According to a report from our friend Chaz confirmed by our common correspondent at Forest Hills High School, the Assistant Principals at Forest Hills voted no confidence in Principal Ben Sherman by an 11-0 margin (other reports had the vote at 11-1). This news came from the UFT Chapter Leader who announced it at five meetings. Our source tells us that according to the UFT Chapter Leader, the investigation of Sherman is being delayed by the Executive Board of the Council of Supervisors and Administrators, the union for both the principals and the assistant principals in New York City schools.
If the report about the CSA Executive Board defending Sherman is accurate, it is a very puzzling development. I always thought it was a huge conflict of interest that the CSA represents both principals and assistant principals. In the New York City Police Department, there are separate unions for the detectives, sergeants, lieutenants and captains. I think the school supervisors should be organized with separate unions for the principals and the assistant principals.
If the news about the APs from Forest Hills is correct, it would seem that the CSA is protecting one of its members while basically ignoring the wishes of 11 others who are now reported to be on the record in opposition to Sherman. The Assistant Principals vote supports the UFT staff that overwhelmingly voted no confidence in Principal Sherman earlier this semester.
27 comments:
The UFT likes these type of Principals whose only purpose is to harass, and target veteran teachers like what Dwarka did. They want our schools to fail.
I know I shouldn't respond but do you really believe UFT wants pur schools to fail?
When a school acerage test score goes from 45 to 16, and Principal Dwarka is still in charge. The answer is yes.
The UFT has the power to remove principals? Not easily done.
What does the UFT have power to do, other than garnishing our wages twice a month?
After Janus, we are paying voluntarily. Why is our union so powerless? Are we putting collective pressure on the UFT to act?
FHills is putting that pressure on UFT and DOE.
I am all about teachers standing up for themselves and demanding union help along the way, BUT, our union rarely helps. I know for a fact my district rep is even for some reason in cahoots with my schools admin, maybe they brunch together who knows. My point is that even if we stand together and demand the UFT help us, we will be screwed over while we wait, and rubber roomed or worse. Now I speak my mind all the time and call my admin on stuff and guess what when you show them the contract language and have the balls to demand they fix it they do, another big but though, you have to be on your shit, you can't let them be able to get on you, that means logging calls, anecdotal, everything in writing, etc. The real issue with a lot ( not all) teachers who are screwed over for demanding their rights is they give admin ammunition to get them. No one has time for all that little stuff but in the end when they try to get you thats all you need, those plan books , anecdotal books, etc.
The question is why these Principals are not removed when things are getting worse.
If most of a chapter stands united, little chance of admin nickel and diming you for nonsense. My wife and I were both chapter leaders who kept most of our chapters together and made working conditions better for UFT members. We were only successful getting rid of administrators once in a blue moon but we did keep them in check.
What about keeping bad teachers in check? Ive asked everyone about how to hold my ICT co teacher accountable. She does nothing and collects the same pay as me. Several other GenED teachers in my schools feel the same about other SPED teachers. They dont even want to lesson plan. What is the solution James?
James, you and your wife are a rarity. (The last time I encountered a great Chapter Leader was Eliot Gloskin back about 20 years ago. He came to one of the dumps I was sent to as an ATR, but I missed him, as no one (ever) informed me there was a UFT meeting. In all the warehouses I was rotated into, only two chapter leaders introduced themselves to me.) What kind of pressure can any staff collectively make on the UFT? There is only one effective way. The staff has to tell the UFT (in writing and publicly) that they will collectively pull their dues. Time is of the essence because this one effective means is only available during the upcoming two week window in June. The staff should be prepared to follow through on the promise. Every staff member that has asked for and have not received it should do the same, and that includes every Adult Ed teacher, ATR, untenured teacher, veteran teacher and harassed teacher. The UFT has to be forced to look itself in the mirror. It’s not a pretty sight. The UFT needs to speak out against these abusove principals, Open Market, Fair Student Funding and ATR pool - and that’s just for a start.
Thats the challenge I am taking about, getting a chapter united! It's hard when your CL is the principals spy. This is the scenario of many many schools. See the problem? If only they could all be Eternos, and Goldstiens! We would all be golden, but unfortunately more teachers than not are too scared to even take the positions. There should be a survey of how many chapter leaders run unopposed! Our career is in a sad state thanks to our pathetic union combined with the nefarious public ED hating groups.
The Uft does not care either way if schools are solid or failing. The mayor doesn’t care either.
Pay me, leave me alone and I’m fine.
I’ve stopped trying and both my weight and blood pressure are better.
Infighting never works. It leads to divide and conquer. Work it out if there are internal struggles. To the extent possible, it is better to have united chapters to get what we need.
any reason my post responding to 6:09 has not been approved?
Google didn't send me an email so I didn't see a number of these comments. As soon as I saw all of them, I posted. Sorry about the delay.
Why do I have a massive suspicion that the "2 observations" for tenured teachers next year is going to get messed up royally? I bet my TDA that there are going to be s ton of admins who are gonna pull some bullshit with this new system.
We have a shameless Union, and a whole bunch of Leadership Principals destroying our schools.
I agree with Anon 5:35. Admins can now rate a tenured teacher ineffective after a total of 30 minutes; and only thirteen percent of those I ratings can be grieved. What. . . the. . . Ffffuh? The Admins don’t have to do a pre conference nor a real post observation (a conversation in the hallway is sufficient according to the FAQ). Why do we even have a union?!?! Would someone please convince me that next year won’t be an absolute bloodbath? Because, honestly, it seems that Supes are already trying to get APs tuned up at the end of this year.
Didn't they say that 95% of all teachers are rated effective? So why should we be worried that admins will mess up the new evaluation system? Please explain.
What can be done for a school in which nobody wants to be the CL?
There is not enough time in the day to teach 25 periods, teach 140 students, lesson plan for 3 courses, paperwork, grading, parent communication, etc. and be an effective CL.
Pathetic union? They save people get the government they deserve. And if nobody runs for a chapter leader to challenge an obvious incompetent, or worse, then they get what they deserve. And it has nothing to do with the Union at Large.
Because they are using it as a weaponto terminate who they want.
The UFT doesn’t protect good CLs, they hang them out in the wind for the DOE to pick apart slowly. A good CL is ignored by the UFT. If you look at all the abuse happening, the UFT isn’t helping anyone. Threatening to hold back dues is the only way to get the UFT attention.
5:26 It totally has to do with the union at large, talk to some people , go to a city wide PD and ask your fellow teachers if they feel protected. Most will say no or worse have no clue they have protections. Why is this? Because our union lets admin walk all over us. They are pathetic, sorry.
The UFT is corrupt and useless.
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