DC Public Schools Teacher Terminations Effective July 16, 2010

Teacher Terminator Rhee Strikes Again !

As a WTU Building Representative, I have learned from an inside reliable source that Rhee and company have issued letters of termination to non-value added employees beginning this month. It is my understanding that itinerant related service providers and special subject teachers have received their official letters of termination this month notifying them that their last day will be July 16, 2010. You may recall that Rhee promised in a DC City Council hearing earlier this year to fire DC teachers and school personnel beginning the month of July. It is expected that teacher firings will occur later on this month as soon as the final IMPACT scores are calculated. Stay tuned for more on this story and updates about what will happen to DC's excessed teachers and school personnel.

I have posted an anonymous email (below) that I received from a related service provider who was recently terminated. I must admit I almost couldn't catch my breath when I learned of the termination of a colleague I have always considered highly effective. It boggles my mind. Here's the email:

Greetings Candi,

"After a 12 year career, I have been rendered ineffective by Chancellor Rhee, a woman who is called chancellor because of her lack of credentials. Warn the others that July 16, 2010 will be my last day."

Signed,

Anonymous

Reactions Vary On Ratification of DC Teachers Union Contract: What's Your Reaction ?

UPDATE: Inside sources report the principal of Dunbar SHS informed his staff on June 2 that he received his letter of termination (aka non-renewal). In addition, it is also reported that principals from Coolidge SHS and Anacostia SHS will not be renewed. Two vice principals at Jefferson MS will not be renewed as well as the vice principal at Watkis ES. (See June 2 entry below).

DC teachers and school personnel ratified a five year WTU contract (2007-2012) of which three years have already passed. The WTU contract has been three years in the making by chief negotiator teachers union president George Parker. For those active union members who were working in 2007 - they will receive retro active pay raises dating back to 2007. For those who began working after 2007, they will receive retro pay dating back to their start date with DCPS. According to the WTU Tentative Agreement: "The 2007-2008, 2008-2009 and the appropriate portion of the 2009-2010 raises shall be paid retroactively to all DCPS employees who are members of the WTU bargaining unit as of the date of WTU ratification of this agreement and all WTU bargaining unit members who were separated or retired as a result of the November 2009 Reduction-in-Force. Retroactive payment of raises shall be made following ratification of this agreement by the WTU membership and approval by the DC Council."

Teachers who retired prior to the 2009 reduction in force, although union members during the contract period have been excluded from receiving retroactive pay raises and will have to file unfair labor practices if they want to see any of their money.

While the contract is more than just pay raises and gives Chancellor Rhee greater reign to fire teachers and school personnel, reactions varied from highs to lows on news of the contract ratification today. I am curious what was your reaction to the ratification of the Washington Teachers Union contract ? I am particularly interested in hearing from those DC teachers and school personnel who will remain in school year 2010-2011. Please feel free to weigh in with your comments.