QUOLKE’S CORNER #55
FEBRUARY 23
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the over 400 CTU members that attended the Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 23. It was wonderful to see so many who are concerned about the future of their school, their students, and the future of the district. Those members that were able to go to the microphone during the public comments section demonstrated their passion and dedication to their profession and to the students that they work with each day.
In this time when so many things are coming our way - charter schools, the Transformation Plan, negotiations, a budget deficit – this is the time that we must stand together and that we did on Tuesday. When I rose to speak on Tuesday I was honored to have the members of the CTU rise with me. That message was louder than any one voice could be. When we stood together, we sent a strong message to the Board, Dr. Sanders, CMSD leadership, and the community that we are united as one.
The words of the parents and community members that spoke showed that they too were behind us. They do not agree with the District when it comes to blaming the educators for all of the District problems. How we have gotten to the point of blaming those that have dedicated their lives to working with children instead of embracing these same people as the ones that will implement this Transformation is beyond me and the reasoning of those all throughout the Cleveland community.
At the Board Meeting I referenced that I would be sending a letter detailing concerns to the Board before the voting on March 9. Posted on the CTU website (www.ctu-279.org) is a copy of the first letter that I sent to Chairperson Link. A copy of this letter dated February 8 was distributed to all members of the Board.
Again thanks to all of you that were in attendance at the last Board Meeting. I hope to see you all there on March 9 so that you can hear the decision making process prior to the Board actually voting on the Transformation Plan.
In Union,
David