October CTU House of Delegates report

By Lotty Blumenthal and Marybeth Foley

Upon entering Plumbers’ Hall for the October Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) House of Delegates meeting, delegates received flyers from the PACT caucus and the UPC caucus, endorsing their candidates for Pension Trustee.

(The election was held on October 25. The three candidates who won were women. Linda Porter Milton was endorsed by the UPC; Earnestine Murphy was endorsed by PACT; Maria Rodriguez was supported by both caucuses).

Other handouts offered to delegates included a California Federation of Teachers resolution against the war on Iraq, a letter by the Curie Teachers for Authentic Assessment (who are resisting the CASE tests), and a CTU testing abuse questionnaire.

Delegates picked up meeting packets and membership forms on tables set up just inside the entrance. Upstairs, outside the meeting room, tables were set up by the Women’s Rights Committee, which was distributing a domestic violence tract and selling Aids/Africa pins and pink breast cancer pins, and the Human Relations Gay and Lesbian Committee, which was handing out a mission statement and harassment policy.

The packets included a list of CTU political endorsements for the November 5 election, notification of a University of Illinois program, offering a Certificate of Labor Studies for enrollees. The CTU Quest Center listed its course offerings and its program for National Board Certification Support. A flier touted four sessions to be held to help teachers complete their Renewal Plan for Certification.

Other information in the packet included the “One Book, One Chicago” flyer and teacher guide for “My Antonia,” a questionnaire asked about “Year Round School” concerns with a meeting to be held in October on the topic. A poster from the Women’s Rights Committee had phone numbers 1-800-799-SAFE and 1-877-863-6338 for questions about domestic violence with a notation “PLEASE POST” at the bottom.

A pink form to be sent to the CTU with $10.00 for the CTU/AFT Africa Aids Pin was given to delegates along with a referral to the class size panel (yellow) for their schools. There were reprints from the Tribune of letter to the editor by CTU President Debbie Lynch and another letter from Tom Anstett of New Lenox

Packet handouts also included money contests for those signing up new members. Winners listed: Louverta Hurt, Tanya Leiser, Sadie Callegari, Matia T. Cosme, Judy Miller, Ian Randolph, Guadalupe Guerrero, and Jeanne Paller. A food drive to be held in November in conjunction with the Board was advertised.

The delegates’ packet included materials from the school board changing the rules for local school councils (LSC) regarding LSC member eligibility, removal of LSC members for criminal convictions (and failure to disclose them), and loss of LSC eligibility due to ethics violations. Much of the ethics part dealt with filing a statement of economic interests in a “timely” manner. (As an LSC member I haven’t received a form for two years). The information also dealt with the manner of filling the vacancy for teacher, parent and community representative. The LSC eligibility resolution deletes words that prevented teachers on leave from continuing as LSC representatives. Now, teachers on maternity leave will not have to resign as LSC representatives. Under the new guidelines, the CEO (not school and community relations department) will decide vacancy. The General Counsel now “determines” if a challenge to a vacancy has merit and notifies the member in writing of a hearing date, time and place and the specific basis of the alleged ineligibility.

A bulletin from Maureen Callaghan, CTU Treasurer, said some sources have misled educational support personnel. “Under “No Child...” no one is forced to go back to school. No One!” Callaghan said. No one has to go back to college to keep their job. Support staff can take an assessment test. The CTU Quest Center will run workshops for staff to prepare for the test. When in doubt, call the union.

A membership report from James Alexander, Financial Secretary, showed 36,061 members and a statement of Income and Expenses” and the September House minutes were included.

Finally, the CTU House Agenda for Oct. 2, 2002, listed the order of the meeting. Delegates were also reminded that they should post the contents of packets on CTU bulletin board in each school.

Question and answer period

Before the meeting started, Victor Gonzalez (who heads the grievance department) and some of the CTU officers were on stage answering questions. A delegate at Microphone 1 asked about Election Day. Two hours can be allowed by the principal for voting either before or after school. Principals have a right to ask why the extra time is needed.

At Microphone 2, Socorro Mucino of Clemente High School asked why the principal did away with P.E. for 150 freshmen who had signed up for it. The principal said freshman are not required to take it. “Has any other school had this problem?” Mucino asked. The p.e. teacher is now teaching special ed. The field rep. will look into it.

At Microphone 3, a seventh year delegate for substitutes asked if cadre subs are being assigned differently this year? Sub Center has not called her once this year. A principal told her he was not allowed to assign cadres this year. Gonzalez said to get him exact information to look into it.

At Microphone 2, a paraprofessional asked if they had to go back to school because of “No Child....” Callaghan said the answer is in the packet. James Alexander ended the question period.

Officers’ report

President Lynch called the meeting to order. A moment of silence was held for all union members who had passed away, including Mr. Wisner of the Mark Twain School and the father of Terry Daniels, a Substance staff member now retired from Carver High School.

There was to be a special order of business for Rod Blagojevich, but he was called to Washington. Then the first order of business was to return to items for action left over from the adjourned September meeting. Executive Board member Judy Dever (a teacher at Healy school) made a point of order to read the CTU Constitution, which she felt was not being observed.

Next, the Executive Board recommendation from the joint Legislative and PAC committees to develop a mobilization team was made. It will consist of District Supervisors and Field Reps. Retiree Delegate Gerald Adler was against this because he said that the union’s rank-and-file members were not being involved in it He felt school delegates should be mobilized as well. President Deborah Lynch said that she felt that the 25 -40 people would mobilize the delegates for a rally, which was the intent of the original motion. The recommendation was passed.

A motion was made to endorse the union’s choices for the November election. (The packet had the criteria for endorsement). Judy Dever tried to amend the motion, which lacked a second. The motion then passed. During the discussion, President Lynch asked, “Judy, what are you trying to do?” Delegate Sharp of Senn asked for a friendly amendment, but Tony Gutwein of Kelvyn Park was against it. Tina Beacock was for it as it stood. Financial Officer James Alexander said no candidate was endorsed who was for the concepts of 4.5. Various delegates asked what candidates had actually come to us and said what they would do for us. The AFT and IFT recommendations were considered as part of reasoning.

Recording Secretary Jacquelyn Price Ward read the minutes of the September 4, 2002, house meeting. The minutes were passed without correction. She then asked for new House of Delegates members to stand.

After Ward announced other meetings and had the co-chairs of the Human Relations Gay and Lesbian Committee present awards, Judy Dever and Leonard Kedzior tried to call for suspension of the rules. They were ruled out of order.

Kedzior read rule 6 of House procedures that members who abuse the rules as defined by the House and not just the Chair can be subject to expulsion. A standing vote was taken and the ayes had it. Price-Ward’s report was ended. Rose Meyer (who was special status for Cuba) asked for accord in these matters. Adler attacked the pacifist attitude.

Financial Secretary James Alexander gave his membership report. He announced there would soon be a meeting of the School Safety and Environment Committee” (formerly the Violence Committee). He again asked that the bulletin about agency shop dues be placed on bulletin boards.

He announced the Africa Aids Report and called for Field Reps to go among the crowd and sell more pins to those who wanted them. Checks should be payable to the CTU. A delegate asked how much of the $10.00 went to the charity. Alexander said almost the whole $10.00 since CTU and AFT donated the time.

Maureen Callaghan gave the treasurer’s report. She mentioned the LSC eligibility sheets. Teachers should be more active in recruiting LSC members more favorable to their positions. She also reported that the ESP’s at the three closed school had their benefits extended to October 30 while trying to still find jobs.

Vice President Howard Heath said that Blagojevich signs were available in the lobby. He said the CTU would have working phone banks or people could sign up to work in their region and that October 7 was the last day for registration by mail.

Heath also mentioned that the candidates endorsed had a better than 70% voting on Labor Bills according to the AFL/CIO. The class size panel is working again, he added.

President Lynch spoke on four major topics. l. The “No Child Left Behind act.” 2. Monthly meetings with schools CEO Arne Duncan. 3.The CTU Report Card. 4. A press conference on the testing issue.

Under “No Child” there’s a change in paraprofessional requirements. An assessment test would be given. Paraprofessionals laid off in June would be given more time, 60 days, so there would be no break in service. Members in sending schools were not supposed to lose staff because of student transfers.

President Lynch said there would be a delay in compliance with “No Child” law of notifying parents if their child’s teacher is “not highly qualified” until at least January 2003. The statute refers to teachers teaching a subject off their certificate. This situation exists because there’s “no accurate records” of all qualifications at the Chicago Board of Education right now. The state also said its records are not complete for all.

Staff “appreciation day” will not be held on the last or near last day of school this year. So far, the CTU has only received four class size complaints. Cases now should be reported to the CTU.

The CTU has sent 1,500 letters to members both informing them and asking for their opinions. Members were kept informed on both 4.5 and pending legislation. There is also a web site. Newspaper articles were printed and are in packet. Field Reps and officers are meeting in the schools. Ask for a meeting to be scheduled.

Dues have been lowered. September paychecks should show five percent decrease.

President Lynch said that teachers were “scapegoated” for the cheating scandal and while the “CTU does not condone cheating,” teachers were tried and accused in the newspapers and television cameras. No one has yet been charged because no one has proof. Lynch said that this scandal is the result of “incredible high stakes testing.” She called for an establishment of a “task force” to examine the “over emphasis on test scores.” A hot-line will be set up for CTU members to report if “you are under pressure from administration regarding test scores. We will fight scapegoating of members on this issue.”

Then the matter of pension trustee endorsements came up. Lynch gave the Executive Board endorsement of Rodriquez, Murphy, and Rieger. Retiree Delegate Kedzior moved from the floor the endorsements of Rodriquez also, but John O’Brill and Linda Porter-Milton. CTU staffer Lou Pyster mentioned that five petitions had been turned in.

Heated debate began on a motion to amend the approval of the executive board to delete Rieger and Murphy and put in O’Brill and Porter-Milton. One delegate spoke of O’Brill’s dedication and experience. Another delegate got to the mike and disagreed since “new people” should be given a chance.

At 6:05 p.m., delegate Mike Riley of Foreman High School called for a quorum. After some confusion, the quorum call ended the meeting — 283 voting members were needed, but only 246 were there. The matter of endorsements will be moot by the time of the next House meeting, since the trustee election will be over. The union newspaper reported the names of all of the five people nominated for the three slots. Murphy, Porter-Milton, and Rodriguez were elected in the October 25 voting.