Teacher Pat Gerard speaks at Board of Education meeting pointing out the hypocrisy of hiring more than 1,400 new teachers while keeping veterans out of work
[Editor's Note: The following is the prepared text of the statement by Pat Gerard, a special education teacher who was "honorably terminated" during the CPS purges by Ron Huberman last summer and who is still out of work despite the fact that CPS needs special education teachers. The following was delivered at the Chicago Board of Education meeting of May 25, 2011. Like others purged by the Board of Education, Pat Gerard was a veteran teacher with years of experience and advanced degrees and training, replaced with FNG teachers with none of either. These remarks are reprinted here as provided to Substance by the writer. Others who delivered statements to the Board can have them shared here at BOARDWATCH at substancenews.net by sending them via e-mail to Substance, Csubstance@aol.com.]
Chicago special education teacher Pat Gerard speaking to the Chicago Board of Education about its hypocrisy on May 25, 2011. Substance photo by George N. Schmidt.I have some data — 1,491 — this number represents the one thousand four hundred and ninety one new teachers who have been hired since June 30,2010. I am one of the 1,000 plus teachers who last summer were honorably dismissed, terminated, fired or whatever term you care to use.
I am one of the "effective " Special Ed teachers who has — "no weaknesses" — as stated on my last evaluation (show Board members evaluation form ), and yet I am still doing a job search.
More data — 207 — new Special Ed teachers were hired since June 30, 2010.
My next comment is in regard to the federal lawsuits. To lighten up the topic I have a joke. How many federal judges does it take to rescind the layoffs of last summer? Answer is: There already have been four federal judges who have declared in their judgements to rescind the layoffs and create a recall policy.
I occasionally check to see my record and as of this morning — termination is still written three times on my form. [At this point she showed the Board members the status form-termination date, terminated and termination listed].
The Board of Ed is not above a federal court ruling, and it would be appropriate to follow through on the court's direction to rescind the layoffs and initiate a recall policy.
By: John Kugler
Excellent
nice and simple message. good work.