Had a couple of readers ask late yesterday: Why no mention of tomorrow's maybe-could-be-probably-not Dallas ISD teacher "sickout," which a single anonymous teacher's calling for? To which I responded: Well, I'm not sure it's going to be much of one, despite lingering resentment over last month's vote to increase workdays by 45 minutes -- and what it says in Schutze's dream journal.
First off: Teachers' group Alliance-AFT has told educators it's really not a good idea, as organized protests are a violation of district policy and state law. "And this is an organized work stoppage," Alliance-AFT President Rena Honea tells Unfair Park this morning, "because it's being called for by an individual."
That individual, who goes by the pseudonym "Joe Jones," insists on his Teachers for Change website that it's anything but. Writes he: "What coordination has taken place? Have you and I sat down and discussed plans? Have you and I come to any personal or collective agreements?"
But Honea disputes that interpretation, which is why she's informed
teachers they could get canned if they call in sick tomorrow. Matter of
fact, says Honea, she's heard from some teachers who'd planned on taking
tomorrow off for various reasons, and she told them they'd best provide
some documentation lest district officials think they're participating
in the protest. Otherwise, she says, "there's no way they can prove
they're not a part of this if they take a personal day."
Honea also echoes a sentiment I've heard from other teachers, and not
just those at my son's elementary school: "For most teachers, they are
there for the kids," she says. "They can find some other way
to express their anger and frustration other than doing that. We've
always felt activities like this are unprofessional. What this guy wants
is for the school board to take notice of them. Well, we have to find a
way to engage them better -- and the biggest action you can take is
show
up at the polls on May 12, when the school board elections
take place."
3700 Ross isn't publicly commenting on what may or may not happen
tomorrow. But, of course, there are contingency plans in place should a
mysterious flu hit the ranks tomorrow.
