March 22, 1999 
 

"NEA policy requires UniServ staff to implement ‘a policy of noninterference in the internal political affairs of local and state associations.' In practice, this wall of separation between staff and state is often breached." — from NEA Confidential, page 38. The February 15 EIA Communiqué reported that NEA would put together a task force "to develop  a national strategy against the privatization of public schools." Such a move was not out of character, as NEA and its affiliates have long opposed The Edison Project and other private firms that contract to run public schools. The timing, however, was curious, since there have been rumors floating around about NEA and its California state affiliate, the California Teachers Association, seeking a détente of sorts with Edison on charter schools. 

Lacking any confirmation, EIA did not report those rumors, but they evidently had substance, because the California Staff Organization (the union of CTA professional staffers, including UniServ directors) took a formal position to "direct its members to resign from any CTA task force, committee, or workgroup which may endorse collaboration with, or advocate for, the Edison Project." CSO then formed its own "Charter Schools Task Force" and promised to "organize against the Edison Project at the CTA State Council and elsewhere." The chances that CTA leaders were going to do any collaborating with, or advocating for, The Edison Project, were beyond the realm of possibility. But whatever unofficial, tentative steps CTA made in that vague, general direction were enough to set off staff alarms. The CTA Board of Directors has since voted that "no policy changes relative to privatization should be implemented." 

Voters in Polk County, Iowa, defeated a referendum to add one cent to the sales tax to fund school building repairs and refurbishment. Des Moines school officials and teacher union leaders lobbied hard for the measure, trying to avoid thoughts of what would happen if it failed. "Plan B is disaster," said Des Moines Superintendent Eric Witherspoon, adding that the vote would determine "the future of this city for the next 100 years." The business community also provided support. "There is no way in the world that we'll continue to have a healthy Des Moines [if the measure fails]," said Steve Chapman, chairman of the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce's board of directors. 

Among the opponents of the tax increase was the Iowa Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, who argued that sales taxes are regressive, having a proportionally greater impact on the poor. But there were other reasons. "They began talking about leaking roofs, now they're talking about air conditioning in schools," federation President Mark Smith told the Des Moines Register. "If I was going to be gone from my home all summer, I wouldn't need air conditioning." The measure lost by 46 votes, out of more than 66,000 cast. Pro-tax supporters expect that repairs will now have to come from the general fund, which, according to the Register, "would anger teachers and stir labor unrest." 

Delegates to the state convention of the Florida Teaching Profession-NEA will not only have to decide whether to merge with the AFT-affiliated Florida Education Association, they will also vote up or down on a $15 annual state dues increase, targeted for a $1.2 million public relations campaign. The convention will be held May 13-15 in Tampa. 

Union dues will also be a major issue in South Dakota, where the South Dakota Education Association has been experiencing financial difficulties. State dues will rise $11 this year and SDEA officials will attempt to pass a by-law to add automatic 4 percent dues increases every year. SDEA's operations are heavily subsidized by NEA. 

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton will appear before the annual convention of the New York State United Teachers on April 22. She will accept the union's Albert Shanker Distinguished Service Award. Mrs. Clinton's appearance at the convention fueled speculation that she will run for a U.S. Senate seat in New York. NYSUT, an AFT affiliate which is the dominant teachers' union in New York, is very likely to support a Clinton candidacy. 

I'm afraid we just missed the deadline, but the California Teachers Association had been taking suggestions for what to put in a time capsule, which is to be buried on the site of its new headquarters building in Burlingame. I'm sure communiqué readers have their own suggestions. Send them here and I'll publish the best (clean) ones in a future issue. 

Ooops. The 3/1 EIA Communiqué placed the Shawnee Mission and Blue Valley School Districts in Missouri, when they are actually located in Kansas. EIA accepts its "F" for geography this month. 

Quote of the Week #1 : "I'm confused why my friends who are civil engineers make more than I do. I just have to say I'm going to quit if you don't do something." — Third-year teacher Lori Scobie, speaking at a rally for increased pay in Everett, Washington. 

Quote of the Week #2 : "Teachers are much like every other professional group in Wisconsin and the rest of the United States today. If they aren't improving their skills and becoming more accountable to the ‘customers' they serve, they're losing ground. Status quo is not an option for lawyers, college professors, accountants or any other professionals. So why should it be for teachers?" — Tom Still, associate editor of the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison. 

Quote of the Week #3 : "In most other careers, you have at least the option of asking for a raise, and if you perform well you can get a bonus or promotion. That just doesn't happen in teaching." — California music teacher David Cameron, talking to the Sacramento Bee about his job.