Yesterday (8/30/06) six members of the current CTU leadership visited Gage Park to talk about the overcrowding problem.
Their proposed solution? Fill out the form on overcrowded classes (each individual teacher - all 100 or so of us) and more or less in one month they might be able to grieve the situation.
When asked by the rank and file for any other ideas, they again said fill out the forms.
After they left, authentic leadership stood up. Debbie Lynch and other PACT members said let's hold an informational picket and invite the media. Why do this? To ensure that overcrowding on the southwest side did not become a one-day or one-week story (to see how this all started, visit this glorious post over at Andrew Russo's "District 299" blog).
Real leadership recognizes that this is a serious problem that will affect hundreds of children. The leadership of UPC advised filling out forms. The leadership of PACT made extraordinary efforts to hold a protest that involved teachers, parents, and students.
For those of you who have forgotten what real leadership looks like, watch this video of Debbie Lynch being interviewed by WBEZ during the protest. How can anyone not want people of this intelligence and passion to represent them? Remember, the election is this spring. Who do you want watching your back? The lame (lay down and roll over for Arnie) UPC or the resourceful and determined PACT? Watch the video and there can only be one answer to that question.
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5 comments:
I suggest, for purposes of integrity, that you compare how the process for reporting/rectifying overcrowded classrooms worked under Lynch and then under Stewart. I think you will be surprised to learn that the Stewart folks were able to bring relief in weeks as opposed to Lynch's group, which took months or even an entire year.
Anonymous (above) wants integrity, but won't even sign his/her name to the post, a post which occurred while the rest of us were hard at work in our schools. Yes, let's have integrity and honesty on oevrcrowding and class size. The Lynch team successfully restored class size as a lawful subject of bargaining, which the Stewart/UPC group lost. Under the UPC, vital bargaining rights were lost in law changes. Class size was a "prohibited subject of bargaining". Class size was restored to the contract in 2003; real teeth were put into the Class size panels which investigate complaints; new remedies for dealing with oversized schools and classes are now in the contract; and we proactively analyzed class size statistics each semester and contacted all delegates where overages appeared, offering to intervene immediately. We also aggressively ensured that class size panel findings were enforced immediately.
I apologize for the dig about posting comments anonymously.
This blog recognizes that anonymity is part and parcel of the blogging culture.
No one should feel obligated to post their name or school.
I say let the arguments win on their merits, whether a name is attached to the argument or not.
Thanks, Victor. DLynch has made a career out of punching the air.
Dlynch. OK, let me see if I get this right. If someone posts during regular school hours, the post is somehow not valid? Clear thinking like this will help you re-gain your presidency.
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