''crazy,'' as ''chaos'' reigned while students watched television, talked on cellular telephones and played the card game Uno, according to several students.
The teachers want to "negotiate", presumably for higher pay, but they don't seem to like the Superintendent, Sherry Buccieri. The Perkins Education Association issued a statement saying:
''With Sherri Buccieri as the superintendent in Perkins chaos has been the order of the day. Our students and our community deserve better. Take back Perkins schools!''
Meanwhile
''Chaos and confusion,'' the flyer read. ''Up to 100 students in one room. Lack of communication to parents coming to school. Students assigned to rooms without desks or chairs. Students watching TV, some napping, some throwing spitballs.''
By the way, the students were locked into the building at noon.
Once the lockdown ended, police were posted at the high school doors, students said. About 2 p.m., at least four girls climbed out the first-floor window of an English classroom facing Campbell Street, where dozens of teachers marched next to the road.
''That was basically the only way out without being stopped,'' said Jessica Evans, who started her senior year in school and ended the day by climbing out the window.
Confused? Me, too.
7 comments:
Usually, a strike shuts down the school. If the teachers are on strike, why is school in sesssion? Why would parents send the kids to school if the teachers are on strike? Did I miss part of the story?
Susan,
Nope, you didn't miss a thing. The article was one of the most muddled bits of reporting I've seen in many a day.
You're right, if there's a teacher strike the school is normally closed. One of the confusing things about the article was that it said that a few teachers had broken ranks to return to work. Why that should allow the school to open isn't clear to me.
How can a bureaucracy operate with no bureaucrats?
Steve Erbach
The Town Crank
I'm writing about colonial Virginia right now and after writing most of the chapter, I named it "blunder and bluster" -- I'm thinking that's a good title for a story on this strike. :)I wouldn't send my kids to school with a strike on, even if there were a few teachers on hand.
Susan,
I hear and agree. What else are we going to do with the little darlings, though? I suppose, since summer just ended, the kids would know how to fend for themselves at home while mumsy and dadsy are at work. It just sounds like a horrible mess.
Steve Erbach
The Town Crank
Susan,
For what it's worth, here's a follow up to this story: a PDF file telling the "truth" about the strike. It's in a Myth vs. Reality format. For example:
MYTH: The Union is not to blame for tensions near schools
REALITY: The Union chose to strike and thus required the hiring of substitute teachers to open school. Union pickets have intimidated parents dropping off children at Furry School, as described in today‘s Register. Many parents complained of picketers blowing whistles and yelling at parents, students and administrators in cars. The PEA issued an apology for “overzealous” behavior on the picket line. The Union is intentionally causing tension and creating unrest.
Stuff like that...
Steve Erbach
The Town Crank
This is Ohio where a background check and an undergraduate degree will get you into a classroom as a "substitute". However, that, too, is changing. The schools were opened with some of the subs not having the background check in Ohio and they were removed from the classrooms. The students were told that their absences would be considered unexcused.
The strike has ended with non-financial issues settled and finances going into binding arbitration. Students will not be in school today.
Thanks for that update. It sounded hellaciously confusing to me! It still does.
Steve Erbach
The Town Crank
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