I spoke with some high school students yesterday (Saturday) and they seemed to think that they would be getting a day off. I also spoke with their Principal and he seemed to think that his school would be closed.
We don't know yet. Negotiations will resume today and could go on until midnight. We may not even know until midnight tonight.
I just heard on the radio that negotiations are underway and they are "very close" to reaching a deal. I've been following this story closely. Even though NC doesn't have a union, what happens in CPS tomorrow could ultimately have a trickle-down effect to all of us.
CPS says they are "close to a deal." The union does not seem as enthusiastic. Updates so far: Merit pay is completely off the table. Lane raises are back on the table, but steps are still an issue. Board President David Vitale actually started showing up. Recalling laid off teachers still an issue. Healthcare still an issue. Arts, class sizes, basic school needs still an issue.
My school has over 100 teachers, families, and community members showing their support today! I am overwhelmed by the love. :wub: I only got 2 middle fingers.
We had a strike last year. We picketed the school (which was shut). The vast majority of cars passing honked in support. The funniest one thouigh was a little old lady in a nissan who took both hands off the wheel to give us the finger (well we use a V sign) and nearly ended up embedded in the school fence!
It's so frustrating that this is the only way to be heard, because right now every strike that occurs is being used as campaign fodder by every privatization organization out there. It would be nice to have advocates in the media, wouldn't it? Someone to point out, when people rant about test scores, that Japan only tests college-bound students? Or to talk about the state of special education in China and South Korea? Or to point out that Finland went from abysmal to the top of the food chain by doing the EXACT OPPOSITE of what we're moving towards now in the US?
