CAT Tracks for March 8, 2002 "AIN'T NO WAY!"

RIFs & EXPENDITURE REDUCTION

Word spread rapidly throughout the District about the superintendent's "Recomendations for RIF/Expenditure Reduction"...both before and after his announcement at the conclusion of March 6th's special meeting of the Cairo Board of Education. This was unsettling news for sure...BUT...DON'T PANIC! Get mad if you want! For sure...ASK QUESTIONS! The CAT has demanded to bargain this decision and will explore and challenge this proposed "gutting" of the District...fully!

A simple example...How do you cut seven (7) certified employees from the CJHS staff...not counting the elimination of the Dean of Students at that building? That's what the handout says...cut "2 LA Teachers, 2 SS Teachers, 2 Math Teachers, and a 6th Grade Self-Contained teacher." (It comes as news to the Association that there IS such a thing at CJHS as a 6th grade "Self-Contained Teacher"...not to mention that ALL teachers at CJHS teach multiple subjects...i.e. there are no "LA teachers, SS teachers, or Math teachers". Ya live and learn.)

Keep in mind that these are recommendations (for disaster)...based upon other recommendations; namely, a budget proposal by the Governor of Illinois. This is politics...there is no telling what the final outcome will be. Speaking of "politics"...don't forget that this is a "negotiations year". It is to the administration's advantage to create a little "uncertainty"...and a lot is better! (And they complained about our "veiled threats"!) So...take all of this...and whatever more you hear...with a grain of salt. In the short run, there is never any way of knowing what this District will do. However, rest assured that in the long run...THIS plan will not stand.

AND SPEAKING OF NEGOTIATIONS...

The session planned for tomorrow, Saturday, March 9th, fell through due to other commitments by members of the Board's team. However...a "regular" session is now scheduled for this coming Monday night...AND...the first MEDIATION SESSION is scheduled for Saturday, March 16th.

REMEMBER...

Timely updates are available on the web...at www.geocities.com/cattracks.geo