This is what democracy looks like…in the CPS.
September 19, 2011
At lunch today a colleague was telling us about a friend who teaches at a Chicago north side elementary school.
“I asked her about the extra 90 minutes,” my colleague said. “She said they would start in January.”
“Did they vote to do it?” I asked.
“No. She said that the principal told the staff that if anybody didn’t like it they should look somewhere else to teach. You know what? They don’t have recess. So she’s hoping that with the extra 90 minutes they might fit in some time for recess.”
Advertisement
Like this:
One blogger likes this post.
6 Comments
leave one →
It’s an all too common refrain in CPS. I’ve heard it from a former principal too. Principals have a huge amount of power in our system. Great principals use it well and fairly. Weak principals abuse it and try to lead through fear. Which schools do you think educate students best?
From 5 hours to 6.5. 300 minutes to 390. 30% more time for a 2% compensation increase.
How absurd is that?
One problem with your math NYC. This follows the board rescinding a negotiated 4% pay raise. So, actually it is 30% more time for 2% LESS compensation.
Wow. I’m speechless.
“If anybody didn’t like it they should look somewhere else to teach”.
If had a dollar for each time I’ve heard a principal say that, I’d be well off. One principal put signed transfer forms on the sign in table in the am. Another told all the shop teachers they could “go back to industry” if they didn’t like that school. Most people aren’t like me- I’d have gotten up and walked out of the room.
Quelle surprise! Imagine, not everyone who voted for the extended school day ACTUALLY wanted it!!
I have to say–in my suburban school district we willingly extended the day–we did agree it was good for the students, &, for 2 years, we extended 15 more minutes per year. I could honestly say that everyone was very happy about it. BUT–you know why? IT WAS NEGOTIATED INTO OUR NEW CONTRACT. IT HAD BEEN DISCUSSED BEFOREHAND WITH STAFF. PEOPLE WERE TREATED WITH RESPECT.
Also–I am very grateful to have worked for WONDERFUL principals. Not one jerk for 35 years! (And some REALLY GREAT ones!)
However (SIGH) district office administration not-so-great….