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CAT Tracks for March 9, 2012
IT'S THE LAW |
The new teacher evaluation/dismissal law...aka SB 7 (since it was a bill that originated in the Senate of the IL General Assembly.)
This is the law that I have ranted and raved about on several previous occasions...the bill advocated by none other that the Illinois Education Association.
The IEA's "Good Intentions"...to take control of the careening train wreck about to happen. Unfortunately, those "Good Intentions" have now arrived at their expected destination...HELL.
This is NOT just Cairo School District Number One...this is the State of Illinois, the sad state of Illinois.
And...
...there ain't a thing you/we can do about it.
Bears repeating:
It's the law!
The reason for this post:
The new law was a topic at yesterday's Cairo Elementary School leadership meeting.
And...
This is the month of March, the normal month of RIFs (although the new law - if I recall correctly - also shortened the "legal notice of dismissal" for tenured teachers from 60 calendar days before the last day of school to 45, what it always was for nontenured teachers.)
Immediately below is a link to a PDF file that explains the new system.
Now for the "good news"...
The heavy RIF ax wielded in CSD #1 during the past few years?
It has cut to the bone...into the bone.
Since there is still a contractual class-size limit of 30 students per class, the District's hands are pretty well tied. (For example: CSD #1 will have to continue with its two 27-student Kindergarten classes...can't have one class of 54!)
Oh, there will probably be the annual release and recall of grant-funded programs, but all-in-all...the 50 or so bones that make up the CSD #1 skeleton will be back. (I'm sure we will continue to hear rumors of the demise of the high school, but for next year at least CHS will remain.)
Speaking of the high school...
Cut electives? What electives???
So, for now...
...focus on the ISAT, the PSAE!
Spring break next month...
...last day of school most likely Tuesday, May 29th.
Hang in there!
CAT Tracks Editor's Note:
If you were expecting/wanting one of my rants and raves on this new law...
They're "out there"...done several, just can't find one right now.
Later, when I have some time, I shall do a search and post one or some, a walk down bad memory lane...
CAT Tracks Editor's Note:
Okay...I'm baaaaack!
Immediately below is the link to my first "rant" (January 8, 2011) on the push for new teacher evaluation-dismissal legislation by Illinois teachers' unions, appropriately entitled:
And, then, on April 15, 2011...
The following day, not a rant but the devilish details...
And another a few days later, entitled with sound advice...
And there are more...
...I'm just tired of looking!
Bottom line:
You have been warned.
I have ranted...and raved!
Unfortunately, that which I feared has come to pass.
CAT Tracks Editor's Note:
Although it's not considered nice, you may have noted that I have saved one title for a later time...when long-time teachers get RIFed/fired for what the IEA et al hath wrought...I Told You So!
Hey, it's 2:30 a.m. I've got alleyways to search for NEW CAT Tracks stuff, articles to post...like the "new" pill that cures racism!
Ahhh, you laughed!
Stay tuned...
POSTSCRIPT:
Learned a couple of things (okay, re-learned a couple of things) in this trip down memory lane:
CAT Tracks Editor's Note:
By contrast...
But...
All that changed during the 2001-2002 School Year...a total of 93 editions of CAT Tracks, then to infinity and beyond!!!
For those of you not around at the time (and those of you who have developed that essential CSD #1 defensive/survival mechanism - convenient amnesia), that was the year that ended with the 17-day bloodletting, aka work stoppage, aka strike. My "hobby" became the major "communication link" of CAT.
Hmmm...
Guess that needs to be my next project...develop a search engine for CAT Tracks. You know: Enter "kitteh keyword" here!
Nope...NOT gonna happen. It's Google or nothing!
I don't have the time...
Gotta wander those alleyways...looking, searching for dirt on Cairo School District Number One
Ooh, ooh, ooh...
...almost forgot!
Did you hear about the "new" pill that cures racism???
