SIGNS OF THE TIMES

With the Superintendent's effort to divide our ranks we must not get off track of the issue.

Some things to consider WHY her tactic will not work:

The classroom size cap for elementary and middle school classes is less than high school. We did not say one word about it. Why? We know our day-to-day jobs are different. I've taught two of the 3 levels, enough said, it is different. So is ESE.

HERE WE GO FOLKS - THIS JUST IN:
(email just received from 3 people: authenticated)


I would like to provide you with a quick update regarding the rally on Tues. It will start at 3:30 pm in front of the ROSSAC building. I have contacted the following news stations who will be in attendance: Fox news, Bay News 9, ABC news, Tampa Bays 10. I have also contacted the Tampa PD and spoke with their special events office. Below are additional guidelines and suggestions that the officer in charge of our rally gave me.

1) In addition to not placing objects on the sidewalk we can not have banners or flyers posted on city property including lamp posts and telephone poles

2) In order to allow the flow of pedestrian traffic the officer suggested that we move in a single file line on the sidewalk.

3) The officer (whose many friends are also teachers) suggested that when the media arrives, the teachers continue to move in a single file line. It will look extremely bad if a teacher is being interviewed and in the background is a large group of teachers screaming and yelling!

4) We need to be aware of our noise level -- no bull horns!!

After the rally when the school board meeting begins we can all grab some dinner. Our normal location is Gilligans which has good food and is approx 2 blocks away off of Morgan St.

If you are preparing a sign below are some phases floating around my school.

Email me and let me know of anything you've come up with to help those of us who are creative challenged! Remember, they should be large and to the point. Its also important that we stick to the issue of the 6/7 plan.

"Quality of minutes not Quantity of minutes"

"No teacher left behind"

"Endangered species: Quality Teachers"

"300 mins = Overtired, Underpaid"

"Is this what you voted for?"

"E ducation Board

L acking

I n

A ction"

Please forward this email to all who are interested! :-)

Any creative signs ideas can also be submitted here.

Even if you can't show up at 3:30, lets face it we have family to feed.
Show up when you can. Like most things in the system it's the numbers that matter. That's what got us here.

The schedule is done. The first cuts are made. NOW there are faces and friends that make this a must.

The last time teachers showed up they were noticed, by the board, the superintendent, and the press.

Read Lee's Blog

TEACHERS ACTIVELY FIGHTING ADDED CLASS

"They're directing their anger at the school board, but members said the decision was Superintendent MaryEllen Elia's to make, and they won't try to reverse her decision this year."

"This is an administrative decision, Griffin said, but something this big needs to have consensus from the board."

"On Thursday, Elia admitted communication could have been better but said more than 100 meetings have been held to explain and address the issue."

"One issue that has received little attention is equity, Elia said. Elementary and middle school teachers already teach 300 minutes a day."

"Many of the teachers complaining are high school teachers who now receive extra pay for teaching an extra class, Elia said."

"For this year the issue is over, board members said."

"Yvonne Lyons, Executive director of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association, said Thursday that teaching six of seven class periods likely is a reality for next school year because teachers are now being scheduled."

- Hillsborough Teachers Actively Fighting Added Class Time
Tampa Tribune, April 13, 2007



1) Divide the rank and file.
Turn the elementary and middle school teachers against the high school teachers under the guise of "equity". Make them appear "whinny". Anyone with elementary, middle, and high school experience knows there is NO VALID COMPARISON among them. We choose the level we teach knowing our talents and skills - not because one is easier than the other.

Downplay the fact that the "extra" pay is an incentive to high school teachers. An incentive that saves the district money by not having to hire another employee and pay the benefit package. If the teachers did not accept the extra class the district would incur those additional costs.

2) Give the board political cover.
Easy when the defining document covering board member responsibility was authored by the Compliance Director James Hamilton. (See Lee Drury's Blog for the background on that debacle) Require any new teacher consideration to be "negotiated" rather than just do what is right. Instill a fear of "setting precedent" as a reason for not correcting a wrong. Have the board attorney support your position with his "favorable interpretation". Do not go to an outside authority in order to "save face".

Funny how the Board will tackle those thorny tardy and dress code issues but bail out of real management decisions.

3) Give CTA a shallow reason to cover their incompetence.
The district uses computer software to schedule the students. It's hard to believe that a couple of clicks and a couple of hours couldn't reschedule everyone. The teachers know that. The program is called SILK. Ask your Data Processor. CTAs glaring ignorance of technology will alienate every teacher under 30.

The scenario:

Those teachers who are nearing retirement and volunteered to teach an extra class in order to boost their Retirement Benefits will realize that they not only got a pay cut BUT are now teaching the same number of classes with no positive effect on their retirement benefits. In order to recoup some money they will resign from CTA.

Those already in DROP will give serious thought to retiring knowing the workload on the horizon may not be worth it.

High school teachers will quit CTA. Take the money formerly used for dues and put it into a SSFCU 403b. Elementary and Middle school teachers are not blind or stupid. Realizing the futility of belonging and the fact that they can be next they will quietly start to resign from CTA. At some point someone will start a petition to seek other representation. Teachers will say "Why not? What have I got to lose?" It will be close.

This will require the Board and the Superintendent to come to the aid of CTA further infuriating the rank and file. Rumors of collusion will spread. Someone will petition the Feds.

Frankly, I hope I'm wrong.

"Union representatives can direct teachers to an online survey about the issue, she (Lyons) said."
Like CTA, it is nowhere to be found. They need a SURVEY??!! PULLLEASE!!

CTA should be fighting for its life.

A DAY IN THE LIFE '07- '08

Thanks to Tom (sticksoffire.com) for his cogent suggestions!

A lot of our parents and the public in general glaze over when they try to get a handle on what's going on. To understand the rising tide of teacher anger one only has to realize that the Superintendent's Proposal will strip some very basic services that students and parents have come to rely on. This was done with NO TEACHER input or awareness despite her claim that she held over 100 meetings. It's really hard to hide 100 meetings from your teachers but that's another posting.

The following schedule is a very basic high school schedule. I have tried to reflect what we can expect to find IF THIS PROPOSAL IS APPROVED.

5:15 AM Wake Up

7:15 AM *Sign In At School
7:25 AM 1st Period

*Take Attendance (Send Attendance Cards to Office)
*Listen To Announcements

8:30 AM 2nd Period
9:26 AM 3rd Period
10:22 AM 4th Period

11:53 AM 5th Period (extended & split to provide multiple 30 min. *Lunches)

12:59 PM 6th Period
1:55 PM 7th Period

3:05 PM *Teacher's Dismissed

4:05 PM *Arrive Home

10:00 PM * Go To Bed (ideally! - yeah I hear the laughing)

Notes:
Bold entries are a variable by school & individual.
Choose ONE 50 minute period as a conference for grading papers, averaging grades, making and returning phone calls, fulfilling administratively assigned duty time, and other curricular necessities. Don't forget to think about "personal needs" like going to the bathroom.
Teachers are expected to be in their doorways between classes monitoring student behavior in the hall and in their classrooms.

Service there will be NO time for:
(please list in "comments" what services you provide now BUT will be unable to find time for next year)

YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET

Silver Lining: My Power Company and Internet Service Provider conspired with my computer manufacturer to keep me off line. It gave me pause to think and listen about what happened at Tuesday's Board meeting.

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"I hope your classes behave better than this."
- Candy Olsen April 10, 2007

"As a 43-year veteran educator, I know that none of you would have accepted some of the behavior from your students that you hurled at us." "You have a right to disagree, but there's something called mutual respect."

-Doretha Edgecomb April 10, 2007

"In this case disrespect seems to be a matter of perspective. Make your promotions, give your awards and THEN TALK to YOUR EMPLOYEES. Don't let them fume in the back listening to the self-aggrandizing comments of the board."

-comment from Times web page.

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Feeling the heat? Feeling the anger? Feeling the frustration? Join the club.

This anger and frustration is now palatable. If this schedule change goes through what the Board experienced on Tuesday will be a walk in the park. If this schedule change goes through the Board will be dealing with teacher stress and burnout in October - NOT April. What the public saw on Tuesday was a glimpse into the hearts of caring people who KNOW they are being saddled with an impossible task.


I loved it when my students were animated and engaged. Any response that indicated involvement and participation was something to be appreciated. Even if the response was contrary to what I was trying to draw out.

Those teachers were cheering for what they believed in. They were not being disrespectful. It was a very civil display of camaraderie. Guess you didn't want to hear it.

What's the difference between the cheering support of the teachers and the board members who swoon over each others weekly activities and praise each other for cutting a ribbon when they open a new water fountain?!

Disrespectful? It just goes to show how disconnected the Board is from the classroom. Walk your campuses without the entourage (if you dare). Go into the bathrooms, the teacher planning areas, the dining areas, the BASIC classes, student affairs, the PE locker rooms, roam the hallways alone during the change of class and continue right through to the next change. You were not disrespected by your employees but you will see how they are treated! I dare you to visit your middle and high schools, alone. Regularly. Out of your district. And then extrapolate that to 6 out of 7 periods.


Too those fine, brave, articulate teachers who showed up and spoke: THANK YOU. To the asshole in the back who chose to give the board fodder for their comments: "Consider yourself lucky that I wasn't there. Stay home and watch it on TV and pray I'm not there if you choose to repeat that idiocy. You are not at a Comedy Club amateur night. Have some class."

KNOW $HIT $HERLOCK

ROSSAC Tuesday 5:45 - 6:00 PM

I'm beginning to believe THIS IS ALL ABOUT A 10% BUDGET SCREW-UP! Thinking it is about the "Amendment" transfers responsibility and blame to Tallahassee and provides cover for the "Upside down Pyramid" we know as ROSSAC.


* Surrounding counties don't seem to have this "problem".

* Surrounding counties are going to have first choice on new hires and Hillsborough transfers.
It IS happening NOW. There are teachers who have already interviewed, accepted positions and are waiting to inform their administration - or they have informed them and the admin is waiting to open up the job (a prevalent strategy).

* In the spirit of full disclosure local college placement offices will have to reveal this schedule change to their graduates or be accused (and rightfully so) of incompetence.

* The teacher shortage will NOT be addressed by hiring the best but by settling for those that weren't successful in other counties. No "attractive package" designed by Mrs. Elia will cover the fact that accepting a job in Hillsborough County WILL PAY LESS!
Result: Less Qualified Teachers in the classroom or those just biding their time and paying off their college loans while they look around.

* The elementary and middle school teachers have been fooled into thinking they will not be affected - hence their silence or capitulation. Money affects everyone. Divide and prevail.

* Moving everyone to a traditional schedule allows the schools to tinker with scheduling and class sizes. It also provides a template for the district to monitor "compliance".

* Mrs. Elia is banking on teacher apathy and why not, it provides the path of least resistence. CTA's silence is evidence that THEY know what's going on. CTA leadership should have put out a bulletin that this is ALL ABOUT A MONEY SHORTAGE. They can't anger the District before negotiations. They must maintain a facade at their members expense.

* NO OTHER ALTERNATIVES HAVE BEEN PROPOSED OR EXPLORED. Note how many ideas have been posted on this blog alone!

Am I off base here?

ROSSAC Tuesday 5:45 - 6:00 PM


Suzie

TAMPA TEA PARTY ?

If you have 35 students in 5 classes you see 175 students a day and 100 minutes of conference time.


If you have 27 students in 6 classes you see 162 students a day and 50 minutes of conference time.


You have 9.25% less students and 50% less conference time.

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There seems to be persistent comments about veiled threats and intimidation designed to thwart your CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to express yourself. It is time to NAME those administrators! This blog is your safe haven to do this. Your only responsibility is to be accurate. Good advice from anonymous:

You need to document the "veiled" threat regarding evaluations and "working to the contract" for any future need. If you are a CTA member it should be reported. Why not at least name the school here so that those of us who MAY be "shopping around" know when to keep walking. You can see the true colors start to show. Any principal that feels a negotiated contract is bendable needs to be exposed. To get an unsatifactory evaluation for performing to the contract is indeed a lawsuit waiting to be filed. Your experience should prepare you. Do not allow the opportunity to slide. Names, dates, times, witnesses and as many quotes as possible. You may have it and not need it but there will be a quiet satisfaction to building the case and feeling that you have some control over the issue. Do NOT trust your memory. Stay cool.

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The rumbling is getting louder folks. More and more teachers are talking about showing up at the Board Meeting on Tuesday. It starts at 6PM. We CAN make an impact. JUST SHOW UP AT 5:45 - 6:00 PM. Wanna have a TEA PARTY? Can we bring a tea bag for every teacher at our school that feels the same and LEAVE IT SOMEWHERE?

Maybe get some support from C Tea A?

Remember: Name names! Name schools!

Suzi

THE CLASS SIZE AMMENDMENT

FULL TEXT


Article IX, Section 1, Florida Constitution, is amended to read:
Section 1. Public Education. –
The education of children is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida. It is, therefore, a paramount duty of the state to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders. Adequate provision shall be made by law for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education and for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of institutions of higher learning and other public education programs that the needs of the people may require. To assure that children attending public schools obtain a high quality education, the legislature shall make adequate provision to ensure that, by the beginning of the 2010 school year, there are a sufficient number of classrooms so that:
1. The maximum number of students who are assigned to each teacher who is teaching in public school classrooms for prekindergarten through grade 3 does not exceed 18 students;
2. The maximum number of students who are assigned to each teacher who is teaching in public school classrooms for grades 4 through 8 does not exceed 22 students; and
3. The maximum number of students who are assigned to each teacher who is teaching in public school classrooms for grades 9 through 12 does not exceed 25 students.
4. The class size requirements of this subsection do not apply to extracurricular classes. Payment of the costs associated with reducing class size to meet these requirements is the responsibility of the state and not of local school districts. Beginning with the 2003-2004 fiscal year, the legislature shall provide sufficient funds to reduce the average number of students in each classroom by at least two students per year until the maximum number of students per classroom does not exceed the requirements of this subsection.

http://www.firn.edu/doe/arm/class-size.htm


The emphasis is mine. Ya'll read it and comment.

Maybe I'm missing something. Am I in the twilight zone? Or has the bullet hit the bone?


Suzie


Some tedious reading:

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/index.cfm?Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&Tab=session&BI_Mode
=ViewBillInfo&BillNum=0030&Chamber=Senate&Year=2003A&Title=%2D%3EBill%2520
Info%3AS%25200030%2D%3ESession%25202003A