Teachers union is fighting for the kids

[proud2BlibKansan]

As I See It: KC School District's teachers union is fighting for the kids

By Judy Morgan, Special to The Kansas City Star

Kansas City school board members Marilyn Simmons and Arthur Benson were absolutely correct in their recent “As I See It” column when they said, “The district has been failing our children.”

<skip>

The “turn-around” plan to which Simmons and Benson referred also has been a top-down process without the inclusion of teachers.

The Kansas City Federation of Teachers & School-Related Personnel has, for the last nine years, fought for a contract based on the principles of collaboration. Despite district resistance at the negotiating table, we were able to establish a few joint union/district committees. One such committee, the Academic Review & Advisory Committee, was cited in the MSIP report as a positive for the district.

Unfortunately, certain board members don’t seem to want to heed the MSIP finding regarding teacher input. They seem to believe that they, alone, can turn this district around; that they, alone, will ensure that there are teachers teaching for “deep understanding.”

I would like to strongly suggest that unless and until teachers and school-related personnel become engaged in this process of school reform, there will be little turn-around.

<skip>

Teachers in this district are currently working without a contract. Negotiations have practically stalled. It would benefit all to settle quickly on a contract that can provide not only an opportunity for stability and commitment, but also a framework for collaboration.

We agree reform is necessary. We don’t believe it can be accomplished without us.

Judy Morgan is the president of the Kansas City Federation of Teachers & School-Related Personnel. She lives in Kansas City.

http://voices.kansascity.com/node/3010#comment-13133