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Stafford teachers exploring protest
Stafford Education Association considers options for protesting school budget
BY JEFF BRANSCOME
Date published: 4/26/2008
BY JEFF BRANSCOME
Some Stafford County teachers may start to work shorter hours and avoid unpaid after-school activities to protest what they think is inadequate local funding.
The Stafford Education Association is weighing options for fighting what it calls a cycle of "devaluization" of schools. One of those is the "work to the rule" tactic, in which teachers are urged not to exceed the 7-hour day required by their contracts.
They would be discouraged from arriving at work early or staying late to grade papers. They also would avoid unpaid work and activities, such as tutoring and PTA meetings.
"Work to the rule" is one of five options for a 30-day campaign called "Restore Our Value." The group will soon poll its 1,200 members and hopes to enact any combination of the five by mid-May, said SEA President Jannette Martin.
The less-controversial choices include protests outside county offices and schools, and a media event to spotlight the organization's concerns, according to an SEA handout.
SEA Vice President Suzanne Battista gave the School Board clerk a written copy of the group's proposed campaigns after voicing her concerns at a meeting Tuesday.
Battista could not be reached for comment this week.
"The feeling is that this budget concern has been going on for three years, and that we have to make a statement," said Martin, who teaches at Rockhill Elementary. She said she's not yet sure what specific action the School Board and Board of Supervisors could take to stop the protests.
Earlier this week, supervisors approved a $767,500 increase in local funds for schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The School Board had asked for a $15.4 million increase.
The SEA is upset that Superintendent David Sawyer's revised spending plan eliminates a 2.5 percent cost-of-living raise. That means 110 of the division's highest-paid teachers wouldn't see a change in their salaries next fiscal year, said Patty Sullivan, director of budget and grants.
Returning teachers not at the top of the pay scale would receive a 2.5 percent "step increase" guaranteed in their contracts, which Martin said isn't enough to keep up with inflation.
The School Board hasn't approved any of the suggested cuts but could do so at a meeting May 5.
School Board member John LeDoux said he understands teachers' frustrations but wouldn't comment on their proposed campaigns because he hasn't seen them in writing.
School Board member Robert Belman said people need to keep in mind the economic climate.
"The funding's not there," he said. "I don't know what they'd like us to do or where they expect the money to come from."
Board of Supervisors Chairman George Schwartz said he thinks teachers' time would be better served in the classroom, but he wouldn't comment further.
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Other examples of teacher protests across the country:
BALTIMORE: The Baltimore Sun reported this month that Baltimore County's 9,000-member Teachers Association protested a lack of raise by starting a work-to-rule job action.
FAIRFAX: The Washington Post reported in 2006 that Fairfax County's education association held a "work to the rule" day. Many teachers did no unpaid work, including tutoring or grading papers, The Post reported. Some rescheduled meetings or canceled after-school sessions with students.
MINNESOTA: In November, the Star Tribune in Minneapolis reported that teachers in the Prior Lake-Savage School District initiated "work to the rule" to protest a lack of progress in contract negations between the district and the teachers' union.
NEW YORK: In 1992, The New York Times reported that many teachers nationwide refused to write letters of recommendation for college-bound students because they were upset by budget cuts. Teachers eliminated after-school tutoring and other duties not in their contracts. The Times reported that many students and parents did not sympathize with the teachers.
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Does this hurt the kids?
Sometimes it is necessary to do something that causes short-term hardship in order to achieve long-term gain. The kids benefit in the long run from a strong school system, which is what we are fighting for.
My principal is holding a faculty meeting after school. Should I skip it?
NO! But suggest to the principal that he/she try to have it after school before the end of the contract day.
I am receiving a supplement or stipend for coaching or for an after-school activity. Should I continue to coach during work to the rule?
YES! Any activity beyond the school day for which you are receiving compensation should be continued. |
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Date published: 4/26/2008
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Actually, if you are going to close schools to cut down the "empty desk" situation, let's close Moncure, Drew, Falmouth and Stafford High. All are old and in prime areas for retail development. In the meantime, let's fund our schools and pay our teachers what they deserve.
There are counties around with higher ESL populations that perform better than Stafford. The reason is that they have a better program in place for these students than what we have in Stafford. When you have more than half of the students in one class that speak English as a second language, and say, "I don't understand", to everything you say, everyone in the class suffers. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience in Stafford schools, but trust me, there are good teachers out there.
There are several school systems around here with way more
ESL students per capita that are way ahead of Stafford. As far
as low pay one of the highest scoring counties in the state is
Orange and they are spending 30% less than Stafford and
Spotsylvania per student. I attended Stafford schools from 3rd
thru 12th grades there were very very few teachers that
actually cared about thier students and worked more than 7
hours per day unless they were being paid extra for coaching
or extracuricular activities.
Because someone brought up scores, I just have to mention the high ESL population. These students have to take SOL tests, and many of them speak little to no English. How do you suppose they're going to do? Do you think schools with a high ESL population are going to make AYP? Add on to that the fact that many of these students couldn't care less, just taking up a seat and doing nothing. Day after day, after day. But teachers and schools are held responsible for their scores. Fair? Ummmm.
I'll tell you why. excellent teachers have ALREADY left Stafford and aren't being replaced at all or are being replaced by very inexperienced teachers. My coworkers average experience is less than FIVE yrs.. FYI, I work about ten hrs a day (with no lunch) and 6-7 hrs each Sunday. Teaching is my 2nd career & I am going back to my first "professional job." so I can see my family once in a while! Bellman and Schwarz- good luck keeping prop values up in a district will falling scores!
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Star Directory
Dana1, I'll check into it
(posted by
staffmom
, May 2, 2008 3:03 pm)
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