CAT Tracks for June 5, 2002 IT'S UP TO YOU...

Received a call from Superintendent Isom at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday morning...

The District is willing to pay back the money that was docked from teachers when it took away your sick day for going out on strike. The District is willing to do that as early as tomorrow...Wednesday, June 5th.

BUT...he indicated that some teachers had already told central office personnel that they were willing to wait until the June 15th paycheck (to be received on June 14th).

Based upon this information, I told Superintendent Isom to contact the people so affected and determine their individual preferences and proceed accordingly. (Geez...I hate it when I'm "wimpy"!)

COMMENT:

I have no way of knowing what has transpired and do not know each individual's preference...that is why I answered as I did.

If it were me...I would want MY money yesterday...Monday...24 hours after I would have notified the District of its error. BUT...I was not one that was affected. Each person has her/his own tolerance level.

As teachers, we tend to be somewhat malleable...we take a lot of stuff on a day-to-day basis and tend to develop a high level of tolerance. It's how we survive...how we keep from "going off".

BUT...REMEMBER...these people have taken thousands of dollars from you...to punish you! SOMEBODY on that side came up with this idea...to "twist the knife". How often do we turn the other cheek?

They like to paint me as the "bad guy"...demanding "unreasonable" actions on behalf of the members. I don't have a problem with that...I made that choice back in 1989...to be the "BAD CAT". I will stand as the "lightning rod" through whatever comes down.

BUT...each of us needs to come to grips with what we find ourselves in...a virtual state of war...declared by the Board of Education when they docked you 17 days of pay...and starting dreaming up these other "nasties".

It's time to show them that they have gone too far...that the members of the CAT are "mad as hell and won't take it anymore!"

Yes...be civil when dealing with personnel. But...don't be timid in demanding what is rightfully yours under the specific terms of the contractual agreement.

AGAIN...you are the strongest bunch of CATs that I have ever had the honor to represent. When I and other members of the bargaining team got a little down, you pulled us up and re-energized us. And that's what I am saying to you now...stay strong...expect and demand what is due you. That is the only way the Board of Education and the administration of Cairo School District Number One will ever learn to respect you...Amen!

I do love you guys for how you have handled adversity and remained united. You are some bad as...uh...appreciated CATs!