I wasn't kidding yesterday when I said that the teachers ought to forego the April 1st holiday and should work at least one of the three unpaid furlough days that CPS is imposing on the employees. The point is at least twofold. First, the kids need the instruction days and second, the optics of teachers work when not asked to do so would do much for negotiations and the public's perception of teachers.
Right now, far too many in public see the teachers and the union as being at fault - true or not - for various problems faced by the district. Again, that is a perception and it may not be grounded in reality but it's out there.
At the very least teachers SHOULD NOT declare April 1st a 'ditch day.' Too much is at stake in terms of education and the way forward. This 'tit for tat' that is ongoing between CPS and CTU has to come to an end in order for progress to take place. The union certainly has some bright people in the ranks and they need to come up with solutions that maximize teaching and learning while being a partner in solving serious issues in the school district.
Dick
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