Read the July 20, 2009 Regular FOP Meeting - Minutes, specifically "Motions #5 & #6".

A word about "procedure"...

CAT Tracks was not able to provide "proof" earlier because whatever happens at a meeting - The Minutes - cannot be published until AFTER the next meeting...AFTER being reviewed and approved by the members of the governing body. THAT did not happen until late August.

In a postscript...

At the Regular Meeting of the CSD #1 FOP in August, the FOP repeated their denial of the new position of Assistant Principal at CJSHS, turning down an "appeal" by Cairo Superintendent of Schools Leotis D. Swopes (on behalf of the Cairo Board of Education?)

The observable FACT that Cairo School District officials CONTINUE TO DEFY the "confirmed allegation" above was the background for the posting "Who's in Charge?" on August 21st. Since there has been NO CHANGE in the status quo since the FOP repeated its denial, the question remains to be answered.

Stay tuned...

In a further postscript...

The monitoring and reporting by CAT Tracks of this "power struggle" between the Cairo BOE and the Cairo FOP has NOTHING to do with the personalities...the individuals involved. As long as proper advertising and hiring procedures are followed, I don't give a CAT's butt who gets the job...and sincerely hope and trust that they will do an excellent job.

It's all about the money!!!

The Cairo Board of Education and the Cairo Financial Oversight Panel cried "WOLF" - as usual - during negotiations...claiming the District was BROKE...on the verge of bankruptcy...maybe in 2012, for sure by 2014.

The CAT negotiating team (with great misgivings based upon "past practice") took the BOE and the FOP at their word...and reluctantly recommended that its members accept the bare-bones offer.

BAM!

The ink wasn't even dry on the contract when the Cairo Board of Education launched it spending spree...creating not one, but TWO new administrative positions...positions that would cost the District at least $150,000.

To put that $150,000 in perspective...

What they put "on the table" for TWO (2) new administrative positions is at least $50,000 more than what they gave to SIXTY (60) CATs...the people actually in the classroom...the people directly responsible for educating the children of Cairo School District Number One!

And you wonder why I'm pissed?

So...I REPEAT...it's not "who" is involved...it's "what" is involved...the throwing away of $150,000 that the District claimed they did not have!