Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Schedule changes reported by the Standard Times are by no means a done deal


New Bedford Educators Association President Lou St. John issued a statement today letting the public know that proposed schedule changes at two elementary schools reported in last week’s Standard-Times have yet to be bargained. The schools are Hayden-McFadden and Parker, both Level 4 schools.

The Standard-Times reported on July 25 that “two of the city’s struggling elementary schools are extending the school day for students in a preview of changes that could appear across the district.” The article added, “The changes were announced to families in June…”

In a written statement released today, St. John said, “I don’t know if the reporter got the facts wrong or if the administration intended to mislead  by announcing changes that have not been bargained, but the truth is that our first date to begin bargaining over proposed schedule changes is August 1. The specific changes reported in the paper are by no means a done deal.”

St. John explained that teachers are already working longer hours in the two schools. What has yet to be bargained is how much of the additional time will be spent on direct instruction versus teacher preparation. “You can’t have good instruction without good preparation,” said St. John. “You need both. What we will determine through bargaining is how the additional time will be used.”

“The place to bargain on teachers’ working conditions is at the bargaining table, not in the press,” he added. “If parents at those schools think the schedule has already been changed, Superintendent Pia Durkin should let them know immediately that that is not true.

“It can poison the atmosphere for bargaining if teachers are being blind-sided by public announcements of changes that they have never had a chance to study, consider and negotiate over,” St. John continued. “We all want what’s best for New Bedford’s students. There’s a better chance of a good outcome if the legitimate role of teachers in this process is respected.”

 

 

 

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

It sounds like a manipulative move. Get parents to rearrange their drop off/pick-up schedule and then make teachers look bad when they do not agree to these changes.

One Who Knows said...

I fear that this is just the beginning. The Empress Pia's leadership style is not collaborative. She is another bully dictator. That's why the Attleboro teachers called her the "antichrist."

Anonymous said...

Dr Durkin:

Here's some advice for you.

"You don't tug on Superman's cape / You don't spit into the wind / You don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger / And you don't mess around with Lou and New Bedford's teachers!"

Anonymous said...

There's an old French proverb "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose." Which translated means: "The more things (or people) change, the more they remain the same."

She's trying to circumvent people as other superintendents have in the past.

Anonymous said...

New Bedford is in for a bumpy ride.

Anonymous said...

Strike 1.

Anonymous said...

Pia decribes herself as a lady who is "tough to say no to".

Anonymous said...

It's disappointing to see that this nationwide search led by the most progressive educators in the state and country still culled exactly the kind of person Jon Mitchell was looking for...a tyrant. Can we really afford another buy out?

Anonymous said...

Here we go again! The Mayor, Superintendent, and members of the School Committee should, by this time, know the issue of extending the contract time must be negotiated. NO EXCUSES. They have all been through this more than once. Aren't the teachers in these two schools already working longer hours and have been for more than a couple of years. Do they want teachers and students in these two school to go to school for a 9 hour day?

Shame on our elected officials and new Superintendent. Remember, she is not new to Massachusetts and should fully know the rules and regulations of the Commonwealth.

Anonymous said...

read the article again ... it read that the students will stay for an extra 30 minutes!!!teachers at those school get paid extra for staying longer.

Anonymous said...

Did any one stop to think why students in countries like Japan, China and Sweden perform much better than students from the United States. Let's try longer school days and more discipline for a starter.

Grow up, while you barter over hours our students are missing the boat.

Anonymous said...

The union should worry less about every nickel they can get for extra time. Good teachers worry about student performance and New Bedford success.

Anonymous said...

All you people do is complain, complain, complain! Really? We are in jeopardy of being taken over by the State, everyone wants change, and when a great idea is put on the table, you criticize the woman for trying? Wow, no wonder we are one of the worst districts in the commonwealth.

It's a new day New Bedford...get on board or go somewhere else! No room or time for complainers who don't understand that we need to put students first!

Anonymous said...

Discipline and morals start at home!

Anonymous said...

Japan china Sweden. Maybe they have parents who care more have morals and values and higher expectations..they also have higher suicide rates and in the end their children want to be our children....can you get it....actually spend a day at New Bedford high and then you'll know why