Agreed. Unfortunately, the allegations against some teachers are becoming more frivolous, yet there are other teachers practically getting away with murder. Why? Because of their political connections, etc. Good post ...
I think it's interesting that these stories appeared in the Post. Traditionally anti union, especially public employee unions, the Post presents a rather objective account of the so called rubber room situation. Several of the teachers are shown to be there for very frivolous reasons. Additionally it is the Post that spends two full pages exploring Bloomberg and Bloomberg's compnay's very discriminatory predations. You will find none of this in the News.
Zuckerman is Bloomie's friend and Murdoch is a rival in business to each. A little business rivalry could go a long way to helping to end the siege warfare between the DoE and the teachers. if Randi were Sicilian she'd know "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" and look to connect with Murdoch in his war against the News and his willingness to take on Bloomie. This would take a creative, carefully orchestrated, and nuanced effort. Oh wait, we're talking about the UFT and Randi. Never mind.
The NY Post article was one-sided since it led with the rubber room teachers doing nothing. However, the real story should be the DOE abuse of the 3020a process. The 3020a law is for serious misconduct and the rest of the state follows this process. The DOE, on the other hand, files 3020a charges for the most frivolous actions.
In particular, if the teacher is 50+ look for the DOE to be tough as they try to get rid of older, veteran teachers.
Randi's position is to find ways to help the DOE expedite the cases when it is the DOE's fault in the first place. Who's side is she on anyway?
One of the things the reporter for the Post told everyone she interviewed was that her brother in law was unfairly put in the RR and lost his job over it. Everyone hoped for a more sympathetic story.
I knew about one case mentioned in the article where a HS chapter leader was railroaded into the RR based on a frivolous allegation by one kid who just happened to drop into school one day after loads of absences. It was so obvious to the entire school that this was wrong and the teachers were so angry over the fact that they had no union rep in the school at a crucial part of the year, (in addition to the kids not having their teacher with regents coming up) somehow the teacher only spent 6 weeks in the RR before being cleared.
The DOE only gets to do an investigation. Jeff Kaufman called on the UFT to hire paralegals to do their own investigation to assure a speedier and fairer process. The UFT wasn't interested as they have better ways to spend the dues.
I couldnt believe it when I read the article. How could someone retain their title after such allegations. I guess I live in a bubble. I feel just as schocked as I did when Arnie became govenor. Fabulous post!
In usdcourt in central islip prose fighting use and abuse of the 3020a law could use help and some more insights on the spraying and praying the culpability of nysut and the doe.god help us all Savy , math teacher and coach. the fat lady has not sung yet
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