PFT denounces Claypool's budget attacks on Chicago teachers, CTU...
Parents 4 Teachers, the growing Chicago organization that has been one of the leaders in community organizing for better public schools, issued its latest manifesto on April 16, 2016, urging people to participate in the CPS budget hearings and to reject the CPS version of financial reality. The statement follows:
Don’t blame teachers
Contrary to the pronouncements of the most recent Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Forrest Claypool, the vast majority of Chicago parents support the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago teachers. Above, a Parents 4 Teachers banner during the April 1, 2016 one-day CTU strike. Photo by Parents 4 Teachers.As CPS released its 2017 budget, the mayor and CEO Forrest Claypool immediately began ratcheting up the pressure on teachers to accept a 7 percent pay cut. Let’s be clear. Teachers have already given more than their fair share. The city stole a 4 percent raise from educators in 2011, increased the length of the day and year without fully paying teachers for it, laid off over 1,200 educators, closed 50 schools, decimated special ed programs, imposed three unpaid furlough days and sanctioned sky rocketing class sizes. We could go on and on.
Most importantly, teacher compensation, including pension costs, have not caused the district’s financial problems. Bad fiscal management, wasteful spending on contracts, ballooning debt payments and charter expansion are at the heart of the current crisis. In fact, teacher pay and benefits as a share of the budget, have been steadily falling for years.
Rather than tap into available revenue, CPS and the city continue to play the blame game. Rather than use the hundreds of millions of dollars in the TIF surplus, reinstate the corporate head tax, or utilize a number of other revenue sources at its disposal, the city chose to slash school budgets by over $150 million, laying off 1,000 educators and staff. All while claiming cuts didn’t hit the classroom.
Now they want teachers to accept a pay cut by eliminating the pension pick up. Years ago, teachers agreed to forego raises in lieu of the pickup, a move that saved the district money. It’s not a perk and it’s not unusual—many districts pay more than CPS. And, to make matters worse, CPS never really contributed the money they supposedly were "picking up" to the pension fund. Remember, teachers don't get social security. Their pension is all they have.
While no one wants a strike, teachers, parents, students and communities across the city must fight back. Attacks on teachers are attacks on our children and their classrooms. The mayor didn’t get this back in 2012 and he still doesn’t get it. But parents do.
Contact your alderman and ask him or her to support the TIF Surplus Ordinance and other progressive revenue proposals being pushed by parents, community groups and the CTU. Find city council contact info here:
And sign this petition to cancel construction of the new Obama College Prep. It makes no sense to open a new high school, when CPS can’t adequately fund the schools it already has. FYI, here’s a list of those school by school layoffs.
Celebrate the Dyett Hunger Strikers It’s been almost a year since the successful Dyett Hunger Strike did what the pundits thought impossible—push CPS to reopen Dyett High School. Join the hunger strikers and others who’ve been fighting for quality schools for all children at a celebration this week:
Wednesday, Aug. 17 5 to 8 p.m. Operation PUSH 930 E. 50th St.
CPS Budget Hearings CPS will hold a series of hearings on the 2017 budget. Unlike prior years, this year’s budget meetings will be held at the CPS office, during the day, on Friday. So much for wanting parent and community engagement. Hearings on the capital budget will be held Wednesday evening and a Truth in Taxation hearing will be held Thursday night. Here’s the full schedule for the week.
#Freedom Square
The Let Us Breath coalition occupying Homan Square, in North Lawndale, is asking for donations of school supplies for students in the community. This part of the city has been ravaged by school closings, turnarounds and other forms of destabilization. They’re asking for khaki uniform pants in all sizes, for all body types and gender identities. Plus, book bags pre-packaged with school supplies. You can drop off supplies at #FreedomSquare, at the camp across from 1011 S. Homan Ave.
P4T Book Club
If you're interested in reading books that push your thinking about fighting for education justice and building social movements, then this book group is the one for you. As parent-activists, we know there's little time between all the things we do, but this book group is one way we can refuel so we can continue to fight for justice.
Featured Book: From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor* When: Saturday, August 27 9:30 to 11 a.m. Township, 2200 N. California Ave. (back room)
We've got a lot of work to do to support teachers and ensure quality schools for all Chicago children. P4T is an all volunteer group--email info@parents4teachers.net to get involved.
