Intercepts

Back in 2003, Sacramento High School was closed and reopened as a charter school (under an organization run by Kevin Johnson, likely to be the city's next mayor). The Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) sued, and under a settlement with the school district a new high school was to be opened to replace Sacramento High, even though Sacramento High was still there.

Well, after much planning and the expenditure of $26,000 in research costs, the school board decided to locate the new school on the site of a closed elementary school. However, the first phase of renovation and reconstruction is on hold because the district has managed to entice a grand total of 12 students to attend.

So, although the legal settlement requires the creation of a new school, the board won't spend the additional $1 million for building renovation and the hiring of a principal until demand reaches 150 students.

The SCTA president is a bit chagrined, though steadfast that the school needs to be built. It's enough to drive you to road rage.

Posted by Mike Antonucci at 07:49 | Permalink | Comments

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D) on the union-backed bill to expand the scope of public sector collective bargaining in the state:

"While I have always been a strong supporter of workers rights and collective bargaining, a close examination of House File 2645 shows that it is not in the best interests of the taxpayers of Iowa to let this legislation become law. It is vaguely written with the potential for far reaching, unintended consequences that could obligate the citizens of Iowa to substantial new public expenditures. Therefore, I will veto the bill."

Story here. Iowa State Education Association reaction here.

Posted by Mike Antonucci at 15:35 | Permalink | Comments

The 32 teachers and support workers of the Construction Careers Center have voted to join AFT's St. Louis local. They are the first charter school employees in Missouri to unionize.

Meanwhile, the 150 school support employees of the Greencastle-Antrim School District voted against joining the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

Posted by Mike Antonucci at 08:14 | Permalink | Comments

"Calif. teachers union wields influence over budget process" - Associated Press headline.

Posted by Mike Antonucci at 08:01 | Permalink | Comments

Click here to read:

1) McCain Polls Unusually Well Among NEA Members
2) Everyone Take One Step Forward: Van Roekel, Eskelsen Declared Elected
3) Let's Face It: Most People Don't Care About Education Policy
4) Lessons in Media Management
5) District Spending Data Updated for Five More States
6) Labor Disclosure Reports Will Include Individual Benefits
7) Charter School Schadenfreude
8) Headline of the Week
9) Last Week's Intercepts
10) Quote of the Week

Posted by Mike Antonucci at 12:44 | Permalink | Comments

Posted by Mike Antonucci at 08:30 | Permalink | Comments

If you don't get enough of that here, head over to this post on Alexander Russo's District 299 blog for a virtual cornucopia of tales from the depths of the Chicago Teachers Union. You'll need to work your way through all the comments, but it's worth it.

Posted by Mike Antonucci at 08:17 | Permalink | Comments

Lost in the national importance of the North Carolina Democratic primaries was the defeat of North Carolina Association of Educators President Eddie Davis in his bid to win the party's nomination for state superintendent of public instruction. Incumbent June Atkinson won by a margin of 53%-47%.

I guess the union will have to control the North Carolina public school system the old-fashioned way - from the outside.

Posted by Mike Antonucci at 08:25 | Permalink | Comments