Thursday, March 18, 2010

No concessions from FWEA. And you thought it was about the kids.

The tentative teachers contract contains no salary concession and retains pay increases by seniority. FWEA representative Steve Brace said any sacrifice should "not be made on the backs of teachers. This is a community problem".

That's right Steve, the sacrifice will be made on the backs of the taxpayers and the kids. And the younger teachers who will be laid off first. Sounds like Ron Gettlefinger of the UAW talking. Why don't you guys just drop that FW"Education"A charade and have the UAW negotiate for you. Then FWCS and the Big Three can go out of business together. Kansas City, Detroit, Fort Wayne here we come.

16 comments:

Was yellow....Now Blue said...

Evert, would you know the exact cost of these so called (cough, cough) step increases?

kate said...

First of all the drama needs to quit.
The teachers are going to take on twice as many classes next year as this. Their prep time will be almost cut in half.
The school day extended.
The "step" increase will be for those teachers that are not so new.
You know how many teachers/coaches are taking money out of their own pockets to provide for students who come to school without the basic needs-pen, pencils, food before a game, rides, etc.
It is absolutely ridiculous now to complain that "not giving raises" but to allow step increases, and to keep the insurance benefits is not in the best interest of the kids is sickening.
EVERY teacher in the school corporation in here at FWCS because they want to be. Teachers here know the diversity, the underpriviledged etc.
I can guarantee you that there isn't a teacher/coach that isn't taking money out of their pocket to make sure every student has what they need to be successful.

kate said...

It should read==not so old
re: step pay
Once a teacher gets to a certain level there is no further step increases so they are actually a benefit for younger/newer students

Disgusted said...

Kate,
If the students don't have pens or pencils, every year the Salvation Army gives out plenty of school supplies. If they are hungry, there are plenty of food banks in the area. If the children are being mistreated by their parents, report them to Child Protective Services. It is the law

Code Blue Schools said...

Kate-

Yeah and I'm taking money out of my pocket for that stuff at the schools where I tutor as a volunteer. Another hundred bucks at Indian Village yesterday. But I just sat through a two hour recital of drivel and BS at the Grile Center regarding the closure of Elmhurst and Pleasant Center. If there was ever any doubt that this district is dying, that meeting sealed the verdict for me. It's already dead South of Coliseum. The three high schools that will be left on left on this side of town after Elhmhurst closes are disasters. If you really believe Wendy's BS that the "Balanced Scorecard", Freshmen Academies or "High School Reinvent" is going to save them, you're as deluded as the clueless school board you guys paid for through your union.

I'll give it another twenty years if it's allowed to suffer a slow death like it's doing now. Hope that's long enough for you to get to retirement.

Was yellow....Now Blue said...

As per 21 Alive this morning, cost of (cough, cough) step increases, $2.7 million dollars.

The truth shall set you free...... said...

Giving up prep time and extended days and spending money that you do not have yourself on kids is nothing new to a teacher, most have done it forever. I can't believe that the union is still going for the raises and no changes in benefits...everyone else in the working field has had to make changes and sacrifices, what is wrong with the teachers union that they feel FWCS teachers should be exempt from joining the rest of the country? The teachers that will be losing their jobs are paying for a union to protect them and this is their payback? I admire any and all teachers that can work without the "help" of a union and the chance to spend their hard earned money on a child that needs it....

Disgusted said...

Did Kathy Friend go to the Pat Roller School of Accounting?

Anonymous said...

Kate: You go girl!!!

Jeff Pruitt said...

Kate,

What does your comment have to do with ANYTHING? There is no money - period. Since the teachers didn't agree to concessions there will be a large number of teacher layoffs. And MORE coming next year with a likely $10 million budget hole to fill.

So here is the basic math. No concessions = teacher layoffs = bad for students. How can you even dispute that logic?

If you want to pretend that taking step increases or refusing to budge on overly generous benefits doesn't somehow affect students so you can feel better then go right ahead.

But it doesn't change the facts...

Code Blue Schools said...

Disgusted

Kathy Friend is one of the few people on Clinton Street I have any respect for. We debated during the remonstrance and she kicked my butt. I think she's competent but she has to do what Wendy wants.

Disgusted said...

Code Blue Schools

You may have "lost" the debate, but you won the war. ;)

Code Blue Schools said...

Disgusted-

No, we've lost the war. The building battle was just part of the war to keep the school system I went to from going the way of every other urban system in the country. But it's going to turn out the same way here as it has everywhere else. I wasn't able stop it any more than the people who concluded that leaving was their best option.

Kristina said...

Evert - I'm sort of exhausted from keeping score. How much longer until the state shuts down FWCS (or schools within the district that are failing)?

Code Blue Schools said...

Hi Kristina-

They don't really get into deep doodoo until year six but the law doesn't spell out what happens. At that point the state board can tell them what to do but whether they actually take over the school or turn it into a charter isn't clear. You need to look at it yourself (Google PL221).

There's no way the high schools who are now in year 4 or 5 are going to improve. The elementary schools may have a chance. We'll just have to wait and see what Mitch and Tony do. I don't think having "Magic" Mark blame the funding cuts on the governor is going to help FWCS' cause.

Kristina said...

Well tonight was a sad night for Elmhurst. Standing ovation to Wendy. She's been trying to close the school for years and finally, she won. Hope she sleeps better at night. Great legacy that she leaves.

P.S. Hope that former and current students are at least allowed to have one more goodbye with the school before it is locked up. I'm sure I'll be kept out - ya know - having an opinion and all ;).