It is with pride and sorrow I write this. First the pride I have is how many members were at the Creighton Governing Board meeting tonight and had the chutzpah to speak and share their thoughts. This was truly what a democratic process is about in this sense being able to speak our minds and share our feelings. This is a right we are guaranteed under the United States Constitution. It is with sorrow we have to inform members of CEA about the board decision which was made by 3-2. The board voted to increase the school day by 70 minutes in k-4 and forty minutes in 5-8, which means our start and end times will be from 7:30AM-3:10PM for early start schools and 8:30AM-4:10PM. We do not know what our contract day will be or look like but assuming it stays in tact as it is now, we could see needing to be at schools for even longer.
So what are the next steps? We will be working on this and letting you know. We had AEA with us in the room and they will be helping us determine what we can do next. Watch Fox 10 online to see a news story and abc 15 online as well about this piece. We need to get this information out to parents and have them come speak to the board as well. We must share what is happening in our district with everyone, neighbors, families, business partnerships. How is this the right thing for students? We are not failing because we don’t work our tails off, rather the system is flawed and does not take into account the fact of language acquisition is needed and we can not assess in their native language. This is not only a problem in our district but a problem at the state level and we must contact our legislators to get this fixed. CEA needs all of you to join together, we can not let this be a one time event. We must continue to have a presence at the board meetings, not just CEA leaders, but members and show the board we care just as much as our parents. June 5th the Governing Board will be looking at the board policy about instructional minutes.
We did have some new members join CEA during this time which is a great time to join. It was because of you the members who spoke passionately about the impact it would have on you to the board we were able to get the vote to be a 3-2 vote. We have to follow up with non members at our campuses and sites and have them join us as part of CEA. We have power in numbers and it showed at the meeting otherwise the vote would not have been so close. We will be rallying please use this to help enroll new members. Download the AEA Membership Form by clicking here. If you know someone who took a form and information at the meeting about joining CEA, then follow up with them and ask them to join.
I am outraged on the tone some of the board members had when making their decision – treating us teachers as ungrateful, bad mannered, lazy employees. They made it sound like they are the ones sacrificing and we are just complaining – that we need just suck it up. Well, I for one don’t accept that. First, I’d like to see work towards ridding ourselves of board members that don’t at least listen to us. Why isn’t there a teacher on the board? Let’s find an active educator who can represent not only the district but us as teachers since the three who voted for this measure don’t seem to think our voice matters. Last, let’s not give up – keep speaking out and getting people fired up. Let’s not take this lying down!
I am still not sure how much research any of the board members actually do on their own or do they just take what is given to them from the district. I understand the board members are volunteers but they did campaign to be a board member and they have a responsibility to that position. I applaud Matt Jewett because he was the only board member with questions about the presentation, not just because he voted no but that he appeared to be open, knowledgeable, and prepared. Also thankful that Robin Ferguson kept an open mind and voted for what was right. The district needs to remember that the No votes are a wake up call to relook at the facts, note that they didn’t involve the stakeholders, didn’t provide a method for the meeting to be presented in the native language of our parents, and sneaked this in during an economic crisis time of our nation where teachers will take this abuse because we need a job. I have to wonder what other hidden agenda items the district has? Remember, next week is teacher appreciation week – I don’t know about any of you – but today I don’t feel appreciated but this district. I feel that we were slapped in the face and are expected to like it.
I wanted to comment on a few things from yesterday’s meeting.
1. I felt that we have to maintain our professionalism at all times. People look to see how others are going to react when times are hard. The extra comments when the board was speaking made everyone look bad. I do believe that board members should be held to the same standards. It is not appropriate to yell and make someone feel as if they are less than.
2. I think shame on us for not having a board that has teaching or some sort of “in the trenches” experiences. We need to get people in those positions that know what we go through.
3. CEA site stewards need to make sure that everyone is informed. Some sites knew two weeks ago, while others had just found out 2 days before the meeting. This is unacceptable.
4. We need to inform our parents as to what is happening. If we don’t tell them, they won’t know. Parents are a great support and we need to have them on our side.
5. We need to continue to work together and support one another. We are only as strong as we are united.
I too am disappointed about the teachers not being informed at the same time. We need to make sure all teachers – union and non-union know about any proposed issue at the same time. We needed more time to let our board members know how we feel, more time to get parents informed, and even the students. Let’s not let this happen again – please keep the teachers in the know, even if it is a rumor because we have to show our muscle. We may not be a unionized state, but we do have ways to be heard.
I’m so embarrassed to be a teacher after last night’s Board Meeting.
I’m not saying I’m for the extra minutes – I’m totally against working longer without being compensated. I’ve worked myself into the ground for this district for years! HOWEVER, change does not happen by speaking in a disrespectful, whiny way. If we want change, we need to organize and come prepared with research and SOLUTIONS. I didn’t hear many people offer solutions to this problem, just complaining about how hard we work. We do work hard, but all of that was negated by the way the information was presented.
Again, very embarrassed….
I wasn’t at the Board meeting because I’m in CO but I heard about it and wanted to comment…
1. I am so happy that we had such a fantastic turn-out of members at the meeting. I think there is strength in numbers and we certainly showed that last night.
2. It is important that we bond together and present that we are a strong, well-researched and respectful group. I heard that a number of teachers spoke last night, but many of the comments were disrespectful, and not well-researched. With a vote as close as 3-2, I think these things could have (possibly) had an effect.
If we speak at another meeting, I think that ANY members who wish to speak should, first, present talking points to CEA Reps so that we are getting across all of the points we want to make and doing it respectfully. We need people who are fantastic public speakers that can speak with passion and force on what we want, but still understanding why the Board wants what they want.
3. If CEA decides to go the route of a Sick-out, we need to do a LOT of research beforehand. What have other schools/districts done that have worked and what has not worked?
4. Have either of you heard words of teachers not signing contracts and looking elsewhere? I think the Board did this at a perfect time with the economy being the way it is and teachers being RIFed all over the state. It seems like their thought process is teachers can’t really find other jobs so we just have to deal with this time increase.
Again, I wish I could be there…but I guess this is the next best thing.
Katie
While the debate was heated, there was no reason to be embarrassed last night. Having been to several board meetings these things are so not in favor of guest speakers/teachers it isn’t funny. Case in point, when Mr. Jewett, who thankfully was the only board member with questions, grilled Dr. Witte and Dr. Spiller, who was there to represent the other side? Um, no one. Who gets to rebut the boards comments. No one. We get to speak – sure frustration was apparent, (there’s a fine line between passion and whining, isn’t there) but they get to lecture us and pick on our weaknesses. I would agree, this could have been better organized/structured, but I am proud of our representation and passion. Now let’s retool, be smart, and keep fighting for what we feel is best for everyone.
To go further, I do have some questions I think the board and admin haven’t addressed.
1. What is the additional time per day going to cost and how are they going to pay for it? If you think the answer is nothing, then think again. The extra time is extra electricity, more water usage, extra use of buildings, thus more materials needed – more paper, more bathroom supplies, more wear and tear. This isn’t free.
2. How are they going to do transportation? I can’t imagine having whole schools leave at the same time. So does that mean even more staggered start/finish times?
3. What is the schedule going to look like? As a special area teacher I can tell you the end of the day is not fun. The older students are unruly, the younger students are tired. As a former classroom teacher of fourth and fifth grades I saw the same thing. Lethargic children (not to mention teachers). I can’t wait for the ideas TestEd, oops, I mean WestEd has for engaging students who are running on fumes. Probably more paper folding.
I know I had more, but I didn’t write them down. I am anxious to see more from others and will add more as I can think of them.
SHOW ME DA SKIN!
A few weeks ago I attended the informational meeting on Creighton budget cuts that Dr. Boyle invited parents and teachers to attend. After admin. gave their presentation they invited the public up to a microphone to voice their concerns. Towards the very end, a former Creighton governing board member by the name of Curtis Coghill stepped up to the microphone. I was incredulous at what came out of his mouth.
“Teachers don’t have enough skin in the game,” he said. He declared that everybody in Creighton except for teachers was making sacrifices. He said that in the past Creighton had been “very generous” to its teachers in paying 100% of their insurance premiums. He said it is time that teachers start paying part of their premium. Then he went on to argue that teachers get too much paid time off, and that when teachers are ill they should have to pay the $90/day for the sub. That will save the district money, he declared.
“Teachers need to put more skin in the game.” That’s what he said.
After he finished speaking, our Superintendent stepped up and politely replied that administration had made a point of making sure that the budget crisis had the least impact on the ones on the front lines-those in the trenches, the teachers. I thought at the time that she meant it.
But now, after reflecting upon that evening at the budget meeting, it is clear to me that Creighton leadership knew then what was in store for Creighton teachers. Extended day, with no pay increase. Is it cynical or paranoid to think that leadership is exploiting the state budget crisis to extend our day without fairly compensating us? In this economy, public opinion is certain to say that we have very little choice but to be thankful that we are employed.
At last night’s board meeting, governing board member Matt Jewett attempted to get administration and other board members to think about the long-range impact of 70 minutes of extended day without pay on teacher retention. It’s sad, really, that admin and 3 board members are so short-sighted. I think it’s sad because, when the economy turns around, Creighton is going to see a mass exit of extremely talented and amazing teachers.
Today on campus some teachers, referring to the board’s 3-2 decision, were asking, “Is that it?” “What can we do?” “Is it over?”
I don’t know the answer to those questions in the short term. But, one thing that we must all do is stay involved and informed in the process.
And if you are one of those people who has asked, “What has CEA ever done for me?” Well, I can tell you, CEA worked and canvassed hard to get Curtis “Show Me Some Skin” Coghill and his buddy Joe Nolan booted off the governing board, and replaced him with our new-found friend and ally Matt Jewett.
Some how, though, in some odd way, the Curtis Coghill mentality seeped into the brains of 3 board members last night.
No one can say that Creighton teachers don’t got skin in the game now!
What can we do now? It seems apparent. It’s time to unite and help elect board members who are knowledgeable about the teaching profession, who believe in fair and adequate compensation for teachers, and who treat teachers with the respect they deserve.
The reality is our students are falling behind. As a 6th grade ELD teacher, I support the additional instructional minutes. I never have enough time to teach History and Science, and I think this is a disgrace to my students. With additional minutes, I can also spend more time in Reading Workshop and Writing Workshop where instructional differentiation is at the core and student achievement is a likely result. It certainly will be more planning, but that inherently leads to better collaboration and teamwork.
On the issue of feeling “tired,” I asked my students to express their thoughts on this topic. Here are some of their responses:
We should increase school day minutes because:
“I want to learn History every day…”
“We never have enough time to finish writing projects…”
“I have nothing to do at home anyways….”
“We don’t do enough science projects. Now we can…”
“I want to read more cool books with you teacher..”
Some have said that this “extra time” will be an extra power hour for Math. That is simply not the case, at least at my current school.
On the issue of compensation:
We only work 180 days per school year! Most jobs work nearly double that! The costs of childcare and gas would probably double under any other normal working condition. Not only that, but the administration took serious paycuts this year so that teachers’ salaries didn’t have to be cut!
Please understand we are too taking a pay cut, just not really as visible as the admin. We are loosing two professional development days, which means lost of pay for those days and we are also loosing base pay because of Sales Tax from Classroom Site Fund money and then our Pay for Performance money. Yes, costs do go up, but that does not mean it is right to extend our day and working time without compensating us. A fair compensation for a days work, while it was not said at the meeting you do know we will have to still come in early and stay later after the kids as part of our “professional day”. CEA will be working to define our contract day to prevent abuse which has consistently happened at some sites and we must stay united.
We must keep the pressure on and we must get parents involved. Letter writing campaign will be starting shortly, petitions, leaflet canvasing the neighborhood. We have momentum right now, I encourage you to tell your members & get parents, all interested community members to write, inundate the board, and Superintendents with letters expressing their concerns & incredibility about passing this unwise proclamation. I had several parents visit me today, asking what they could do & I ‘m giving them the emails of board members & supt, etc, if they don’t have internet, encouraging parents to write letters & hand them in to me so I can send them over to DO. Parents will have a lot more clout than of course us teachers, who the board has made obvious, don’t respect or listen to. Maybe they should write that they’re taking their kids out of the district because of this action.
I truely wonder what kids really said that they wanted to be at school longer? Why not rearrange the day to make those things happen? Why not find a way to get things done in an effective matter with the time we have?
I don’t think any teacher doesn’t want what is best for all children. Our children at home as well. It is not best for my children to have to stay at daycare longer hours. It is not best for my children to have to be in the car for hours.
I want my students to exceed all standards. I am asking that the board and admin really look at how we can exceed standards within our school day.
In addition, it does no good when we the union are not united. We have to support each other at all times. The board and admin look for weaknesses within our union. Let’s stand together and be united.
I can tell you not one teacher at my school site is for a longer school day. Full support, you are in the extreme minority and of course you are entitled to your opinion.
Sadly, we will be losing wonderful teachers who have had enough of being told how to teach,what to teach, when to teach, whom to teach, how to post objectives…and the list goes on. The board’s decision to approve a longer day is the last straw for many of us. I know a few teachers at my site that are considering leaving teaching altogether. For those of us who don’t have the option of leaving, I think we should hold our contracts until the last possible moment. I won’t be turning mine in until May 30th. In the meantime, parents need to be informed and have a voice. Maybe someone will listen to them.
Please spread the word for everyone not to sign there contracts to the 30th day. We need solidarity on this.