TEACHERS SET PROTEST EXTRA DUTIES TO BE HALTED IN DISPUTE WITH DISTRICT.Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer PALMDALE - With contract talks at a standstill standstill /stand·still/ (stand´stil?) cessation of activity, as of the heart (cardiac s.) or chest (respiratory s.) . stand·still n. Complete cessation of activity or progress. , teachers are threatening to stop giving after-school tutoring, helping out in other teachers' classes and doing other work not spelled out in their work contracts. The Palmdale School District's teachers union is launching the ``work-to-rule'' protest Monday at Palmdale intermediate schools, where teachers will halt all duties not specifically required in their contracts. ``I just want the community to realize that teachers are part of the community. If we suffer, then everybody suffers,'' Palmdale Elementary Teachers Association President Simone Zulu said Wednesday. ``We want to get back to the classroom and do the best job that we can. This is why we want the district to take us seriously and come up with a better offer so we can close the contract out.'' Hundreds of teachers and parents showed up Tuesday night before a Palmdale School District The Palmdale School District is a school district that serves a major part of the city of Palmdale, California (USA). The Palmdale School District was first formed in 1888. Approximately 28,000 students are enrolled in the Palmdale School District. board meeting to protest cuts in jobs and programs and show support for teachers whose contract talks are mired mire n. 1. An area of wet, soggy, muddy ground; a bog. 2. Deep slimy soil or mud. 3. A disadvantageous or difficult condition or situation: the mire of poverty. v. in an impasse im·passe n. 1. A road or passage having no exit; a cul-de-sac. 2. A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made; a deadlock or a stalemate: reached an impasse in the negotiations. . ``It was packed inside and out,'' trustee Sheldon Epstein said. The Palmdale school board on March 1 approved $5.7 million in spending cuts Noun 1. spending cut - the act of reducing spending cut - the act of reducing the amount or number; "the mayor proposed extensive cuts in the city budget" for next school year, eliminating funding for elementary school elementary school: see school. music programs, school counselors A school counselor is a counselor and educator who works in schools, and have historically been referred to as "guidance counselors" or "educational counselors," although "Professional School Counselor" is now the preferred term. and school librarians This is a list of people who have practised as a librarian and are well-known, either for their contributions to the library profession or primarily in some other field. . Funding for about 37 teaching or certificated positions was cut, including those for preschool instructors, nurses, music teachers, psychologists, counselors, and special education teachers. An additional $900,000 in spending cuts remain to be made. Asked to comment on the planned job action, Superintendent Jack Gyves said, ``I'm not sure who suffers in that situation besides the children.'' Gyves said: ``I can understand the widespread concern. It isn't fun to cut anyone's programs or jobs but we are faced with a budget crisis that demands a recovery plan.'' A work-to-rule protest would mean teachers not subbing for other teachers when they have free time, not staying after school to serve on school committees or provide tutoring services, Zulu said. Teachers get extra pay for some of the extra work, Zulu said. Teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District The Los Angeles Unified School District (the "LAUSD") is the largest (in terms of number of students) public school system in California and the second-largest in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population. , also in negotiations for a contract, started a work-to-rule campaign this week. Palmdale teachers are asking for fully paid medical insurance and a 4 percent raise if the district can afford to give a pay hike, Zulu said. District officials have said they can't afford a raise and need to set a limit on employer contributions toward teachers' health insurance. Karen Maeshiro, (661) 267-5744 karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Teachers in the Palmdale School District picket before a school board meeting to protest cuts in jobs and programs. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion