than ever before. Because it's about the children and it's in the Commonwealth near and far term economic interests.
And especially after Ackermans tenure and Archies tenure of failure. Those two have lost all credibility with both leaders. The big change up is coming, but you folks on the posts here have to up the temperature on The Gov and Mayor (and relevant officials) specifically.
Forget elections for boards members, that's a non-starter and will create more chaos than less (think corruption is bad now, imagine corrupt insiders doing school elections)....but think big about what works in the system and elevate it and radically jitteson what does not work. Then aggressively and radically come up with new ideas that can work. In other words, think like New Orleans......
Be creative here. You may have a more sympathetic ear than you think.....
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