Published: October 5, 2010
Judge Rules Chicago Ouster of Over 700 Teachers Was Mishandled
By
Azam Ahmed, The Chicago Tribune (MCT)
In a blow to the Chicago Public Schools, a federal judge on Monday
sided with the Chicago Teachers Union by ruling that last summer's
layoffs of more than 700 tenured teachers was handled improperly.
The decision by U.S. District Judge David Coar follows a
months-long battle between the union and district officials over the
termination of teachers who are typically protected by their union
contract.
Nearly 1,300 teachers—more than 60 percent of them tenured—were
laid off before school started this year in light of what the district
said was a gaping budget hole.
Under Coar's order, the district has 30 days to work with the
union on a process that would give tenured teachers "a foot in the door"
in pursuing current job openings. The order also bars future layoffs
from taking place "in a similarly unlawful manner."
The teachers union was quick to applaud the decision, while the
district continues to believe it complied with state law in handling the
layoffs. Of about 749 tenured teachers who were let go, 417 have been
rehired in the system, CPS officials said.
The district issued a statement saying it is considering options including a possible appeal.
At a hearing before Coar in mid-September, union attorneys argued
that the teachers were fired without a hearing, violating their right to
due process.
Typically, tenured teachers who are laid off continue to be paid
for up to 10 months while they look for another district job. CPS argued
that when teachers are laid off for economic reasons, there is no
requirement for severance.
The issue of teacher layoffs intensified when schools chief Ron
Huberman was given permission by the Chicago Board of Education to lay
off teachers based on their performance.
But the district never gave a full accounting of how many
unsatisfactory teachers were fired, and Coar noted in his opinion that
most layoffs hit teachers who had not gotten unsatisfactory reviews.
Teachers who were laid off despite superior and excellent ratings resented that their layoffs were painted as merit-based.
Evelyn McGuire, a citywide special-education teacher, said she was
not rated poorly in her job and felt mugged by the abrupt layoff
without any benefits.
"It makes a big difference, not just for the money, but just that
we were right," McGuire said. "I'm not sure what all is in the ruling;
I'm just hoping this doesn't have to happen to other people."
But the district might have a good chance if it appeals, said Terry Smith, a DePaul University law professor.
"Essentially the court concedes there is no (case law) out there
that is directly on point," Smith said. "This is an opening for an
appellate court to step in and say our analysis of the law is
different."
In yet another example of the tension between the union and the
school system, union officials have filed more than 270 grievances on
behalf of laid-off teachers since July. CPS has denied all of them, the
union says.
While the Obama Administration pushes its Blueprint for reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the regulations under President Bush's No Child Left Behind remain in place. For many local school districts, the desire to fend off the takeover of schools by state agencies is leading to drastic actions -- namely, firing the current faculty. First in Rhode Island. Now in Georgia. Soon in Oklahoma. And on ... and on ... and on.
Click on the link below to read the complete article:
Who knew a school cafeteria could be so much fun?
A space where hundreds of Philadelphia charter school students have been eating their lunches during mundane weekdays has been doubling in its off-hours as nightclub, offering dancing and drinking despite an expired liquor license.
Click on the link below to read the complete article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/30/AR2010033002002_pf.html
Article from Teachers For Social Justice who oppose Chicago Public Schools' Renaissance 2010 Plan. Text originally from
www.teachersforjustice.org, January 6, 2005
Teachers for Social Justice is a network of Chicago area teachers committed to critical, anti-racist, multicultural, participatory, democratic education. We believe that real school improvement requires the full participation of those with the most stake in high quality public education for all students –families, students, community members, and committed teachers and administrators. We oppose Chicago Public Schools' Renaissance 2010 Plan for the following reasons:
Click on the link below to read the complete article:
http://www.areachicago.org/p/issues/issue-1/position-on-renaissance-2/
Even in the cold rain, Danielle Jones would rather stand on the street and wait for her father to pick her up from her high school on Chicago's South Side than walk or take the bus, fearing the fights that start in school will be settled later on the streets.
That violence has increasingly turned deadly — including the vicious fatal beating of her classmate, 16-year-old Derrion Albert, whose after school death was captured on a cell phone video.
"It's fights everywhere — in front of the lunchroom, outside of school," said Jones, 15. "It's terrible, and nobody's doing nothing about it."
Activists say the escalating violence among Chicago's teens may have roots in an unlikely place — an ambitious plan to improve education that's also thrown rival gangs together in an often-volatile daily mix.
Click on the link below to read Chicago teen deaths spike with Renaissance 2010 and watch the video Renaissance 2010 - what it is, why it matters
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/chicago-teen-deaths-spike-renaissance-2010
Watch this short, but important documentary called Labor Beat: The Struggle Against Renaissance 2010.
Here are excerpts from the Community Hearing at Chicago's Malcom X College on January 10, 2009, highlighting testimonies of teachers union members, community organizations, students and parents. The hearing considered: At the current pace, 50% of all the Chicago Public Schools will be privatized by 2020. How will this impact students, parents, teachers, communities?
Click on the link below to view Labor Beat: The Struggle Against Renaissance 2010:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4615357395093985456#docid=-7228229755697514793
A look back of nearly three years ago, from the film Renaissance 2010: From the Front Lines, is interesting to see, when compared to what is happening to public education, today.
Here is an example. Note that teacher unions are seen as unimportant. Needless, if you will. That viewpoint is what is taking place, today, by our current administartion in Washington, D.C. Read the following excerpt from the article review of the film:
Why are unions important anyway? This is the question that Jackson Potter and Albert Ramirez, two Chicago Public School teachers, explore in their independently produced documentary on Chicago’s flagship school policy known as Renaissance 2010.
Click on the link below to read the complete article from Dissident Voice:
http://dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/renaissance-2010-from-the-front-lines/
Click on the link below to view the film Renaissance 2010: From the Front Lines
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4615357395093985456#