Oh Mona Davids is in an uproar again. Poor, poor, Mona, how her crocodile tears do flow.

The Daily News reported today that parents (And rightly so) are upset that the school day has been rescheduled in 450 to accommodate the 80 minutes of PD on Mondays and the 75 minutes of parent involvement on Tuesdays. Surely, Mona is happy with the article, her name is mentioned.


So of course Mona took to Facebook to spew off some propaganda and untruths (Click to enlarge).

Mona says in regard to the added time; How unfortunate it is that when it come to issues like this it always seems to be teachers first and students last.

Yeah, teachers really like this. You think the teachers asked for this? But guess what? Since 2005 there has been an added 150 minutes a week, 37 /12 minutes a day, added to school. The difference is that schools could have SBO votes and condense those 150 minutes into 2 or 3 days as my school did for years as well as other schools did. But schools can have SBO votes to spread out the time.

During the UFT teachers contract negotiations parents were NOT ALLOWED to have any input even though that contract affected 1.1 million public school students. 

Heck, the teachers had no say, why would Mona expect the parents to have a say?

Why do the teachers get the blame? The last The Crack Team checked the DOE also signed the contract. So why not kvetch about the DOE not allowing parental input? Besides, didn't the light of Mona's eyes, Campbell Brown, call for time after the school day for teachers to interact with parents? 

The Crack Team wonders if NYPD, FDNY, DC37, and other city unions have community involvement in their contract negotiations. In light of what transpired in Staten Island, where is Mona asking for involvement in current NYCPBA and NYC contract negotiations?

Now that some parents want to discus the quality of education via a tenure lawsuit that WAS NOT brought against the UFT, the UFT is using their legal muscle to bully their way on to the lawsuit because it affects their members.

Using muscle? The UFT must be the Corleone Family? Why doesn't Mona come clean and share who is funding her lawsuits as well as Campbell Brown's? Why doesn't Mona come clean and share specifically how the students and families she is using and giving false hope to were harmed? In fact Mona should have some guts and name these teachers.

An attack on one teacher, an attack on our rights, is an attack on all. But we shan't repeat what was already said.

Is it just me or does anyone else see the hypocrisy and the complete and total lack of respect the UFT has for parents when student needs clash with teachers needs?

Mona needs to stop with the histrionics. Oy vey! As one can see, Mona is growing desperate. She knows she has a losing case. She knows she sold her lackeys a bill of goods. She knows people are starting to see her for what she really is (here, here, here, and here). She and her Minion Sam Pirozzolo are starting to be exposed rather quickly and caught in their lies, double dealings, and hypocrisy. There is nothing left to do but to take the low ground. Like calling people a racist, right Mona? 

The NYC Parents Union has been shouting about this issue since the first moments after details of the new teachers contract were announced. But the DoE and the UFT have consistently ignored and played dumb about the situation.

Oh now Mona brings in the DOE. A few paragraphs back it is the UFT's fault. Mona can't make up her mind.

Is it possible the UFT and the DOE are not playing dumb or ignorant and just don't want to deal with Mona? 

The ironic part it has been the rank and file that has been the most vocal about this. The very same rank and file that Mona is attempting to destroy.

But Mona is in this for Mona. Let's put this to Mona; Mona, why not drive up the Thruway, or have Sam Pirozzolo chauffeur you, and fight for the students of East Ramapo? Go into the sheitls of Monsey, Kaser, and New Square and get a little educational pogrom happening? 

Why won't Mona advocate for the students of East Ramapo? Because there is no there there in Rockland County. No publicity, one newspaper, one radio station, and one cable news channel. Mona wants the accolades, the rewards, the parades.

Wait, there is the Rockland Boulders. Yes, The Crack Team will arrange for Mona to throw out the first ball at a Boulders game if Mona fights for the students of East Ramapo. There will be around 4,000 fans there to cheer Mona on. To applaud her. To ask her for autographs. It will be all Mona. 

That is unless we can raise about $5K and give it to Mona to flip sides. Again.

Come back to the five and dime, Mona Davids, Mona Davids.

I did what I was supposed to do yesterday. I got home about 4:30 ignored my wife and son and went into the office to watch UFT & Friends on the computer.

I made sure that all three modes, Twitter, email, and the phone, were working so that I might share what was on my mind.

Yes, I truly thought of making some far out political statement, like "Give us a good contract or give us death," or something like that, but I thought the better. The ATR's needed what support and I anyone else can give and this was the time to ask hard questions.

Seriously though, I did think that for a moment my phone call and question will be piped in live like "Donahue" and I would be able to question President Mike directly. It was not to be.

I called in at 5:01 and asked a simple question (Though for some reason I had to give my school, district, and license area);

"If an ATR goes on an interview and is not offered the position will that count as a strike against them towards them leading to an expedited 3020-a?"

The person on the other end told me no it wasn't but we both agreed that there are many out there wondering and that it would be good to get the word out there (Though we here at SBSB seemed to have come up with a loophole).

To hedge my bets I emailed a question in;

Subject: ATR Interviews From: So BronxSchool  
To: [email protected]
 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=f46d041b9afc5e7b7e04f9c7112d  --f46d041b9afc5e7b7e04f9c7112d 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 
 If an ATR is interviewed and does not receive the position, does this count towards one of the 50 day strikes against?   

Still wishing to hedge against the possible propaganda I then tweeted;

WhT about reduced due process? #UFTWebcast
— Bronx Teacher (@SoBronxSchool) May 19, 2014

Nothing. But finally, Kevin from Fort Lee NJ (Click here to get the "joke) came up with a question about ATR's.


So nothing about ATR's and their REDUCED due process? Mulgrew claims the media and previous administration made ATR's out to be made people? Gosh! Throwing them under the bus as they are in this contract is not helping their public perception!!!

Then Mulgrew calls the ATR's great assets which I tweeted and still awaiting a reply;

@UFT what about reduced due process? @UFT
— Bronx Teacher (@SoBronxSchool) May 19, 2014

Worse, he flippently suggests that, and I believe he is referring to ATR's, that "they should find another profession, and we'll help you," to which I responded;

Good find me another profession. I want to manage @Yankees @uft @MOREcaucusNYC  #UFTWebcast
— Bronx Teacher (@SoBronxSchool) May 19, 2014

So that was it for the ATR question. I waited and waited and waited for another question about the ATR's. Sadly, there were to be no more.

Of course there were 6 questions about pay, 3 about retirement, 4 about evaluations, 5 about educational issues, 4 about the workday, but not more than 1 about what I feel, and many, many others feel is the most important issue, the treatment of the ATR's!

As discussed here, Mulgrew is clearly avoiding any deep discussion and/or mention of the ATR's other than to gloss it over with, "Hey, they will now be working regardless of how much money they make."

And why should he? He had an "audience" of trained Unity shills. The webcast didn't even waste any one's time in even attempting to give the appearance of impartiality.  This was propaganda at its finest.

If on the off chance that an ATR does pass muster to fill a vacancy what is to stop a principal from getting rid of a veteran ATR when a new, or somewhat new teacher becomes available for that position? Would the principal need to show cause to show that ATR to the door? If so, we all know how creative principals can get when they want to be.

Even if Tweed will be paying that ATR's salary, why would a principal want, in their school, a veteran teacher that is capable of thinking for themselves and not want someone they can mold in their own graven image?

Mulgrew and Unity have not settled the ATR issue, in fact they have made it more complicated and worse off for those without a school.

Mulgrew had a golden opportunity yesterday to allay fears of the ATR's and to counter what the pundits and bloggers are saying. Instead he decided to kick the ball down the road, close his eyes and hope the problem goes away.

Mulgrew knows he made a bad deal for the ATR's and he's hoping that the ignorance of the rank and file will come save the day again for him.

I do not care how much money in raises and retro pay I am offered. I could not, can not, and will not under any circumstances vote for this contract until the ATR's have full due process rights and a fair procedure to be hired permanently into schools.

VOTE NO ON THE CONTRACT. THE ATR YOU SAVE MIGHT BE YOURSELF ONE DAY!

Lots been said about the plight of the ATR's in the contract agreement between the city and their pals at the UFT, well we mean Unity. We shared what we don't like here, here, and here, as well as the anxiety shared by the ATR's, on how the new and unimproved assignment and treatment of ATR's will put the careers of many, if not all, at peril.

As we have heard and read, and according to the UFT Memorandum of Agreement, an ATR can be removed from a school after 50 days for;

...problematic behavior, means behavior that is inconsistent with the expectations established for professionals working in school

Now just what is problematic behavior? It would help that there would be a list of a guide of such behaviors made public to help steer the ATR's away from engaging in such types of behavior that will get them terminated. It is safe to assume that, insubordination, sexual harassment of staff, verbal harassment of staff, corporal punishment, verbal abuse, improper touching, can and will be problematic and will sustain in being voted off the island.

We all know that a principal with an idea to get someone can be problematic and can and will lie and get others to lie for them.The Crack Team looked into this problematic issue of what else constitutes problematic behavior and contacted appropriate people within the DOE.

Sources shared with The Crack Team a memo, put together by the Labor Relations team at Tweed, which was blasted out through Outlook to all the principals entitled; "Problematic Behavior for Problematic ATR's and How To Get Rid of Said ATR's Unproblemmaticaly." The Crack Team was allowed to read the memo and take notes but were forbidden to make copies.

Problematic Behavior, according to Labor Relations consists of;


Breathing

A Heartbeat

Showing up

Having a heartbeat

Walking in the front door

Being over the age of 40

Gray hair

Male pattern baldness

Reading Glasses

Arthritis

Being Menopausal  

Having Acid Reflux disease

Ability to identify Bob McAllister

Having independence of thought

Treating colleagues respectfully

Belief in a God other than the one the principal believes in

Not seeing the principal as a deity

Choosing Riker over Spock as the better first officer

Belief that Shemp was funnier than Curley

Belief that Joe Besser was funnier than Shemp

Belief that Andy Kaufman is still alive (Oh oh! I'm doomed)

Belief that Billy Preston was the "5th Beatle"

You prefer David Lee Roth over Sammy Hagar

You prefer Wolfgang Van Halen over Michael Anthony

You believe that Elton John's best work has has come since 1982

Taking a sick day

Leaving work in an emergency because your child was in horrible accident 

Putting family first

Putting others first

Contributing to the well being of the community

Your smile

Your dentures

The way you walk

The way you talk

The color of your skin

Your sex

The principal did not get any the previous night

The principal wanted you and you didn't put out

You leave before 6 PM

You arrive later than 6 AM

You expect to be paid per session

You expect to be treated respectfully

You don't invite your principal to your kid's bar mitzvah

You get pregnant

Death in the family

You die and fail to come to work

Carrying a Coca-Cola

You get in a car accident the previous day and break every bone in your body and can't come in the next day

The way you look

Anything and everything about you. 

You refuse to live in the principal's colon


There is nothing you can't do to stop a person you has it in for you. If they want to nail you they can and they will. They need a witness? It is easy. There are enough lackies, sycophants, etc... in a school, a principal will find one.


VOTE NO ON THE CONTRACT. THE CAREER YOU SAVE MIGHT BE YOUR OWN OR SOMEONE ELSE'S.

Ooh, The Crack Team has had quite a lot of fun the last few days deciphering the new contract and
how it affects ATR's. In fact it has been like shooting fish in a barrel it's been that easy.

But The Crack Team needs to rest up and we here at SBSB figure it's time to let those most affected by the wheels of the UFT Unity bus have their turn. In fact, they have had their turn, we are just reprinting what they said elsewhere © (Just can't say where.)

So for those followers, especially on the UFT Facebook page who think that this contract is just darn tootin' dandy.

Read the words of colleagues going through the anxiety and uncertainty of what will and can happen to them. It's called empathy, something many need to learn.

Any names, etc... have been altered to protect privacy.

On May 6, 2014 9:41 AM, "'Commander Sisko' via ATR Chapter Committee" wrote:

As one who frequents the open market webpage there's slim pickings.  At least for me so far.
And yes the principals hide their vacancies. As for the mandatory interviews, they are a sham I have gone to two where I spend hours preparing an integrated cross content  lesson, spruced up my resume, suited up demoed the lesson to hear not a word one way or the other  after I send my thank yous. Another email was an invitation to interview and they were so inconsiderate of my time and my obligations as an ATR to the school I was assigned to as they were using me frequently in the classroom.

As for what to expect from the DOE, the UFT?   We have to rely on each other and help one another!

-----Original Message-----
From: Janice Rand <YeomanRand@Enterprise.com>

Subject: Re: I am against this contract and this tweet is why
                                  
what's to guarantee that principals won't hide their openings and still 
hire newbies as they have done before?????

We need a precise definition of "misconduct" and what qualifies as 
"documented" proof? 

 From: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2014 11:52 AM Eastern Standard Time


Dear Mr. Mulgrew,

 It appears the due process rights of ATRs have been diminished by the language and stipulations in the proposed contract:      

1) The term "problematic behavior" can be more widely construed than the term "misconduct", which allows principals and the DOE latitude to go after ATRs. The definition given for "problematic " as "behavior that is inconsistent with the expectation established for professionals working in schools", is very vague. Why should ATRs be held to a different standard than other teachers?

2) The UFT has allowed the DOE to taint the professionalism of those in the ATR pool. Why is there a stipulation that those who go through the 3020a process can be prevented from going on interviews or placed in provisional positions? Does this apply to 3020 a hearings that took place in past years also? Often, teachers who went through the 3020a process were retaliated against by their principal. They should not be further penalized and stigmatized through this discrimination but allowed the opportunity to be back in the classroom.

3) The idea of having language in the contract that an ATR who misses two interviews or shows up to an assignment more than two days late is considered to have "voluntarily resigned", reflects the disdain that the DOE has for ATRs. The UFT should have objected to this unprofessional and biased language. which is offensive.

4) The expedited process for removing ATRs for "problematic behavior" is open to abuse by the DOE.

5) There is no remediation concerning the roving supervisors who violate the contract and rights of ATRs through their teaching observations in settings that are arbitrary and disconnected from our daily duties of covering classes. Will the roving supervisors continue to observe ATRs teaching students they have never met in arbitrary settings?


The UFT has benignly neglected the ATR pool. We have not been hired in permanent positions since 2011 because of salary issues, yet the UFT has allowed the myth to perpetuate that we are unwanted, poor teachers. In addition, to say that a high percentage of ATRs are in provisional positions is misleading because most will be sent back to the ATR pool by principals next month, who will then hire new teachers.

 I was supporting this new contract but after reading the fine print, I have reservations.

On 05/05/14, Colonel Hogan wrote:

 

Let's say that you are instructed by an AP to provide an alternate path for "earning" credits late in the year for those students who didn't think working throughout the year was important and your path proves too challenging for the student who wishes to do nothing and be rewarded for it. Can an AP claim you are insubordinate? Of course. And is that considered misconduct? Of course. Even if Farina and di Blasio have the best intentions and execute the terms of the contract fairly, remember this contract will be in effect for the next mayor and will be so until another is approved. If that mayor is Christine Quinn or Bill Gates or Campbell Brown or Lhota or Scott Brown, can they use the provisions to attack and decimate union membership? Of course. Don't talk just to ATR's; shout it from the rooftops that this deal is to be avoided. This contract is all givebacks for a mere pittance and there are still too many people in Tweed and the networks there to take advantage of the loopholes. Even if you trust who is in office now, would you sign that same contract with Bloomberg?

On May 5, 2014 9:11 PM, "Howard" wrote:

To Fonzie's point, the issues of defining precisely misconduct was something that Mulgrew dodged at the Exec Bd tonight.

There you have it. Real people, real ATR's, really concerned about there future. It sickens The Crack Team to read how others are voting for this contract because they only care about the money.

All ATR's demand our outright loyalty, our outright attention, and they have every expectation to know that the rank and file has their backs.

The Crack Team got a phone call from an intrepid Mainstream Media reporter today inquiring if we knew of any ATR's that would like to comment on the mass email El Presidenté Mike Mulgrew blasted out to them Monday evening. We told our intrepid reporter that we do not, yet shared with him that our curiosity is now piqued and if he can share more with us. Being a New York newspaper reporter he did not have all the facts and sent us on our own to learn more.

A siren call was soon sent throughout the land of the ATR's for this magic memo. The Crack Team must have it's hands upon it. We needed to decipher it, to decode it, to touch it.

The call was soon filled by one of our earliest groupies who was more than eager to pull uncover the encasement of the UFT contract as it pertains to ATR's. To unmask and deflower Mulgrew and his web of prevarication, or as Mulgrew calls it, "myths."

Let it be known that The Crack Team as thoroughly run this muckety muck through the SBSB computers and have actually formulated reality from the fantasy to be published forthwith.

When the previous administration let it be known that it intended to summarily fire all members in the Absent Teacher Reserve, we as a union made a commitment to stand by our members. We held true to that commitment throughout our negotiations, and the results are in this new contract.

You stood up to Bloomberg, yet folded like a cheap off the rack suit that had been marked down 5 times at Moe Ginsburg's with this administration. What gives? Yes, you stood up for the ATR's throughout the negotiations but you weren't there when it mattered most, at the end of the negotiations.

The contract preserves your rights and improves your chances of permanent placement. And, of course, you will participate in the contractual raises and working-condition changes that we won for all members. The press coverage, however, has included some myths about how ATRs are treated under the new contract and misconceptions abound. We want to be sure you have the facts and know your rights.

So the new ATR deal in the contract improves ATR chances like if they buy two raffle tickets instead of 1? Yes, of course they will participate in contractual raises, that is if they still are employed in a year, or not dead by 2020. 

But why complain about the press when the UFT could have headed the press off at the pass (I hate that cliché!) if Mike Mulgrew was forthright immediately, so please, blaming the press is quite specious.

Myth #1 (the biggest one!):
The city is going to fire the ATRs.
Reality:
No UFT member, whether an ATR or otherwise, will ever be automatically fired. Any ATR may accept, at his or her sole discretion, a voluntary severance package based on years of service.

Actually The Crack Team has yet to hear that myth. Maybe Él Presidenté Mulgrew is projecting?

But that severance package seems neat! How much will each ATR receive? Will it be worth it for a teacher who is 3 years from retirement to take such a package?

Myth #2:
Schools still won't hire ATRs because they are too expensive.
Reality:
Under the new contract, schools that select ATRs for permanent placement will not have that ATR's salary included in the school's average teacher salary calculation, which means that principals no longer have a reason to pass over more senior educators in favor of newer hires with lower salaries.

 Reality: Principals will not take a 20 year vet for the simple fact it is better to have a pliable ignorant 1st year teacher rather than a veteran, even if that veteran will accept zero salary.

Myth #3:
The contract includes a new way to get rid of ATRs.
Reality:
Not true. ATRs actually get improved access to job placements. Between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15, 2014, the DOE must send ATRs on interviews for vacancies in their districts and boroughs, and ATRs must attend all of those interviews. After Oct. 15, ATRs are required to accept provisional assignments to schools with a vacancy in their license area within their district or borough. If there is no school with a vacancy in their district or borough, they will continue to be rotated within their district.

OK, the ATR goes on all interviews, then what? What if the ATR does not get a position, is that strike 1? What is to keep principals and administrators from conspiring to hire ATR's solely to set up ATR's up to fail to be rid of many of them or just one in particular? It's happened before, it'll happen again.

See the primer here on how not to get hired.

Myth #4:
ATRs are going to lose their due process rights.
Reality:
No ATR can be disciplined or fired unless a hearing officer decides that is appropriate in a 3020-a hearing. An ATR who has been placed in a vacancy and is removed by two successive principals for documented misconduct — not pedagogy — may be subject to discipline. The DOE must prove the charge of misconduct through an expedited 3020-a process.

No, ATR's do not lose their due process rights, they just have less due process rights than others. Kind of like Animal Farm, some teachers are more equal than others. 

But again, what is misconduct? Is the definition the same as in hockey, or like when I was brought up on misconduct charges for carrying a cup of coffee in my hand? Anyway, this seems too open to interpretation and abuse.

The new contract agreement between the UFT and the DOE, which will go out for your ratification soon, is a strong contract for all our members, including all our ATRs.

Oh dear God, the entire Crack Team is on the floor laughing so hard they are wetting themselves, the Coca Cola they had been drinking is coming out through their nostrils and they are all choking on Doritos. 

Sincerely,

Michael Mulgrew

This is a horrible, horrible deal for the ATR's. I, and many of the people I know, will not sit idly by and watch as these people are the sacrificial lambs led to slaughter by the UFT. We are only as strong as our weakest link and we must be there for them when they need support the most.

This contract must not ever be ratified.

I wish to thank UFT President Mike Mulgrew for graciously sending out not one, but two, emails
regarding the new contract. It was chock full of information that I, an informed UFT member, need and which will allow me to properly discuss when mocked by the chimps at the Bronx Zoo for being part of a union that can't do right by it's members.

As discussed on these pages this past Thursday, the throwing under the bus of the ATR's is a deal breaker for us here at SBSB and apparently all those with a modicum of independent thought. As we were reading our personal message from President Mulgrew we sucked in the details he wished to share with us. Unfortunately, President Mulgrew only wants us to know the news he wants us to know and not anything else. Which leaves it up to us, myself and The Crack Team, to share what wasn't shared.

President Mulgrew is super duper excited about how great the contract is. I have never read such a superbly excited letter addressed to me ever in my life. But one thing is bugging us here at SBSB. Something seems to be missing. Can you guess what it is?



Figure it out? Who needs more time? Of all the new and exciting thingys we now have in the contract, the pay raise and retro pay that will take almost a decade to receive, the new merit pay for teachers with levels that seems to be named after trim models for automobiles, to the new (I have goosebumps now as I am writing this!) lack of rules, contract, and chancellor's regs for 200 schools, there is nary a word from President Mulgrew about the plight of the ATR's. Why is that?

We here at SBSB feel it is safe to assume that President Mulgrew knows that he threw the ATR's out with the bath water. That he personally threw them under the proverbial bus and that he thinks we, the rank and file are so stupid, so greedy, so desperate for contract, that he hopes we think of the ATR's are non-people. Mulgrew is using the old, "Out of sight, out of mind," Jedi mind trick and praying that no one notices their not being mentioned.

But the deception gets better. On the official UFT propaganda blog, The People's Daily, oops, we meant, the DailyNK, oops, Edwize, again not a word about how the new contract affects the ATR's. Look, see for yourself (Shhhh, if we don't think about he ATR's it means they don't exist and we can do whatever we want).

 Where, oh where, can we find out information about the ATR's that does not come from here, or Accountable Talk, or Reality Based Educator, Chaz, or any other blog?

Simple, the UFT website. Click here, and find the button on the left hand side for ATR's. Click that link and you will read;
What is wrong with this picture?

The union did not stand by the ATR's. The DOE was never summarily terminating the ATR's. The UFT held the upper hand and folded like a cheap suit. So now instead of the threat of ATR's being summarily terminated there will just be a show trial in a modified, no, an abbreviated 3020a hearing and then be summarily terminated. Can anyone say, "Open to abuse?"

One last thing, "Pilot Program?" Nothing you give away ever comes back. Not the puppy, not the kitten, not money, and certainly not givebacks in a contract.

Vote no on this contract. I don't care if we were getting 25% raise, as long as our ATR brethren are being abused, lied to, and forgotten about, no amount of money will allow me to forget about them.

I have always said that I will take respect and dignity over a big pay raise in our new contract. Today we found out we are getting neither.

I was with my wife in Valhalla, having just gotten in the car, when the contract announcement came over the radio. I delayed our trip home to tweet and text information that was coming from the Farina/Mulgrew love fest. One thing was on my mind the most. And it wasn't the raises, it wasn't the retro. It wasn't any of the givebacks or little deals made behind our backs. The most important thing to me was the status of the ATR's (Absent Teacher Reserves). To me and The Crack Team that was the deal breaker.

At another time we can delve into the raise, the added hours, the merit pay, etc... But for this evening, the topic of discussion are the ATR's.

The Crack Team and myself have spoken and with and read the blogs of several prominent bloggers. Chaz, Reality Based Educator, and Urban Ed. Now remember, not all the details have been released about the ATR's, but we have been able to get a pretty good general idea. But remember, this post is open to any revision coming down the pike.

It seems that if one is an ATR, you will not be forced into a school that you don't want to be in nor will a ATR be foisted upon a principal. It is has to be mutual.

The ATR will have to interview and if offered a job will have (according to Chaz) a 50 day try out (If the principal thinks you have cooties you are gone), though Farina said it can be as little as 1 day. After that 50th or 1 day, the ATR gets one more chance at remaining in a school. If you flunk out again, that's it, your career is over. There is an expedited hearing to be had within 1 month that is not to be more than 1 day. See how this can be abused?

What is to keep a principal from being in cahoots with a higher up to "get" a teacher that is in the ATR pool? That principal can be directed to take on that teacher and than let him or her go. Repeat it again and that teacher, their salary, their pension, and their health benefits are off the books. Bye, bye to that ATR and bring on the next victim.

Now as Chaz mentioned;

In fact, principals are not required to hire ATRs for their vacancies until October 15th, by then all vacancies are usually filled. 

So there again is the double edged sword that will keep ATR's out of schools. But then again this might be a good thing, no?

But what can an ATR do to keep from getting terminated? It is so simple.

Remember, there apparently is no penalty for the ATR if her or she goes on the interview and does not get a position. The Crack Team cracked the numbers and came up with a simple solution.

Blow the interview. If you are a male teacher, come dressed as Corporal Klinger. If you are a female teacher, come dressed as Bette Davis. Come to the interview and answer the questions wrong, don't bring a portfolio, act as dumb as possible.

Be rude, be crude, share with the principal the number of time you were taken aboard the mother ship and went to the home world. Don't shower, don't shave. Share with the principal that you believe Jim Morrison and Andy Kaufman are still alive and you have tea with them every Sunday afternoon at the Blue Bay Diner in Riverdale.  But remember, whatever you do, blow the interview.

And one more thing. VOTE NO ON THE NEW CONTRACT! Send a message. We need to look out for one another and we need to support the ATR's. They need it, the deserve it, and they have earned it.

She's baaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!

The Bayou Schicksa otherwise known as Campbell Brown is back sharing what little grasp she has on reality with those she believes she lords over from her gilded perch.

Campbell, who converted to Judaism for her husband, Iraq War provocateur and mass murderer, Dan Senor, has now come out with a website known as Common Sense Contract hoping that she, and she alone, will be the voice of reason that all those negotiating will set eyes upon her words and say to themselves, "Hey, The Bayou Schicksa has some very good points." Sadly, but of course not surprisingly, only the New York Post feels that way.

What is it that drives Campbell to inject herself into the education debate? Is it that she has nothing to do at home all day whilst the children are out and about with their individual nanny's? There are so many self-righteous do good education deformers out there that her voice easily gets lost in the noise and if she did not have the name she has would never be given a second glance.

Perhaps Campbell can take time from her busy schedule of shopping to look into Iraq War war crimes and the lies that led to our involvement for over ten years in the quagmire of Iraq. I suggest that she disguise the bawdy talk that Dan Senor enjoys so much and ask him hard questions as to his involvement of the thousands that died for no reason.

But since she probably shan't let's go over her op-ed piece in yesterday's New York Post.

Due to the ease of just discrediting everything she spewed forth, we enlisted the services of Zippy the Brain Damaged Wonder Chimp to assist.

The Bayou Schicksa says; Teachers can be absent for up to 20 days without giving any notice or any reason and still face no penalty whatsoever. Teachers can’t be absent without notice unless there is an emergency. If they don’t show up without a reason for three straight days, they can be put on unpaid leave and reinstated only if they prove an emergency kept them from alerting the school.

Hmmmm. What does the contract say? 

  Teachers who are absent for 20 consecutive school days without notice shall be deemed to have resigned unless they have reasonable cause for failure to notify. The issue of the reasonableness of the cause and the penalty, if any, shall be subject to the grievance procedure, including binding arbitration, set forth in Article Twenty-Two

Seems reasonable. What happens if you are kidnapped, in an accident, lost, whatever. NO where does it say without a penalty. You need a pretty gosh darn good reason. But again, since there is that pesky thing known as due process, which even Zippy the Brain Damaged Chimp understands better than Campbell, well tough you know what.

Seriously, how often does this happen? Twenty days without notice, even three? And what is the emergency? Teachers, even teachers that are out legitimately for over three days call in and must have some time of proof, whether medical, psychological, or even for jury duty. Zippy wants to know why Campbell feels we must be treated as children. 

The typical parent-teacher conference often lasts two or three minutes.

It does? Says who? On the elementary level parent conferences are 10-15 minutes and there are two sessions, and evening and an afternoon.

Teachers aren’t required to talk with, e-mail or respond to parents outside the narrow hours of the school day.

No, neither are we required to make home visits. But teachers do, and I can speak as a parent, make time to respond to emails, make phone calls when needed and return phone calls as well. Yes, it can be difficult at times to get a response from a teacher, but unlike the Bayou Schicksa, teachers have families and lives to lead. 

Parents should be allowed to reach out to teachers by e-mail or phone and expect a timely response, and they should be promised at least 15 minutes per child in their teacher-parent conferences.

See above. But Zippy just brought up a very good point (This is why we pay him so well). Why is the onus on the teachers? What about those parents that never show for parent conferences, never return calls, never pick up the report cards, never inquire as to their child's education? What about those parents? Where is Campbell leading the way to encourage these parents to be involved?

And where was the Bayou Schicksa for the last 12 years as Bloomberg and pals systematically cut the parents voices out of their children's education? Zippy says she was nowhere. 

Taxpayers spend a staggering $144 million a year on teachers who no longer have jobs but draw their full salary anyway. Teachers who lose their jobs may no longer stay on paid leave for the rest of their careers at taxpayer expense. Instead, they get one year to find a new position or move to unpaid leave until they do.

They did not lose their jobs, they lose their positions through no fault of their own. Why would a principal hire a 20 year veteran teacher making $90k or thereabouts instead of an untenured, 24 year year old making about $46k?

Case in point. As mentioned on these pages my school, PS 154 went without a physical education teacher from October through February. I know personally of several ATR's with phys ed licenses. None of them were brought in, none of them were interviewed, none of them were considered. WHo got the job? A 24 year old rookie teacher. 

Teachers who sexually harass children can stay in the classroom if an unelected arbitrator sees no reason they should be fired.

So if it is an elected arbitrator it is OK? Remember Campbell, it takes 2 parties to sign a contract. But, if they return to the classroom does that not mean that the arbitrator found the charges lacking? 

But maybe Campbell has a point. Such cases, if misdemeanors, should be heard in NYC Criminal Court in which the judges are; 

appointed by the Mayor of New York City to a 10-year term.

Ooops! Well maybe all sex cases can be heard in New York State Supreme Court in which...

...According to statute, however, candidates for the supreme court (the major trial court) are chosen through a party convention system, in which primary voters elect convention delegates who choose candidates for the judgeships.

 NO! Wait!! Federal court. No. Those judges are appointed for life. Dang Campbell, what to do? Zippy says he has an idea. Why not appoint Campbell judge, prosecutor, and jury and she can decide. 

Zippy also suggests that since Campbell is such a protector of children that she can look into who is responsible for all the dead and maimed children in Iraq and bring her husband to trial for war crimes.

Tenured teachers facing substantiated charges of sexual misconduct should be suspended without pay. 

They're are. Two months without pay if there is probable cause. It is in the contract Campbell.

And the chancellor should have final say on firing the teacher after a hearing — not a local arbitrator who is not accountable to parents, voters or the mayor.

So, even though a teachers is found not to have committed what they are accused of doing they can still lose their job, their livelihood, at the whim of the chancellor? Does that not violate the 14th Amendment which your die in the wool Republican husband so feverishly believes?

But I see Campbell's point. Her husband Dan Senor is responsible, directly and indirectly, for thousands of deaths and atrocities in Iraq. One person, George W. felt that Dan was above it all.

The Bayou Schicksa has too much time on her hands. She is bogarting her way into this deform debate to keep herself relevant. Perhaps it is time she returns to CNN and do what she does best. Report of kitten fashion shows.

So as readers of the blog know by now, I have been reassigned. I'm biding my time at the CFN at 4630 Broadway. Alone. With no one to talk to. No one to "infect" with the truth.

I felt, and still feel, that I am being treated disparately. I decided to file a grievance citing Article 22a of the UFT contract;

A “grievance” shall mean a complaint by an employee in the bargaining unit (1) that there has been as to him/her a violation, misinterpretation or inequitable application of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (2) that he/she has been treated unfairly or inequitably by reason of any act or condition which is contrary to established policy or practice governing or affecting employees,

Gotham Schools has a leaked, or some would say, a planted copy of The Reich's, er, I meant DOE's contract demands. Though draconian in their scope, worse the demands show just how little Klein and Bloomberg think of teachers.

These demands include:

Teachers would have higher raises in the early and middle steps of their careers.

Makes sense. Why not keep all these young, single teachers that want to live the Manhattan live style? Again shows what the DOE thinks of veteran, experienced teachers.

The city would institute a career ladder, labeling teachers “apprentice,” “practicing,” “mentor,” and “master,” and would pay them according to their position on that ladder.

Big mistake. The DOE should have labeled the "career ladder" as; youngling, padawan, knight, and master. But if it was up to me that would be acceptable only if Bloomberg is henceforth known as a Sith lord, and Klein, loses the title chancellor and his known as a Sith apprentice. Of course all those who work at Tweed, ATU, Mike Best, etc... will be known as clone warriors. Or Ewoks.

Once a teacher is excessed, he will have four months to remain on the city’s payroll while he finds a new job. Once those four months are up, he’ll lose this pay check and benefits. Today, there are about 1,200 salaried teachers who have been excessed, are looking for work in the system, and are working as substitutes.

Perfect method into removing any teacher over 40 and making over $70K. Also will save big bucks on pensions. Do they honestly think that any principal in their right mind will hire a teacher that is too knowledgeable and makes too much money?

Teachers who have charges brought against them will be suspended without pay unless they can prove that the DOE is unreasonably delaying the hearing.
So let's see. Principal A who is 27 years old has no experience in teacher and feels threatened by a 49 year old 24 year veteran teacher. Gee, I wonder what shall happen? Anyone care to guess?
Instead of using "just cause" in 3020a hearings of incompetence, the city wants to lower the standard to an “arbitrary and capricious” one, meaning the DOE’s decision to fire the teacher is assumed to be reasonable and just unless the teacher can prove otherwise.

"Just Cause" generally means; "the arbitrator first asks whether the employee's wrongdoing has been proven by the employer, and then asks whether the method of discipline should be upheld or modified." However in 1966, arbitrator, Professor Carroll Daugherty expanded this into seven tests that are frequently used by arbitrators. They are:

• Was the employee forewarned of the consequences of his or her actions?
• Are the employer's rules reasonably related to business efficiency and performance the employer might reasonably expect from the employee?
• Was an effort made before discharge to determine whether the employee was guilty as charged?
• Was the investigation conducted fairly and objectively?
• Did the employer obtain substantial evidence of the employee's guilt?
• Were the rules applied fairly and without discrimination?
• Was the degree of discipline reasonably related to the seriousness of the employee's offense and the employee's past record?

But now, Tweed, not only wants to change the rule of law as we know that the prosecution has to prove guilt, to the teachers proving their innocence, but wants to change state law and the laws of physics as well. Arbitrary is defined as;

• depending on individual discretion (as of a judge) and not fixed by law
• marked by or resulting from the unrestrained and often tyrannical exercise of power

Capricious is defined thusly;

• sudden, impulsive, and seemingly unmotivated notion or action
• a sudden usually unpredictable condition, change, or series of changes

What is frightening is that Mike Mulgrew will actually accept this.

Oh and the best, but not certainly the least. Hearings will be conducted before OATH hearing officers.

What is OATH Uncle Teacher in the Bronx? OATH boys and girls is an acronym for Office of Administration Trials and Hearings. Yep, you guessed it. A city agency, whose hearing officers are paid by the city.

Mulgrew, what is the word you have been trained to respond to so you can turn over have have your tummy rubbed?

For those that want a good laugh, here are the rest of the demands.

DOE Contract Demands

Remember the book Logan's Run? Seems that Joel Klein is a fan of the book, and in the new contract him and Mike Mulgrew have decided to implant a crystal in all new teacher's palms.

In an exclusive SBSB interview with Joel Klein, the chancellor says, "The seeds of the Teacher War were planted in a restless strike of 1968, with picket lines and selfishness. By the late 1970s over 40 percent of the teachers in NYC were over 40 of years of age. The teachers continued to age — and with it the percentage.In the 1980s the figure was 55.8 percent.In the 1990s, 60.9 percent. In the year 2009 — critical mass."

According the the new contract which SBSB has seen a leaked copy, a new teacher will have his or her crystal set at yellow. Once the teacher receives tenure, or after three years, whichever comes first, his or her crystal will then become blue. After maxing out at step 8b the teacher's crystal will become red. Once a teacher hits L15 or turns forty the the crystal will start blinking red/black letting the teacher know that the end time has come. This will be known as Rubber Day.

When teachers reach Rubber Day they are to report to what will be known as the Rubber Shop. Once there, they willfully enter the Rubber Room, not to be seen of, nor spoken of again.

There is also a provision for teachers who refuse to report to the Rubber Shop. The DOE will employ what will be known as "Deep Rubber Operative", or "Rubberman." These operatives will have special weapons, such as perjured testimony at their disposal to force these teachers into the Rubber Shop. Also, they will employ a special new martial art called "Omnite."

But there might be hope. Sources have told SBSB that there will be Sanctuary for those who want to avoid the Rubber Shop. At press time, Sanctuary will be deep inside any administrator's colon. Or Mike Mulgrew's colon.

I am not buying this for a second. Sanctuary is not inside a colon. Sanctuary is unity amongst the teachers of NYC. We need to stick together and fight as one against aschimothusia.

On September 10th I had mentioned an AP that I know of in a different school that is your usual useless AP. (click here, third paragraph down) I just heard from a colleague of mine that works with him that the grave he has been digging for himself has gotten deeper.

Apparently Dionysus called a teacher a demeaning slur and there is corroborating evidence. This doesn't surprise me. His temper tantrums are famous thought the Bronx. His arguments with his principal, not in private, but in public are legendary. In fact he has had a problem with every female supervisor he has had. Can someone say misogynistic? Last year he called in sick the Tuesday and Wednesday of the week supervisors report in. Guess where he was? Doing his favorite thing. Don't have proof, but his favorite thing was happening at the same time.

So what are his duties as an AP in his school? No one knows. Basically it is to give friends F Status positions, or to come in and do PD, check the stock and real estate markets (I am sure he let one go in his pants the last week), and to berate the principal. Oh, she regrets hiring him. But she is scared of him. Or leave early. Or hide all day.

Just thinking out loud here. How is this allowed to happen? Is this the type of administrator that Jack Welch had in mind? Is this a Children First situation? Who is his patrón?

Now on to my school. Major issues. Screw the contract which is being completely violated, but the students know now there are no repercussions to be had for any and all misbehavior. Not even October and there is chaos.