Chicago’s new school boss has a tough first day of school.
Diane Draper, a teacher from Johnson Elementary School, addresses the Chicago School Board regarding closings of schools.
The former head of the Chicago bus and el system was appointed by Richie Daley to replace Arne Duncan as CPS CEO.
But his first day at work didn’t go so well for the former bus man, Ron Huberman.
Oh. BTW. In calling Huberman a “bus man,” I mean no criticism of bus drivers. Generally speaking, when the CTA hires a bus driver, they actually know how to drive a bus. That can’t be said of the new school boss. He is uniquely unqualified.
Parents, students and teachers showed up at the board of education meeting to protest the planned closing of nearly two dozen schools.
School board president, Rufus Williams called them disrespectful.
The closing of the schools is part of the mayor’s Renaissance 2010 plan, which calls for the creation of over 100 charter, contract and reconstituted schools.
“It’s becoming increasingly clear that this is not an education plan, it is a business plan. It is a real estate developer plan that has nothing to do with education,” said Karen Lewis, a teacher at King College Prep.
Chicago Teachers Union President Marilyn Stewart accused board members of refusing to listen to parents, teachers and students by not showing up at public hearingsbeing held before proposals are voted on.
“I don’t think (Huberman) can understand or grasp the situation at the Chicago Public Schools,” said Demetria Browning, whose son attends Las Casas Occupational High School, which is on the closing list. “He’s a manager. For him it’s about the bottom line. What is going to happen when these kids drop out?” (source)
Chicago Reader’s Ben Joravsky comments on his blog:
It’s true that Huberman has no background in education other than having attended school. But running Chicago’s public schools has very little do with educating children. In fact, if you’re the CEO, the less you know or care about schools or children the better off you’ll be. At least then you might not be as upset by some of the things the mayor makes you do.
