Arbitration ruling on Reopening

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The arbitrator can’t delay the opening of schools but regardless of what the arbiter says, the WTU can [legally or illegally] tell its teachers to stay home. So yes, there is the possibility that students will show up to school on Monday but their teacher does not. If this happens, it would be just one more sign that the WTU could care less about students’ well being.

This would be a really bad look for WTU. I suggest those of you with kids offered in person show up Monday no matter what. Your teacher either will or won't be there, but it will be a very stark picture.

To me this looks like DCPS had a bad plan. Can’t move forward without teachers? What about a compromise? Dcps should just fix the violations over the weekend.

Also these should be open to the public in real time.

This *is* the compromise. WTU literally signed an agreement to return (the MOA).

THIS! Both parties already negotiated and signed the MOA. Trying to find reasons to renegotiate at this stage is negotiating in bad faith, which is what WTU has been doing this whole time. They signed the MOA but never intended to abide by it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, this is true. Charter teachers earn approximately 80% of their DCPS counterparts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the issue is that the WTU is clearly using this as a tactic and trying to shift the goalposts. They have not identified a single school with a specific issue by name. I am not denying that there may be school specific issues that need addressing, but (1) it’s not clear that this is the best way to do that and (2) that is clearly not the WTU’s actual goal. Look at the materials re: the WTU’s protest this weekend, it is not at all about MOA breaches but, once again, shifting the goalposts (this plan is inequitable... not until every teacher vaccinated... not until it’s safe (no definition)... nothing about MOA breaches & desired solutions).

The agreement was developed before at least two of the three strains of the mutated virus were found in the U.S. It may have been developed before the U.K. strain was identified in the U.S.

It's appropriate to shift the goalposts based on this new information.

Absolutely! The world changes. We're now in a world where the model we previously used to pay teachers for in person learning no longer holds. It's time to consider other options for remote education other than the WTU workforce that doesn't want to return. The insanity of the WTU arguing that things change and the sand can shift everywhere but under thier paychecks is ridiculous.

This. It's crazy that WTU teachers are still getting their entire paycheck and benefits while parents are forced to either do a big part of the teacher's job for them or pay to outsource the teacher's job to a private in-person provider. No teacher is doing 100% of their job remotely. If we're going to keep distance learning, then it would be in the best interest of the students to hire teachers in lower cost areas so we can pay them less. Then give part of the per pupil funding to parents to outsource in-person childcare, tutoring, and pods. Or just give up on distance learning and give parents a larger portion of the per pupil funding so they can outsource education completely to private providers. I guarantee that businesses would crop up to provide cost effective pods etc.

But really just reopen schools and assign teachers back to work.

Can we stop saying WTU teachers? As far as I know charter teachers are also getting full paychecks.

Interesting point. Charter schools do seem to be getting a pass by just following behind the WTU/DCPS battle. Somewhere I got the impression their compensation/benefits package was much less generous where DCPS pays at the top of the region. Anyone know?

[Anonymous]

https://dcist.com/story/21/01/31/dc-public-schools-cleared-to-welcome-students-back/

The arbitration ruled that dcps can open next week with two schools needing some additional actions first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://dcist.com/story/21/01/31/dc-public-schools-cleared-to-welcome-students-back/

The arbitration ruled that dcps can open next week with two schools needing some additional actions first.

GOOD. Time to rip off the Band-Aid.

[Anonymous]

I'm a union member who is very scared to see what's going to happen. I have a real fear of going back - i'm one of the few who truly has been doing almost everything possible to avoid covid, no travel socializing etc- but I also recognize that the conditions that were set by our union were met, and that kids do need IP instruction.

So, it's stressful to make a decision as I believe in standing up for what is right-but what is right here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any idea on what happens Monday if they roll out with in person? I heard at our reopening parent meeting that class size for virtual will swell to 35 for pre k 3 kid and 38 for 1st grader. All new teachers and class composition. My kid will adjust but I worry about the kids who need more support and some of the students who don’t speak English. About 1/4 of my oldest class seems to have parents that speak only Spanish (I’ve been ear hustling in class) but not much translation to keep parents in the loop. I think they DCPS should go back the drawing board and make a better plan. Swelling class sizes, new teachers, AND asynchronous seems like a lot of concessions on top of a few care classrooms in quarantine due to positive cases. It’s just way too messy.

I am confused by your question. Individual schools have totally different plans, including different plans by grade level. No one can tell you what will happen at your school unless you share the school name. Your school's plan sounds, frankly, terrible. But that wasn't forced on them by DCPS. Our school is retaining class composition except for students who opted into in person or who agreed to be reallocated to a new teacher virtually to facilitate right sizing of classes (some parents wanted to stay w/ the same teacher even w/ simulcasting & potentially a bigger class; other parents wanted to move if it meant no simulcasting & a smaller class). All of the things you're complaining about are things YOUR school decided to do with teacher input. DCPS had to approve the plans -- and there were some plans rejected, although some of the schools convinced DCPS on appeal -- but schools set the plans in the first place.

Are you saying DCPS takes no responsibility for individual schools? Is the Chancellor not in charge of individual schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a union member who is very scared to see what's going to happen. I have a real fear of going back - i'm one of the few who truly has been doing almost everything possible to avoid covid, no travel socializing etc- but I also recognize that the conditions that were set by our union were met, and that kids do need IP instruction.

So, it's stressful to make a decision as I believe in standing up for what is right-but what is right here?

What decision is there to make? Whether to quit your job or use all your leave to avoid teaching in person?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a union member who is very scared to see what's going to happen. I have a real fear of going back - i'm one of the few who truly has been doing almost everything possible to avoid covid, no travel socializing etc- but I also recognize that the conditions that were set by our union were met, and that kids do need IP instruction.

So, it's stressful to make a decision as I believe in standing up for what is right-but what is right here?

You’re framing the question nicely.

I’m a parent. To me, what would be right would be for DCPS to allow teachers to be vaccinated according to the recommended schedule, and allow the vaccines to take full effect before reopening school.

Once teachers are vaccinated...all the business about HVAC and toilets, it’s to protect the kids of parents who are hellbent on in-person learning. Ironic.

I guess vaccination protocol wasn’t in the MOA, maybe bc it was signed before the vaccine was available?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The arbitrator can’t delay the opening of schools but regardless of what the arbiter says, the WTU can [legally or illegally] tell its teachers to stay home. So yes, there is the possibility that students will show up to school on Monday but their teacher does not. If this happens, it would be just one more sign that the WTU could care less about students’ well being.

This would be a really bad look for WTU. I suggest those of you with kids offered in person show up Monday no matter what. Your teacher either will or won't be there, but it will be a very stark picture.

To me this looks like DCPS had a bad plan. Can’t move forward without teachers? What about a compromise? Dcps should just fix the violations over the weekend.

Also these should be open to the public in real time.

I have no doubt that DCPS is an inefficient government organization, but at this point it’s all on the teachers. They fought in August when community spread was so much lower and the weather was nice. Same in November. Now this. There’s no compromising with the teachers.

DC needs to play hardball and cancel all first and second vaccine appointments for teachers. The ones that have taken their first shots can start over in a few months at their regular place in line like everyone else

1. I thought teachers didn't want to take the vaccine.
2. Are you daft? That just means remote learning, no vaccine, less leverage.

Half of hospital personnel have refused the vaccine. Not sure you can just dump this on the teachers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the issue is that the WTU is clearly using this as a tactic and trying to shift the goalposts. They have not identified a single school with a specific issue by name. I am not denying that there may be school specific issues that need addressing, but (1) it’s not clear that this is the best way to do that and (2) that is clearly not the WTU’s actual goal. Look at the materials re: the WTU’s protest this weekend, it is not at all about MOA breaches but, once again, shifting the goalposts (this plan is inequitable... not until every teacher vaccinated... not until it’s safe (no definition)... nothing about MOA breaches & desired solutions).

The agreement was developed before at least two of the three strains of the mutated virus were found in the U.S. It may have been developed before the U.K. strain was identified in the U.S.

It's appropriate to shift the goalposts based on this new information.

Absolutely! The world changes. We're now in a world where the model we previously used to pay teachers for in person learning no longer holds. It's time to consider other options for remote education other than the WTU workforce that doesn't want to return. The insanity of the WTU arguing that things change and the sand can shift everywhere but under thier paychecks is ridiculous.

This. It's crazy that WTU teachers are still getting their entire paycheck and benefits while parents are forced to either do a big part of the teacher's job for them or pay to outsource the teacher's job to a private in-person provider. No teacher is doing 100% of their job remotely. If we're going to keep distance learning, then it would be in the best interest of the students to hire teachers in lower cost areas so we can pay them less. Then give part of the per pupil funding to parents to outsource in-person childcare, tutoring, and pods. Or just give up on distance learning and give parents a larger portion of the per pupil funding so they can outsource education completely to private providers. I guarantee that businesses would crop up to provide cost effective pods etc.

But really just reopen schools and assign teachers back to work.

This is a stupid post. Once the pandemic is under control and at least 40-50% of the population has been vaccinated, then if teachers are still refusing to teach in person, then go ahead and fire them. Right now it would be ridiculous and would hurt more kids than it would help especially since most minorities and low income families are opting for virtual. DCPS should have hired more teachers for this year like NYC and many other school districts did

[Anonymous]

Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

[Anonymous]

Not moved, PP. My postman still delivers the mail. I'd have been let go from my job months ago if I didn't show up at my office. My physical therapist still treats patients in person like my primary care doctor and dentist. Most of the daycare places in my neighborhood reopened in Sept.

Please pipe down and get on with it already. Taxpayers pay teachers salaries and tens of thousands of us want in-person for our children, thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, this is true. Charter teachers earn approximately 80% of their DCPS counterparts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the issue is that the WTU is clearly using this as a tactic and trying to shift the goalposts. They have not identified a single school with a specific issue by name. I am not denying that there may be school specific issues that need addressing, but (1) it’s not clear that this is the best way to do that and (2) that is clearly not the WTU’s actual goal. Look at the materials re: the WTU’s protest this weekend, it is not at all about MOA breaches but, once again, shifting the goalposts (this plan is inequitable... not until every teacher vaccinated... not until it’s safe (no definition)... nothing about MOA breaches & desired solutions).

The agreement was developed before at least two of the three strains of the mutated virus were found in the U.S. It may have been developed before the U.K. strain was identified in the U.S.

It's appropriate to shift the goalposts based on this new information.

Absolutely! The world changes. We're now in a world where the model we previously used to pay teachers for in person learning no longer holds. It's time to consider other options for remote education other than the WTU workforce that doesn't want to return. The insanity of the WTU arguing that things change and the sand can shift everywhere but under thier paychecks is ridiculous.

This. It's crazy that WTU teachers are still getting their entire paycheck and benefits while parents are forced to either do a big part of the teacher's job for them or pay to outsource the teacher's job to a private in-person provider. No teacher is doing 100% of their job remotely. If we're going to keep distance learning, then it would be in the best interest of the students to hire teachers in lower cost areas so we can pay them less. Then give part of the per pupil funding to parents to outsource in-person childcare, tutoring, and pods. Or just give up on distance learning and give parents a larger portion of the per pupil funding so they can outsource education completely to private providers. I guarantee that businesses would crop up to provide cost effective pods etc.

But really just reopen schools and assign teachers back to work.

Can we stop saying WTU teachers? As far as I know charter teachers are also getting full paychecks.

Interesting point. Charter schools do seem to be getting a pass by just following behind the WTU/DCPS battle. Somewhere I got the impression their compensation/benefits package was much less generous where DCPS pays at the top of the region. Anyone know?

Yes they make less but also have much less difficulty teaching. Charters are 100% allowed to kick students out and do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a union member who is very scared to see what's going to happen. I have a real fear of going back - i'm one of the few who truly has been doing almost everything possible to avoid covid, no travel socializing etc- but I also recognize that the conditions that were set by our union were met, and that kids do need IP instruction.

So, it's stressful to make a decision as I believe in standing up for what is right-but what is right here?

Quit and make room for someone able to educate children, which is the crux of your job.
-essential employee who has worked this whole time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a union member who is very scared to see what's going to happen. I have a real fear of going back - i'm one of the few who truly has been doing almost everything possible to avoid covid, no travel socializing etc- but I also recognize that the conditions that were set by our union were met, and that kids do need IP instruction.

So, it's stressful to make a decision as I believe in standing up for what is right-but what is right here?

Quit and make room for someone able to educate children, which is the crux of your job.
-essential employee who has worked this whole time

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