Central Falls out of the frying pan and into the cauldron

Well it seems that a touch of reality has entered the Central Falls (CF) school crisis. When the union members discovered that there are over 700 - 800 teachers from around the nation willing to apply for the 90 or so opening created by the union leadership, reality struck. It seems that Central Falls is not the center of the universe. It is not isolated from the economic conditions facing the nation and the education profession. The local union can't control supply and demand on a national level.

Oh! Did I say, the union leadership caused the problem? The settlement reached between the teachers and the CF school administration is the same as the leaders refused to offer to their membership back in February. So where was the leadership then and why are they agreeing to it today?

It seems that threatening to sue, another union tactic, was not a viable option. So today, they are working behind closed doors to get their "FRIENDS" in the RI General Assembly to pass a law which

... seeks to prohibit the General Assembly from enacting changes to pensions that “diminish, impair or deprive” vested state employees of “presently existing rights or benefits.

Rhode Island State Senate Majority Whip, Dominick Ruggerio is the lead sponsor of S-2384, the Public Officers and Employees Retirement System Act. The bill will be taken up by the Senate Labor Committee this week ( week of May 16th). Like earlier efforts by these "FRIENDS" to impose binding arbitration on the cities, towns, and school committees, the unions are seeking a poison pill, golden parachute for themselves which is unsustainable.

If they succeed, they will be rewarding their older loyalists members at the expense of their younger members. This is a common union practice conducted every year through the bumping process which places seniority over competency in filling open positions. The future generation of teachers will have to pick up the future bill as tax payers and as dues paying union members.

But for the moment the school crisis seems to be under control. Out of the frying pan.

But according to the Providence Business News and the Providence Journal Central Falls has jumped into the cauldron of potential municipal bankruptcy. This is uncharted territory hundreds of communities and several states around the country are facing.

Receivership is a step away from bankruptcy. If Central Falls goes bankrupt, all contracts will be voided. The city may be required to unincorporate and to merge with a neighboring jurisdiction. These are the lessons we have learned from the failure of the banks, auto industry, among others in the recent national economic crisis.

It is no wonder that the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals has reversed it position regarding Rhode Island's application for Race to the Top grants. This was a "no started" last week. Now it may be the only hope for some districts, such as Central Falls.

This afternoon the Providence Business News online published the following story, State law bars Central Falls bankruptcy. Because of state law, the GA will be called upon to help resolve the issue. This should be interesting to see how the politicians solve this one.

This is the legacy of years of greed and short term thinking that seems to be a characteristic of Rhode Islanders and the people they elect to public, union, and corporate offices.

Stay tuned while we keep track of the temperature

In defense of Rhode Island Teachers

In light of the Central Falls teachers crisis and the real vile comments that have been appearing in the comments to stories about the crisis on Projo.com, it is only fair to point out that the problem is not the truly professional teacher, it is in an educational system out of touch with the times and the institutions that support it.

Education is critical to individual and community success. Education is how society recruits and trains its young to become full citizens, adults and contributors to the common welfare. And education is done by teachers.

In these tough times, when taxes are perceived to be too high and the quality of the product these taxes buy seems poor and getting worse and when educational establishment itself is found wanting, let us not confuse the individuals who are responsible for what goes on in the classroom, with those institutions which claim to represent or command them.

Teachers, and teaching are a noble professional. Teachers are the link between our past and the future. They are the bearers of the community's wisdom and experience. They are charge with instilling in the next generation the knowledge, skills and values that make civil society possible. They are expected to take the raw talents and potentials of each child and shape and mold them into the best that they can be, even as the child rebels against it.

Rhode Islanders are today engaged in a serious dialogue over the merits and direction of its educational system. Interests groups are aligning themselves for and against the changes that must be made to bring our educational system into the 21st century and prepare our children to compete in the global economy and rapidly changing technological environment. While contracts, standards, policies, and philosophies are being debated, we most not lose sight of the individual teachers and what they do. These individuals are often maligned, disrespected, and treated as the cause of the problem rather than as the victims of the system that they are.

Ever heard the phrase "Those who can't do, teach"? At the Bowery Poetry Club, slam poet Taylor Mali begs to differ, and delivers a powerful, 3-minute response on behalf of educators everywhere.

Central Falls School Crisis -- Taking the High Road

How quickly things change and change for the better when Leaders decide that leadership and not ego is where their duty lies. In this morning's Projo Superintendent Gallo is reported to have replied to Central Falls Teachers Union president Jane Sessums.

On Tuesday, Seesums displayed real leadership when she made the first move to bring sanity to what was becoming an extremely emotional and partisan battle between the advocates for union rights versus union responsibilities. In a news release which appeared yesterday, Seesums said that the teachers were willing to embrace a set of reforms that were very similar to changes Gallo initially proposed.

This shift in position is a welcome change from the bellicose bullying and insensitivity demonstrated back in February by American Federation of Teachers union rep James Parisi . By demonstrating a more reasonable position, Seesums opened the door for reconciliation.

According to today's story, Superintendent Gallo's response is

“My heart skipped a beat,” Gallo said after reading Sessums’ proposal. “I thought, ‘They are basically saying they want what we want for the first time, with the kind of assurances I need.’ … This brings the union back with us, in the conversation about meaningful reform. It’s where they should be.”

While there are issues still to be resolved, these adults have potentially given the students of Central Falls High a valuable lesson about responsibility and conflict management.

Transformation requires the cooperation of all parties and transformation is the only way to salvage the best of the past while adapting to the realities of a rapidly changing future. Now if only the public commentators will take a moment to reflect on what is happening, maybe they will support Central Falls' effort to correct the problems that are causing their high school to be classified as a "Failing School." Then Central Falls might become a positive model for educational reform, rather than the partisan poster child for those who would destroy unions or destroy public education.

Best of luck to all.

Central Falls High School Crisis --The Revolution and Counter-revolution continues

Earlier in February, we asked our viewers to comment on the pending confrontation between the Central Falls School Administration and the local AFT Union. Today's Providence Journal describes the latest in the battle for the hearts, minds, and soul of Central Falls and its parents, teachers, unions, school administration, and most of all, the students.

To read the comments to this article is to get peek into the soup that is public opinion. There are the emotional and, at times irrational, members of the public who place their ideological biases over their own best interests and the interests of the community. And then there are those who see the problem and want to help, to enlighten and to solve it by offering analysis and information.

The Central Falls case is not a simple labor management issue. It is far bigger than that. It impacts the rights of parents and students to expect and get a decent education and preparation for the future. After all isn't that what education is for?

It is about the self identity that the teachers have for themselves. These highly trained and well paid, professionals have not been behaving like the professionals they claim to be. Instead they are are behaving like union day laborers who approach their work as if it were an hourly wage job. If they wanted to be day labors, become substitutes, if they want to be treated as professional learn what the word means.

It is is about a bankrupt State that can no longer afford to feed off of federal handouts, excessive state and local taxes, and one shot stop gaps and windfalls. IT IS ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT for all.

AND it is about survival. It is about the survival of students in a rapidly changing and unforgiving world. It is about the survival of a community high school and its traditions which once helped hundreds of immigrant families to work their way into the American middle class. It is about the survival of a public education system in this state which can prepare the next generation of working+consuming+ taxpaying citizens.

We are in the middle of a revolution and the world is watching. The Central Falls situation has made statewide news. It has made the regional news. It has made the national news and even drawn the attention of the US Secretary of Education and the President of the United States. It has even reached to the other side of the world in New Zeeland. Just about as far as you can go before you start back.

Be aware Rhode Island, this is another Gaspee burning. We are witnessing a revolutionary moment. Where do you stand?

Frances Gallo: Her side of the Story

We have been following the Central Falls School crisis with great interest.

On Saturday February 27 Superintendent Frances Gallo of the Central Falls School Department was a late addition to the Annual Winter Meeting of the Rhode Island State Coalition (RISC) held in Newport, RI. After weeks of controversy, Superintendent Gallo was given the opportunity to give her side of the story leading up to the firing of the whole teacher staff at Central Falls.

I came away from the meeting extremely impressed and moved by this very professional and articulate woman and the courage she is demonstrating to take on the Teachers' union and to call their bluff. I want to share that moment with you. Thanks to RISC the following two segment of their video record (posted on You Tube) of the Winter meeting captures the moment.

Yesterday, March 1st, her actions drew comments from President Obama supporting the need for radical change in those schools which are failing to educate their students. Here, in her own words, is her side of the story.

RISC Winter Meeting: Central Falls Superintendent Frances Gallo (part 1)





RISC Winter Meeting: Central Falls Superintendent Frances Gallo (part 2) [NOTE: If the video does not launch automatically, DOUBLE-CLICK ON IT, it should take you directly to YOU TUBE]



I think she has said it all. The issues are not local, they are national and impact the future of this nation.

Central Falls :Education reform and labor relations in Rhode Island

Rhode Island's economic problems are related its education system and the type of investment decisions the state and communities are making in their schools. On January 7, 2010 the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) released its Strategic Plan The debate is heating up between the teachers unions and the educational administrators.

The key area of conflict is "What will be done with under performing schools." In January the RIDE published its Protocol for Intervention According to the Protocol

Schools identified as persistently lowest-achieving require intervention by the responsible LEA [Local Educational Agency] beginning in the school year following identification by the state. There are four allowable school intervention models: turnaround model, restart model, school closure, or transformation model. If a school identified as a persistently lowest-achieving school has implemented, in whole or in part within the last two years, an intervention that meets the requirements of the turnaround, restart, or transformation models, the school may continue or complete the intervention being implemented.

The first battle in implementing these plans is taking place in Central Falls, where the Superintendent of Schools has just issued pink slips to all faculty members of the high school. In a interview with both the Superintendent, Frances Gallo, and American Federation of Teachers union rep James Parisi, videoed Friday on CBS station WPRI's NewsMakers program scheduled for Sunday February 14th, it is obvious this will be a major watershed for the Rhode Island public education system. That episode of NewsMakers is presented below,



How do you feel about this? Your comments are welcomed.

Are Rhode Island Students worth investing in?

In an article published on January 14th, 2010 Teachers, R.I. education chief still at loggerheads over reform, By Jennifer D. Jordan,(page 1 Section A,) some very serious issues were raised. These are and should be central to the 2010 General Assembly election.

This is a debate for the heart and mind and welfare of Rhode Island and its children that the tax payers, politicians and educational establishment can have. Either we can come to an agreement about which is really important, teacher's rights or student's best interests and their futures, or we can watch as Rhode Island becomes less and less competitive in today's world.

Let's ask some basic questions.

Why do we need students? And, Can the teachers' unions survive without them?
Why do we need teachers unions? And, Can students learn without them?

These are not chicken or egg questions.

Humanity has survived because of children, not because of teachers unions.
Society is better off because Professional Teachers are a real asset to the community. They can assist the children in learning the skills that will make them productive citizens.

But today’s Teacher unions present teachers to the community, not as professionals, but as a commodity. Teachers are treated and treat themselves, as laborers, hired to put in X number of hours at a price and required only "to work to rule." The Teacher's Union are organized on a big business vs big labor model that no longer is valid nor viable in the 21st century economic environment

Educating and training a child is NOT like cooking a BIG MAC. A manufacturing, labor/management business model is no longer appropriate for creating a 21st Century educational system or workforce.

Children do not benefit from a labor union organized to serve the interests of the membership.The unions are not a necessity for the child to learn. What children and society needs is a profession that establishes and enforces performance standards on it members for the benefit of their clients.

A 21st century educational system requires a professional teaching force with the skill and empathy to understand the individual needs of each child and how to address his or her unique needs and issues in an ever more complex world. It needs teachers who can work with parents in the interest of the child, not blackmail taxpaying parents into more benefits.

Granted, we cannot afford to do this on a one to one basis, but we can create environments where we maximize the skills that good teachers can bring to the student.

If the teachers’ unions were professional associations, such as the AMA, ABA, etc., they would be supporting and, in fact, be demanding that that their members meet high evaluation, and accountability standards. Quality performance would be their first goal, not seniority rights.

A revolutionary approach is called for to bring Rhode Island education into the 21st Century. Such an approach is being presented to us now by Education Commissioner Gist. It questions the basic assumptions of the system. But to succeed all parties must buy into the idea of finding solutions and NOT just fight rear guard actions to protect personal or special interest privileges.

The stalemate between the unions and administration over existing contracts, constructed in an age of plenty, don't do anything to prepare today's student nor address the system needs for the future. And they certainly don't help the parents or tax payer.

How long do Rhode Island children have to wait for the adults to grow up and solve the problem, not just fight over it?

Update: Providence and Foster teachers have, with reservation, joined the state in competing for the Race to the Top federal grant. NEA, and the other 36 unions including Central Falls, seem to have decided that their self interest is more important. Rhode Island students are just not worth it?