Once again we have had to set up a new SAUSD corruption thread as the last one started to run slow with all the comments on it.
Our schools are in crisis today – not just here in Santa Ana but all over the state. The only thing we know for sure is that we are going to take more budget hits.
I am amazed that the SAUSD hired back all their laid off administrators. How crazy is that? Class sizes are growing, good teachers are laid off, and the union, as usual, is asleep at the wheel.
We will continue to reason through all this here at the Orange Juice blog! We can but hope for the best…
I will stop when I am ready to stop. There you go. That’s just another example of “them” trying to shut me up, but I don’t fold under pressure. I am entitled to speak and if you don’t want to read…don’t. Personal attacks make this blog more interesting and give Art higher ratings…in fact this blog just went from 8 to 1 today. That just confirmed what I was saying.
Jill has done a lot for us Riff’ed teachers. Not only has she done a lot, but so has Patricia. I want to thank both of them for doing all that they have done and continuing to fight for those who are laid off. Not only are they fighting for those who are laid off, but they are fighting for the student’s education in SAUSD. Jill keep doing what you have been doing girl.
Jill, I know you’re very concerned about the RIFs still outstanding.
There is one comment you made above that might be causing confusion: “I wish that the district would make lowering class sizes at the middle school, high school and then at the elementary school levels the #1 priority for this district.” It sounds like you’re saying that, of the three levels, elementary has the lowest priority. I understand that intermediate and secondary class sizes must also be reduced, but I think elementary is especially urgent right now because the certificated RIFs still outstanding are mostly, if not all, related to the increase in class size at that level.
As you know, the State provides funding for reducing class size at elementary which, along with some funding from other sources, could be used to fully restore Class Size Reduction in Grades 1, 2, and 3 at 20:1, thereby permitting the lowering of class sizes in the years when students are learning to read, as well as the recession of a large number, if not all, RIFs.
Hopefully, the Board will FULLY restore CSR at Tuesday’s Board Meeting. That possibility still exists.
Jill,
Do you understand why I’m saying that I believe elementary CSR is the immediate priority in terms of rescinding RIFs? Do you agree?
How come every time someone disagrees with you, RED VIXEN, you call them a union hack. You are just a self serving BLOG HACK with very little creativity and class. And this creates traffic? Eight posts by the same person is not traffic.
#207
Usually when some Negative Nancy shows up to this thread they are from the union. Are YOU?
Who are the “we” you are referring to? Who else are you speaking up for?
Well I get to learn how to administer meds to children this week. Do I have to have any knowledge or background to do this? Nope just have a nurse (who will not be on campus all day) show me how to do this. Oh..I also have to do my job, a job in the front office another job in another office when needed. Then of course be sure I give the right meds to certain kids..hey maybe even learn how to give a injection! WHAT THE HECK! I have no background in this.. oh but if something goes wrong..It won’t be the Admin’s fault..not the nurses fault but my fault. Yeah..I just can’t wait for the school year to start.
I also get to administer medication to student’s! You are not alone! Am I scared? You bet your arse! Should I say no? I could but then again as one lady told me “If you say no you are not a team player” I like how the person above stated that if something went wrong all would point the finger that that person-not anyone else. I understand. I am new at this school. I have been placed-I am lucky to have a job-BUT while they have TOO MANY ADMININSTRATORS AT THE SCHOOL SITES (COME ONE DO THEY NEED SO MANY? -THEY SURE PUT THE BARE BONES OF OTHER CLASSIFIED WORKERS AT SITES HEAVEN FORBID THEY COULD GET A FULL TIME NURSE’S ASSISTANT FOR ONE ADMINISTRATOR THEY COULD DO WITHOUT) Here we are giving some kids their medicine. Sorry all..I’m nervous too just like the person above. Good luck to all Classified workers this year. There are lot’s of us in the same boat.
I think that all grades at all levels should be lowered. Not one of them is more important than the next. Patricia, I know that you have a higher agenda to become the union president and let me make myself clear….I don’t care who does this (takes the credit) you or susan….I just would like to see them all lowered. I am finding this “who gets the credit for doing it” is really ridiculous. Take swipes at me. I am NOT running for office nor did I EVER have ANY intention of doing so. This shouldn’t be about that “who gets the credit” and quite frankly I am tired of hearing who gets it. I don’t plan to run for office so you are taking swipes at someone who isn’t even running. If I run anywhere…it will be to vote for my dog and I don’t even have one.
Hello Classified folks,
Have you considered talking to your union executive or union president? Clearly you perceive this as a legal and professional issue. they have union attorneys that you can speak to about just this issue.
you will probably have to INSIST on a legal consultation, but you really should consider it NOW.
You all need to network as much as possible. The classifieds have had to shoulder the lion’s share of cuts and workplace mistreatment which is now resulting in a number of PERB suits filed by the people in the warehouse, dso/police, and nutrition departments.
PERB suits target both the union and the sausd for corrective measures. The school district could not get away with this kind of thing if there was adequate oversight and parental involvement. Not all school districts are losing their nursing staff. Health and safety take an obvious back seat in the way of priorities for SAUSD, but it really does not have to be that way.
Best of luck this coming school year. Congratulations on hanging onto your job and weathering all the changes. You all are the rock of school functions.
#208 & # 209
Your comments made me curious about the law and how it’s written about you administering medications to students. Since I’m not a lawyer what I found was a tad confusing and typically convoluted. The law goes from the Ed Code to the California Code of Regulations and the Department of Education advisories.
The short answer is yes you can administer some medications that you are trained to administer. What seemed to stand out everywhere was one of the requirements. That requirement was that you are willing to administer the medications. No wonder someone told one of you to be a “team player”. Unless your job description lists this as part of your job duties it would seem you have the option.
If it were me I would take Red’s advice and contact the union for a start.
#208 and 209
I would like to interpret the term “team player” for you… it really means you are voluntold to do whatever admin wants you to agree to do and that you have every right and many good reasons not to do.
I heard that the board is concentrating on classifed now.
# 214 (or anyone else)
When you get some details please put them up here for all to read. CSEA operates under a veil of “black ops” so details are far and few between. One of the reasons classified employees get hammered so badly is because no one knows publically what the district, board, or the union hacks have agreed to until it is too late.
I realize that, unlike the teachers, classified employees are used to getting beat up and are less likely to complain here but look what it did for the teachers. A significant number united and got some of their jobs back. Bottom line is when you shine the light on what is going on and expose the facts, some good comes from it. Because classified people are less likely to organize and fight the best weapon you have is public exposure.
Try to make your information as credible as possible. If you must post comments that you can’t confirm make sure you qualify that comment as a rumor and you have no proof because if you don’t qualify it the district and union will simply deny it. Rumors are usually based on fact but often overblown by the time they are fully public.
Thanks to some of the teachers, a lot of the right people read this blog now so classified people it’s your turn to expose what is going on. It’s all up to you.
NOTICE:
I just received an email from SAUSD Board Member, John Palacio detailing DOZENS OF JOB OPENINGS AT SAUSD.
I cannot reprint them here because of format issues, but if YOU are interested in getting a copy, please send an email directly to John:
jpalacio@pacbell.net
He’s been a friend to employees, the school district and the community. He sends out periodic email blasts with news he’s gathered. His email blast is confidential with a blind carbon copy, he sends it from his home and he is VERY responsive if you have questions/complaints/comments/need help. All you have to do is hit reply or give him a phone call.
jpalacio@pacbell.net
Or here is the edjoin link for the jobs, too:
http://www.edjoin.org/searchResults.aspx?countyID=30&districtID=513
Thanks, Art!
John is accessible to parents and community members, thank goodness.
Lots of teachers being rescinded today.
SAEA updated their site.
What happened at the meeting these evening?
140 teachers are still on the RIF list but have been assured that they will be able to sub in order of priority by the RIF list. Since there are usually about 200 subs per day, they should be making some decent money. Hopefully they will all be back eventually.
Arbitration over class size has resulted in some interesting developments which will essentially cap elementary at 36 and high school at 40. New positions will be created if elementary goes over the cap and high school teachers will be paid $10 per day for each student over the cap up to $40 per day. Intermediate arbitration will be decided in October and probably result in the same deal as the high schools. Hopefully these consequences will provide incentive enough for the district to start paying attention to class size, consequences were the only way anything would happen and we are looking forward to something like this being written in to the new contract.
The district is trying to re-instate teacher recess, before and after school duties. They are trying to find all sorts of ways to cut teacher pay. Negotiations will be long and hard for the new contract.
These are the things that stood out to me at last night’s meeting, but feel free to add in what I missed everyone.
With friends like SAEA, who needs enemies? Yesterday, SAEA presented two agreements made with the District to “resolve” the class size grievances.
We used to be limited to averages of 33.5 at high school and 32 at elementary. According to the new agreements, the new high school limit(cap) will be 40. The fourth and fifth grade average increases to 36. (Fortunately for intermediate, they apparently weren’t involved in these grievances and remain at 32.75.)
The elementary average might be lower at schools with a total of 8 or more fourth and fifth grade teachers – 35.8 for 8 teachers, 35.1 for 9 teachers, 34.8 for 10 teachers – but since the agreement was set in the context of the rest of section 9.4 of the contract, there’s no guarantee. The language doesn’t even clarify that RSP students count as 1 student instead of the ½ of a student they used to count as for purposes of computing averages.
Part of the new high school agreement reads: “Effective October 1, for courses with six or more sections per school (excluding Performing Arts and P.E.), teachers who have classes with more than 40 students on the roster for 10 consecutive school days, will be compensated at the rate of $10 per student per day, for a maximum of $40 per day.”
There are provisions for release time for teachers of courses with five or fewer sections.
These agreements were presented as victories, in part because the contract uses meaningless language about the District making a “good-faith effort” to keep class size at certain limits. But section 9.4, which these agreements override, already had firm language for lower averages.
(Previous language – emphasis added)
9.4 If the average class size increases to (or exceeds) the following, additional staffing
unit(s) (equivalent of one teacher) SHALL be provided to be used for direct classroom
assistance.
9.4.1 Elementary 32.0 students
9.4.3 High School 33.5 students
Anyone else agree an Unfair Labor Practice Charge needs to be filed? Please contact me: patriciaoneil7@aol.com
Intermediate does have a class size arbitration scheduled for October.
So, I’m still a bit confused. What is the cap for third grade? I’ve heard it might be 27 or possibly remain at 30.
Also, If an intermediate teacher has 38-41 students enrolled in each class, will that teacher receive additional compensation?
And just for the record, 4th and 5th grades were never held to 32 students. I, personally, have had many classes at 36 to 38.
I’m so glad that there are so many knowledgeable people posting on this site! Thanks for all of your hard work!
The agreement from arbitration for elementary is for grades 4-5, sorry I forgot to include that. The district has never held to the contract in regards to class size. The clear problem was that the language provided absolutely no consequences if they neglected to follow the contract. For many years (I believe since Juan Lopez joined the district) they have been counting our prep periods at secondary as a “class of 0 students” to be included in the average. There was no official way to calculate average in the contract, and although it should be pretty clear how to do this, the district refused to do it correctly. I’m hoping that the new contract will delineate the exact method for the calculation for our math challenged and ethically dishonest district. The problem in the elementary schools is the whole idea of an average, where one teacher can have 27 students and another 40. I believe that the introduction of the idea of caps is a positive step in the right direction and as the budget mess is improved (who knows when), we will see a drop in these caps to reflect our actual contract. Everyone needs to remember that these are steps. I have been personally involved in this issue and I’ve seen how convoluted the district can be on this issue. I would request a little patience as the union tries to move a very slow process in the right direction. While I understand Patricia’s point, the district has never in good faith attempted to follow the contract.
As of now, there is no consequence for any class size violation at the intermediate level, this grievance was a bit later than the others, so it’s coming in October.
I believe that I’ll probably be called a “union hack” for this but I also believe that we should acknowledge when small steps towards improving things for both teachers and students occur.
tmare….
I am a probationary teacher and if I sub I will not be making any money at all. I do not get the daily rate after 20 days according to ed code. Subbing only gives 100 a day, that is 500 a week pretax. Unemployment gives me 430 a week after taxes, not much of a difference there. I am going to look for another job or stay unemployed and work under the table. I think most probationary teachers will not sub at all because it is pointless to sub at that pay rate. I hope we all get rescinded back.
In a startling acknowledgment that the Los Angeles school system cannot improve enough schools on its own, the city Board of Education approved a plan Tuesday that could turn over 250 campuses — including 50 new multimillion-dollar facilities — to charter groups and other outside operators.
The plan, approved on a 6-1 vote, gives Supt. Ramon C. Cortines the power to recommend the best option to run some of the worst-performing schools in the city as well as the newest campuses. Board member Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte dissented.
When will our community start an earnest dialogue on how SAUSD cannot improve on it’s own as well?
It’s time to end the shennigans of the adults and place the youth of our community first.
It is the union stranglehold on the schools that prevents any public school district from improving. The INSANE idea that good teachers should be riffed when teachers who are commonly known to be mean, incompetent, and/or ineffective are allowed to stay is only one shining example from recent times of how despite their rhetoric, the teachers’ unions are only interested in perpetuating their own power. Notwithstanding their rhetoric and slick ads on radio and television, teachers’ unions have no real interest in improving the quality of education. Tenure after two year and having to reject billions in federal aid because of fear of realistic evaluations are two more shining examples of how teachers’ unions will do anyting to protect their own power even if it means destroying the education of California students. By the way, is there anybody else out there who was offended by having their hard earned money contributed to the No on 8 campaign without even being asked permission?
tmare,
I agree that steps towards improving things, even small steps, should be acknowledged. In this case, however, I think we have taken a big step backwards. There will be no consequences for past violations and class sizes will be permitted to increase in the future.
As you said, the District has continued to violate the contract in terms of class size. The grievance procedure is the means by which the District can be compelled to follow the contract. On each grievance, possible remedies (or consequences to the District) are stated. In the case of class size, it is obviously not possible to correct violations for the year when it is over or almost over. One possible remedy, therefore, is to retroactively compensate the teachers for the number of students in their class in excess of the contract limitations. The compensation, for example, could be equivalent to the ADA revenue received for that student. This solution for past year violations could have been sought through arbitration.
Consequences for not following the language are not included in the contract itself, but are imposed by the arbitrator. It’s the union’s job to see that the case is taken to arbitration if necessary. Once the District sees that the union takes a strong position and follows through with consequences, it will become more in the District’s interest to follow the contract than not. The union must communicate to the District that violations, especially where the contract language is clear, will not be tolerated.
Of course, if there is ambiguity in the contract language, it is not guaranteed that an arbitrator will adopt the union’s interpretation. In this case, however, the language was clear. The word “shall” is not permissive as is “may” or “good faith effort.” The previous language read as follows (emphasis added):
9.4 If the average class size increases to (or exceeds) the following, additional staffing
unit(s) (equivalent of one teacher) SHALL be provided to be used for direct classroom
assistance.
9.4.1 Elementary 32.0 students
9.4.2 Intermediate 32.75 students
9.4.3 High School 33.5 students
This staffing was not provided and grievances were filed. Unfortunately, they were not pursued to arbitration, at least in the case of elementary – it’s not clear at what point the high school grievance was settled.
I agree that there was no clear way to calculate class size average in the contract. The new agreement imposes a cap of 40 at high school (some classes excluded). However, an average is still used for fourth and fifth, and it does not appear that the new language will eliminate past problems when making the calculations. One problem is lack of language specifying that Kindergarten numbers will not be included when calculating elementary averages, and with Kinder capped at 31, this would increase the allowable fourth and fifth grade class size. And, while twenty-to-one classes were already clearly excluded, the District insisted on also including those classes when making their calculations. That, however, would only have helped an arbitrator see the bad faith exhibited by the District. But then, the District wouldn’t be concerned about that if they know they’re working with a weak union that’s more interested in representing the District’s positions than those of its members (even when student achievement is negatively impacted).
While there is no guarantee that the remedy/consequence mentioned above, retroactive compensation, would be the one imposed by an arbitrator, the arbitrator’s decision couldn’t have been less favorable than the agreement entered into by SAEA. As it is, no consequences were imposed for previous years’ contract violations and we move forward with class sizes allowed to be higher than before.
SAEA(USD) will no doubt have an entirely phony and drawn out argument over the contract, then the SAEA will endorse a sellout deal to its members. The fake election will be held, no teachers will really know what’s happening unless they’re in with the SAEA(USD) UberKommand. Votes will be “tallied” and the planned results will be endorsed. All will proceed as planned.
#226
I apologize for leaving out the fact that the probationary RIF’d teachers are really getting the shaft in this situation. I am curious as to how many of the remaining RIF’d teachers are actually tenured, I’m think that the district will eventually make sure that they are hired back since they have to pay them their full salary anyway.
I personally sat in on a few class size meetings with a small group of district and union people, most people just don’t realize how impossible it can be to deal with the district on this issue. The games that are played are unbelievable.
“Jim Alford from CA Dept of Ed does not recommend ‘gaming the system'”!
QEIA schools = 20 to 1
SAUSD doesn’t care about students or the law.
They’ve learned that they can feign “ignorance”, get a “slap on the wrist”, and pocket money while proffering a less than excellent education.
tmare,
You are right the games are just ridiculous. I too think that they will hire back all tenure teachers because it is too much money on them. They have to figure out how to give them all sub jobs by seniority. As for probationary teachers, we do not cost them anything, so I can see them not hiring us back. In the long run, the students suffer,but this is SAUSD we are talking about. They could care less, but if parents were up in arms at them, they would start to care. However, most of our parents are too afraid to even go to the district and speak out. At my school before, they were always told to not go there at all to make complaints. If this were any other district, parents would be at the district in a matter of seconds. Our parents have no true voice in my opinion or they are not taught that they can have a voice.
#232
Your comment actually goes to the heart of the matter. The district has learned time and time again that whatever measly consequences they may receive for acting in bad faith, the payoff far outweighs the consequences. This is why the district must be treated like a little child, complete with clear consequences for bad behavior. The union should settle for nothing less than something that really hurts for ignoring the contract, and that can only mean money, nothing else seems to matter to them.
Tmare,
I’m sure playing games is part of the District’s strategy – anything to delay or avoid the imposition of consequences or a decision by an arbitrator. The union doesn’t have to play along if it appears no solution is forthcoming. They can use the grievance/arbitration process and resolve the issue if it’s a contractual matter. The games would probably stop if they serve no purpose.
I agree with Wilson teacher on the QEIA issue. It is a shame that the District plans on taking advantage of a legal loophole to increase class sizes at QEIA schools. If the District does not make adequate progress toward 20:1 at QEIA schools during the implementation period, they receive a warning at the end of the year and have to correct the situation by the next year. The purpose was to assist Districts as they continued to make progress towards 20:1 by the end of the interim period. It is not clear, however, if this provision applies to schools that had already reached the target of 20:1 and then go up again. If I were in their position, I wouldn’t want to take a chance on a loophole that hasn’t been legally tested. At any rate, assuming they don’t lose the QEIA funding, they must be at 20:1 in the primary grades and 25 in 4th and 5th for 2010-11.
Let’s see what the wonderful SAUSD has accomplished from all these rifs:
1) Increased class sizes.
2) Massive reassignments of teachers to grades they have never taught and never been trained for in schools where they feel uncomfortable.
3) Hoarding funds so Jane Russo can be protected from any potential embarrassment in the future.
I guess number 3 says it all. It makes numbers 1 and 2 worth it.
Whatever happened to DAIT? Whatever happened to playing by QEIA rules? Whatever happened to the value of all the training teachers have received over the years in their grade levels and the team building that has been done at the schools? Oh, I forgot. No matter what the cost to the students of Santa Ana, Jane comes first. Make no mistake. Her distorted and selfish definition of her own success is the ONLY standard. Student failure is an option but failure to fulfill Jane’s wishes for herself is not. It is not up to us all. It is only up to Cathy Olsky and her bumbling marionettes Murray and Wald to convince the school board to go along with Jane. Students and teachers are irrelevant to the mission of SAUSD’s highest leadership.
Well said #237. For many years I believed SAUSD was incompetent. However, it has become clear that I have been wrong. This summer I sat through three board meetings and watched and listened to an extremely strong group of corruptive and manipulative individuals. Especially Murrey! Wow! What a puppet he is- It was almost painful to watch him speak.
I think teachers get paid waaay to much…the starting salary should be around $30,000 with a top off at $60,000 no matter how long you’ve been in
In response to able (should be unable).
And just why would a person get and pay for an education at LEAST 6 years beyond high school (and pursue continuing education for a lifetime) to start a job at 30K? Oh yeah, I guess they would have to be below average intelligence. Sure! That is who we want teaching our kids.
#239
I think you’ve stumbled into the wrong place to spew that type of nonsense.
#239 and 240,
Teaching is a calling – and teachers can do quite well if they stick to it.
Many professions take years to compensate you well. Even lawyers have to stick to it for at least five to ten years.
I admire all those who teach – and not just because I am a teacher too!
#239 disABLEd,
You are waaay ignorant.
One simple scenario:
A babysitter works for $5 an hour to watch 1 child
[sitter does not have five years of college, fingerprinted, is not certificated, doesn’t deal with ongoing educational hours, and certainly is not providing an education].
A teacher works for $5 hour to EDUCATE say 30 children for 6 hours…180 days
$5 x 30 x 6 x 180 = $162,000 [We wish we made that much!]
Even with benefits, the average teacher’s salary isn’t better than a babysitter’s!
AND, many teachers have MORE students and work MORE hours than my simple scenario [and many babysitters earn far more per child].
AND, everyone like you who claim how overpaid teachers are should take time and try to teach 30 children and see how YOU perform.
Art,
Thanks for your kind words about teachers. My comment was meant to be a bit facetious and I was trying to point out that a $30K salary was not commensurate with the years of study that are required for teaching. I have answered the “calling” for 25 years and still love my job. However, I do finally feel that I am being financially compensated for my education and years of experience. #239 would also be surprised to know that many teachers volunteer many hours of their time while working and after retirement for the benefit of the kids we teach and love.
#244
I think everyone realized that you were being facetious and you were very eloquent. I don’t know who the random person who posted before you could be, but hopefully he or she will think twice before posting such nonsense again. I too, after 20 years of teaching really don’t have anything to complain about as far as compensation, maybe that is enough to get everyone riled up (it seems that many think that anyone who is happy with how much they make must be making too much). Yes, I wish I made more, but I really don’t need any more than I make to live a comfortable and happy life.
School starts today…and one school is relieved that you’re gone, Jill, and another doesn’t know what they’re in for, right Jill. Now that you have your job back…what are you doing for me while I sit waiting unemployed? You are so self serving. I guess you had to leave it up to RV to post all the latest news because you are too busy doing cart-wheels that you got your job back. Put your money where your mouth is…oh, that’s right you don’t care about us riffed teachers anymore…you have a job!
Garfield, I would imagine she hasn’t been posting because she is getting her classroom, lesson plans, etc. ready for the start of a new school year. I know several riffed teachers personally that are starting the school year in completely new assignments. While they have been posting most of the summer on this blog, they have stopped as they are on survival mode right now just trying to be ready for Monday mornning. Remember, they had not a clue what grade level or school they were assigned to until sometime on Wednesday. I’m sorry you are still waiting to have your situation resolved but please don’t start turning on each other. When that happens, it’s a victory for the district.
Red Vixen – way too lengthy posts and not related to SAUSD. Provide links to the articles instead.
To post #243
Well if you think about it there are “teachers” at certain day care centers that make around $10 an hour and that provide private kindergarten. These “teachers” are finger printed, are taught how to deliver their programs and put in hours beyond their call of duty. Now these teachers earn up to $15 an hour and work an 8 hour day teaching 15 to 16 kids. Yes they do not NEED a credential to teach nor do they need to pass any state exams. They are required to have a certain amount of college education but are expected to continue their education with the companies program. But maybe this show’s you the direction teaching is going.
I made a mistake this morning and posted to the wrong thread. I was in a hurry to get out John Palacio’s email news/links in a timely way. Thanks for the emails and reminders here.
I have corrected the problem. Please feel free to always notify me of anything that needs attention here, thanks. rvixen@gmail.com
Garfield,
Why don’t you call your worthless union instead of targeting Jill for your unhappy state? Probably because YOU are a union hack who hates what Jill and Patricia have helped the Riff’ed teachers accomplished.
There really are mainly two types of teachers who survive at SAUSD: The competent/tough ones and those that enable one of the worst POSSIBLE public education districts in California state. Those who are incompetent, self-serving and predatory who prey on their peers with hateful comments and blame.
Run along, loser.
This announcement is lengthy and was sent by Karen Horowitz at NAPTA. If you wish to contact the organizer directly, please do: teacherkh@aol.com
On Sunday, August 30, 2009, at 7PM Eastern time, a coalition of activist parents, NAPTA educators (teachers and other educators who stood up so as not to harm children and were subsequently harassed or psychologically bludgeoned for having done so) as well as NAPTA members will be participating in a group conference call on education reform lasting approximately 1 – 1/2 hours. We will brainstorm how best to break through the tax subsidized propaganda, and force the truths about White Chalk Crime, the organized takeover of our schools, out of the darkness and into a place whereby the powers that be have to force change. This is the beginning of an effort to mobilize our grass roots movement into a formidable voice that can no longer be marginalized, dismissed, and most of all retaliated against into silence.
This will be the first conference call as we unite to counter the powerful forces that EducRAT$ use to keep the truth covered up. I will be one of the speakers who will help describe the plight of teachers and how this purposeful slaughter of good teachers along with the manipulative elevation of bad teachers ensures that nothing changes in education. As long as most parents believe it is impossible to fire bad teachers, most parents will blame teachers. NAPTA teachers must help teach them that this manipulation of truth helps focus anger at the wrong people. EducRAT$ can fire teachers. They can easily push teachers out. We KNOW this as ones who have been cleansed from the system despite our awards and accolades. But somehow we need to get this truth over the well entrenched lies so that parents can begin to direct their anger where it will effect change. We must counter the divide and conquer teachers and parents tactic that has held our schools hostage from parents for so long.
Unfortunately, although parents and teachers need to work together to build the kind of power needed to scale these overwhelming mountains of propaganda, the potentially good teachers trying to survive in our dysfunctional schools are unable to help parents. They are afraid to speak the truth in forums such as this and worse yet are afraid to speak the truth at conferences designed to help their own students! Because they know they must follow orders or suffer severe psychological assault, they follow orders that betray our children. (And we can vouch for the severity of this assault!) And the cycle goes on, with parents more convinced than ever that teachers are the problem.
We intend to start a parade of all who care about children with the hopes that in time those teachers who are following orders can stand up in unity and speak out so that the power will shift into the hands of those who care about children. We need educators or anyone who works in schools and knows the truth as well as citizens who are tired of seeing their taxes squandered to join with parents who are determined to shift the power from the hands of the greedy, self-serving administrators and school boards back into the hands of the public where it belongs. We deserve schools that exist for the sake of the children and are led by professionals who care about children, not schools that are focused on power and money. Much if not all that is bad about our society stems from our corrupt schools. So whether you are concerned about how our schools abuse children, abuse teachers, discriminate racially, squander funds, incur drop outs, or the fact that this nation is going down the tubes with the schools we have, participating in this is for you.
If you call in, no one will have access to your phone number or be able to identify you. (If you are really frightened about being part of this, you can *67 your number so it will not show up in any caller ID system.) However, some callers will be able to speak. Please let me know if you wish to speak as we will need to provide you with an additional number. I cannot guarantee there will be time for all who wish to speak to do so, however.
Also, if you do not have access to free long distance, consider contacting a friend and conferencing on their phone as most cell phones have free long distance on weekends. Please pass this onto other concerned friends as this is not limited to NAPTA members. All are welcome to participate in this call and of course all are welcome to join NAPTA and expand our voice.
The number to call at 7 PM Eastern time is: 212-990-8000 and the pin#, for which they will ask you is 1445# (pound).
Please contact me if you have any other questions or suggestions.
Dedicated to the children I remain,
Karen Horwitz