tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post1203194320406845..comments2023-10-01T06:53:05.812-04:00Comments on The Washington Teacher: City Paper Unveils DC Teachers Contract ProposalCandi Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12266880795971626269noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-85254502798176846362010-04-11T14:11:18.024-04:002010-04-11T14:11:18.024-04:00I know this is going to disappoint you who think I...I know this is going to disappoint you who think I'm Rhee's PR person, but having read the whole contract, I'd probably lean towards no. If you haven't read the whole thing, I recommend taking a look at section 40. Parker better have a REAL good explanation of why we should trust DCPS when he is answering questions this week.<br /><br />“40.2 Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a promise that Congress, the DC Council, or any other organization shall appropriate sufficient funds to meet the obligations set forth in this Agreement.<br />“40.3 DCPS agrees to provide financial certification that DCPS can meet the obligations of this contract before moving toward final approval. The parties agree that the failure to provide the funds to meet the obligations of the Agreement pertaining to base salary, benefits (defined as the provisions governing optical, dental and legal benefits), and mutual consent, is a material breach of contract by DCPS. The consequences of that breach will be settled by a court or an arbitrator, unless otherwise negotiated by the Parties.”<br /><br />DCPS may not even have the money that they claim, and if they do, all it will take is some creative math to claim they do not. At that point, they cancel the raises and other stuff, and tell us to sue. Given the WTU's pathetic performance in court recently, that isn't reassuring.<br /><br />PLEASE READ THE CONTRACT, go to the Q&A's and make your own decision.Wyrm1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-77093814906782118412010-04-10T16:15:40.116-04:002010-04-10T16:15:40.116-04:00I agree with Anon, April 9 @11:15 AM. God will pre...I agree with Anon, April 9 @11:15 AM. God will prevail, he already has we are just waiting for the results. God's time is different from man's time. Teachers remain positive, do your jobs, care about the students, and believe that You Are Worth More Than Your Impact Score!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-22019952451844530002010-04-09T14:07:11.577-04:002010-04-09T14:07:11.577-04:00I for one will not be bamboozled. No to this cont...I for one will not be bamboozled. No to this contract.Teenanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-20294319880246374082010-04-09T13:15:45.500-04:002010-04-09T13:15:45.500-04:00Ladies and Gentleman:
Michell Rhee, George Parker,...Ladies and Gentleman:<br />Michell Rhee, George Parker, and Adrian Fenty are not to be trusted because they are not trustworthy. They tell lies and makes reckless decision without any regard to democracy. We know Parker and Fenty are due for re-election and that is the reason they are talking about teacher's contract. The devil is busy but God will prevail. This contract is a setup plan for the re-election of Adrian Fenty and George Parker; and continuation of Michell Rhee as a chancellor. I know Michell Rhee is not a smart chancellor, Parker is not a true Union leader, and Adrian Fenty is too corrupt and lack honesty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-56073917626197661332010-04-09T11:30:15.964-04:002010-04-09T11:30:15.964-04:00This TA seems very similiar to the July 2008 propo...This TA seems very similiar to the July 2008 proposal, which was dumped. To view that one go to:<br /><br />http://www.dcpswatch.com/wtu/080721.pdf<br /><br />RTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-88271303295451745892010-04-09T11:24:43.193-04:002010-04-09T11:24:43.193-04:00I'm voting yes for this contract. The changes...I'm voting yes for this contract. The changes we don't like, such as the evaluation system, are inevitable. That train has already left the station. It just left DC first, but it's leaving the station in other cities next.<br /><br />As for private funding, if we were to rely on public funds, we'd have no increase. Remember, other districts are cutting teacher pay.Tracynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-8298397743524765172010-04-09T10:44:25.548-04:002010-04-09T10:44:25.548-04:00From yesterday's (4/8) NY Times article on WTU...From yesterday's (4/8) NY Times article on WTU Tentative Agreement:<br /><br />Emily Cohen, a director at the National Council on Teacher Quality who has studied scores of teachers contracts nationwide, said, “It’s a great leap forward.”<br /><br />“This agreement would base teacher hiring, assignment and whether a teacher is going to be fired on actual classroom performance — the way it is in most professions,” Ms. Cohen said. And the agreement “chips away” at tenure, she said, because it will no longer operate, as in many school systems, as a job for life.<br /><br />“The chancellor will be able to evaluate poor teachers out of the system,” she said.<br /><br /><br /><br />----------enough said-----Lindseynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-35759975100571689792010-04-08T23:18:04.390-04:002010-04-08T23:18:04.390-04:00Clarification: 8:40 p.m. on 4/7 stated Candi m...Clarification: 8:40 p.m. on 4/7 stated Candi makes decisions about who blogs here. I stated that the blogger who made that comment is a plant also.<br />The funding of this contract is only a small aspect but has the potential to be huge if:<br />1) the contract is ratified (which it should not be)<br />2) the donors decide not to continue to support this <br /> effort<br />3) if the city can not support the contract once the <br /> donors withdraw<br /><br />Stay focus, the funding is not the issue. What are you giving away for the money? Focus on the content of the contract. What is your interpretation and how does it match the Rhee regime?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-843811556952603062010-04-08T22:26:45.898-04:002010-04-08T22:26:45.898-04:00This contract can be very enticing to the teachers...This contract can be very enticing to the teachers but what happens if the funding is not available when the public funds dry out. Although the Chancellor states that the District should be able to continue the funding; with the economy what it is???? Also, teachers beware, you might get the increase now and if the performance or enrollment drop then????<br /> <br />Good on the onsight, but look at the long run.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-45015682697504706242010-04-08T19:55:37.496-04:002010-04-08T19:55:37.496-04:00This is crazy. Contract is the the same one from ...This is crazy. Contract is the the same one from 2008 just packaged with different terms. The $$$ looks good and many teachers would love it. But what are the strings attached? This another tactic of divide and conquer. However its not going to work this time because many of the so-called "good teachers" are catching hell from the IMPACT!! <br /><br />Private $$$$ from Walmart who treat their employees like crap? Now this is cause for alarm!!!<br /><br />GP sold the union members down the river the day MR took over DCPS. <br /><br />Becareful!!!DCparent2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-2209457451038780072010-04-08T14:27:42.425-04:002010-04-08T14:27:42.425-04:00Anon. at 7:18 a.m. today said:
"Anonymous 8:...Anon. at 7:18 a.m. today said:<br /><br />"Anonymous 8:40 p.m. You are a plant too!...<br />Ditch the contract."<br /><br />I am confused. There is no 8:40 p.m. comment, and the signs are indicating that 7:18 is a troll or imposter who is impersonating the real Anonymous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-7955362803303524432010-04-08T09:18:37.072-04:002010-04-08T09:18:37.072-04:00Anonymous 8:40 p.m. You are a plant too!
Candi ...Anonymous 8:40 p.m. You are a plant too!<br /><br />Candi can decide who blogs here or not, but that was not the issue.<br /><br />Candi, watch your back. <br /><br />Ditch the contract. Remember what happened the last time. Teachers got caught up with the 6% raise and not the content of the contract.<br /><br />That was a mess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-45293908553864361682010-04-08T07:51:23.071-04:002010-04-08T07:51:23.071-04:00Seems to me that there are warnings from different...Seems to me that there are warnings from different people. After all, since when has Rhee decided to like any she has fired or do anything fair by all of the teachers especially the poor students that were abused. <br />Remember she called you child molesters and abusive people.<br /><br />It's fair to say research the warnings as they may be actually true.<br /><br />Oh well, people sell out thier own kids and own people for a buck in DC, so why am I even concerned if you are not!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-3687017486291376012010-04-08T07:42:22.031-04:002010-04-08T07:42:22.031-04:00I am ending the discussion on Wrym1. This blog is ...I am ending the discussion on Wrym1. This blog is to discuss issues relevant to the topic at hand which is City Paper Unveils DC Teachers Contract Proposal.The Washington Teacherhttp://thewashingtonteacher.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-92190286462966550022010-04-08T07:22:11.232-04:002010-04-08T07:22:11.232-04:00Wyrm1 - please keep expressing your views.
We don...Wyrm1 - please keep expressing your views.<br /><br />We don't all have to be in lockstep here. If we were, we'd be no better than the totalitarianism that some feel has been thrust on DCPS by the Fenty-Rhee regime.Kingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-22245851183992394262010-04-08T07:13:53.427-04:002010-04-08T07:13:53.427-04:00saw this last night on NBC news.
Watch the video....saw this last night on NBC news.<br /><br />Watch the video...bottom left on page<br /><br /><br />Rhee says "teaching is not a job for life, regardless of performance"<br /><br />http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Rhee-At-Last-90077502.html<br /><br />seriously makes me ill!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-36657863631549260212010-04-08T07:08:50.167-04:002010-04-08T07:08:50.167-04:00Anon,
Not so much. While there are some things t...Anon,<br /><br />Not so much. While there are some things that I am stupid about, I don't think this is one of them.<br /><br />I have confidence in my abilities. The truth of the matter is that if DCPS (or my principal) decides that I need to be fired, that would stink, but then I'll go get a job somewhere else.<br /><br />I don't particularly want to do that, but I also don't want to teach at a school where my principal hates me, and if he or she hates me enough so that they are willing to get rid of one of their better math teachers, then I'll go somewhere else. It would stink for my kids, but there isn't a whole lot I can do about that.<br /><br />Truthfully, you can have the exact same situation under the current contract. Principal hates teacher, bad things happen. It happens now, it will happen under any new contract. The only difference is we get some money under a new contract.<br /><br />Do you really think the Rhee is incapable of creating another RIF right now? The union has been completely ineffectual in protecting teachers who do not deserve to be fired, and that isn't going to change, it has failed at that consistantly since I started teaching.<br /><br />Since I don't have any security except for my abilities, I would prefer to be compensated for those abilities.Wyrm1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-81741525795780658832010-04-08T00:05:35.113-04:002010-04-08T00:05:35.113-04:00This is a farce. No way I'm voting for this c...This is a farce. No way I'm voting for this contract. After 3 years, you'd think they would've come up with something better than the proposed agreement. But when you think who the major players have been--Rhee and GP--maybe it should not be much of a surprise, after all. <br /><br />I don't trust the donors, and should Rhee leave, I think the dollars will, too. Where's the iron-clad guarantee they won't?<br /><br />Another issue I have is that the playing field is not level for all teachers. Schools west of the park have more resources and a lot of the students come from more affluent homes, thus more exposure, variety of experiences, greater probabilty for significant academic growth and a greater chance for these teachers to earn bonus money that MAY be available.<br /><br />Schools in areas where the students come from less affluent families, limited resources, and dysfunctional homes often bring problematic behaviors to school, which frequently undermines the academic progress of the entire classroom. What about these teachers? What about teachers and other staff who don't have grades that are tested?<br /><br />Too many unanswered, nebulous propositions. I will not be bamboozled!I_educ8noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-3568549827379220302010-04-07T23:36:31.577-04:002010-04-07T23:36:31.577-04:00Wyrm1,
You need help! You are not going to get th...Wyrm1,<br /><br />You need help! You are not going to get the money and you will lose your job DUMMY! You will sell your soul to the devil for a dollar!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-15175541927524614862010-04-07T21:24:50.093-04:002010-04-07T21:24:50.093-04:00I used to be a teacher, but I am now an administra...I used to be a teacher, but I am now an administrator. As a teacher I would not take this deal. It is retroactive from 2007 and expires in 2012 two years from now ( just enough of a before and after cushion to vote Fenty back in and keep the good will for a little while after - a nice little money bubble. The money is committed as long as the district keeps following through with their reform efforts; what types of reform efforts, what specific aspects, are Fenty/Rhee "the reform". So if they return then the feel good keeps feeling good long enough to try to get people to remember the drama. If they go then the private money could have an easy out if there is no specific identification of exactly what is meant by the continued reform implementation. There are some good things going on in DCPS that I think that Rhee is actually responsible for putting in place. However, even if I was an avid supporter, I wouldn't take this deal. It sounds like a bribe. Identify the specific reform that needs to continue, WRITE IT DOWN and have it signed, sealed and blessed; indicate whether or not it is dependent upon who maintains control of the school system, who is "eligible" to lead the reform efforts in the event that the current mayor or chancellor are re-elected or even in the event that either decides to resign for their own personal reasons. I want teachers to get a raise. Working for that long with no contract is just wrong, however with all that has gone on in DCPS I think that it is important for the contract to be extremely specific and binding so that there aren't any rabbit holes hiding in the underbrush. Just my two cents. My teachers work their tails off and I wish that I had the money to give them raises out of my own pocket.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-68331643171231967312010-04-07T18:41:05.159-04:002010-04-07T18:41:05.159-04:00Concerning Wyrm1 being a pr plant was made so that...Concerning Wyrm1 being a pr plant was made so that the focus is not lost and that you think for yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-28408649944942408222010-04-07T18:41:05.158-04:002010-04-07T18:41:05.158-04:00I agree with @April 7,9:55Am and April 7, 12:56 pm...I agree with @April 7,9:55Am and April 7, 12:56 pm There is gold in the ghetto. I would not trust anything that MR nor George Parker say. These two people have destroyed this school system. I was not hired to teach in DC with Private dollars. If the taxes in DC can not pay for my salary or any future raises then I can live with that. However, when you involve outside people and their money, then we now have an additional masters to serve. The last time I checked my pay stub it said DC Government, and not Wal-Mart. Mayor Fenty is as fake as they come, he thinks that no one know it an Election Year. This contract was put on the back burner for three long years, and all of a sudden DCPS and WTU have come to an agreement, smells sort of fishy to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-18003762812985324862010-04-07T16:40:03.758-04:002010-04-07T16:40:03.758-04:00I'm a gray supporter too and I hope the talk o...I'm a gray supporter too and I hope the talk of chocolate city vs white city stops soon.<br /><br />I'm a white resident of ward 3 and none of my neighbors support Fenty. I suspect, though, they'd be as bothered as I am by remarks that seem to pit whites against blacks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-8744384513844696792010-04-07T16:23:25.161-04:002010-04-07T16:23:25.161-04:00Anon 10:28
Thanks for the video clip! It sounds ...Anon 10:28 <br /><br />Thanks for the video clip! It sounds to me that Vincent Gray is either playing politics so he won't sound anti-rhee and discourage the white vote...or he actually WOULD consider keeping rhee as chancellor.<br /><br />I pray that it's not the latter!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-84209694924749457312010-04-07T14:56:20.175-04:002010-04-07T14:56:20.175-04:00Private money funding salaries for staff in the Pu...Private money funding salaries for staff in the Public Education System? None of the kids in the families of the foundations mentioned as being the primary donors attend public school. So why should these people control public education? Who ever controls the purse strings makes the decisions, plain and simple. <br />What happened to all the savings that were supposed to occur from the central office layoffs? Didn't Fenty and Rhee make the statement on day one that money wasn't the issue in DCPS;it was a case of bad management? I actually agree with that because it's true - there is more than enough money to provide quality education to the students in the District. If you get all those folks making 6 figures plus outta here, we would probably be alot better off. If DCPS needed a good manager to turn things around, Rhee was the dumbest choice you could have made because that just isn't her skill set. And spending $100k on PR? I mean, I know this is an "inner city" and all but come on. This is blatant EXPLOITATION. I guess there still is and always will be a gold mine in the ghetto.Shaking My Head.....https://www.blogger.com/profile/05021535055389660216noreply@blogger.com