John Dewey Is Not Dead is not affiliated with the Waukegan Public School District 60 or the Waukegan Teacher's Council. John Dewey Is Not Dead provides insight into the ongoing Waukegan teachers strike and does not represent the views of Waukegan Public School District 60 or the Waukegan Teacher's Council.
10/29/14 3:45 am
On Civility and Responsibility (alternately titled No Apology)
John Dewey is not quite satisfied with the Memo of Apology issued by Board of Education member Victoria Torres late this afternoon. The memo serves as further evidence of the complete inability of the Waukegan Board of Education to take responsibility for any of their actions or decisions.
While John Dewey would agree that we are in stressful times, that is no excuse for the behavior that is now recorded for YouTube posterity. “Sit Down and Shut Up!” was the lead on multiple news programs last night, this morning and well into this afternoon’s newscasts. Your “15 minutes of fame,” Ms. Torres has brought disgrace to our community. Your non-apology, apology just brings us embarrassment.
Here is Ms. Torres’s statement, in its entirety:
From Ms. Victoria Torres
I sincerely apologize for my actions last night, and can offer no excuse for them. The tensions of the past few weeks, as well as the personal attacks on my character, my family and my actions, have been nearly unbearable. In the chaos of the Board meeting, where we couldn’t even hear the person next to us, I felt attacked and lost my temper. As a leader, I realize I set a poor example for the students of Waukegan Public Schools, and for the community, and I am truly sorry for how I acted.
Ms. Torres clearly states in her first sentence that she can “offer no excuse for” her actions. She then proceeds to offer excuses for her actions. That is an important characteristic of the non-apology, apology. Keep in mind, the tension Ms. Torres refers to is related to a set of conditions she is responsible for creating as a sitting Board of Education member. As an empiricist, John Dewey rarely relies on quoting scripture, however in this case John Dewey is reminded, “As you sow, so shall you reap.”
You “felt attacked,” yet you “couldn’t even hear the person next to” you. Which was it? John Dewey wonders if perhaps it was more an instance of selective hearing on the part of someone itching for a fight. It appeared to those in attendance, John Dewey included, that the source of your irritation was the community’s rejection of the Board’s plan to thwart public comment time, by providing your discredited colleague a forum to bash teachers. When the community rejected your corrupt plan, you had nothing to fall back on, hence you flew into a rage.
John Dewey is pleased to learn that Ms. Torres realizes she set a poor example for the students and community. John Dewey wonders if Ms. Torres includes the Waukegan Public School teachers in her definition of community. Based on reports coming out of negotiations this afternoon, she does not. A Waukegan Teacher’s Council statement from earlier this afternoon indicates:
The District admitted that the agreement was close yesterday, but the Board of Education wanted to pull back all progress made in reaction to last night’s Board meeting where parents and community members expressed their frustration at the Board, resulting in one Board member, Victoria Torres, leaping off the stage and confronting parent head-on.
Was this your true intention, Ms. Torres? You heard reports of progress and had to sabotage the negotiations? If nothing else, these early reports from today feed the lack of sincerity contained in your apology.
Ms. Torres concludes her non-apology, apology with a reference to herself as a leader. John Dewey wonders if the irony is intentional. You proved yourself to be anything but a leader last evening. When you flew into a rage and leapt from the stage, symbolically attacking the community, you failed to be a leader. When you verbally assaulted the community you were elected to serve, you failed to be a leader. Afterward, as you sat at the dais, with the smug smirk of self-confidence, you failed to be a leader. Even now, as you offer weak excuses for your actions, your inability to accept full responsibility, you fail to be a leader.
Ms. Torres, if you truly regret your actions, there is but one thing left for you to do. If you don’t regret your actions, there is but one thing for you to do. Ms. Torres you must resign your position as member of the Waukegan School Board. You are unfit to serve.
On Civility and Responsibility (alternately titled No Apology)
John Dewey is not quite satisfied with the Memo of Apology issued by Board of Education member Victoria Torres late this afternoon. The memo serves as further evidence of the complete inability of the Waukegan Board of Education to take responsibility for any of their actions or decisions.
While John Dewey would agree that we are in stressful times, that is no excuse for the behavior that is now recorded for YouTube posterity. “Sit Down and Shut Up!” was the lead on multiple news programs last night, this morning and well into this afternoon’s newscasts. Your “15 minutes of fame,” Ms. Torres has brought disgrace to our community. Your non-apology, apology just brings us embarrassment.
Here is Ms. Torres’s statement, in its entirety:
From Ms. Victoria Torres
I sincerely apologize for my actions last night, and can offer no excuse for them. The tensions of the past few weeks, as well as the personal attacks on my character, my family and my actions, have been nearly unbearable. In the chaos of the Board meeting, where we couldn’t even hear the person next to us, I felt attacked and lost my temper. As a leader, I realize I set a poor example for the students of Waukegan Public Schools, and for the community, and I am truly sorry for how I acted.
Ms. Torres clearly states in her first sentence that she can “offer no excuse for” her actions. She then proceeds to offer excuses for her actions. That is an important characteristic of the non-apology, apology. Keep in mind, the tension Ms. Torres refers to is related to a set of conditions she is responsible for creating as a sitting Board of Education member. As an empiricist, John Dewey rarely relies on quoting scripture, however in this case John Dewey is reminded, “As you sow, so shall you reap.”
You “felt attacked,” yet you “couldn’t even hear the person next to” you. Which was it? John Dewey wonders if perhaps it was more an instance of selective hearing on the part of someone itching for a fight. It appeared to those in attendance, John Dewey included, that the source of your irritation was the community’s rejection of the Board’s plan to thwart public comment time, by providing your discredited colleague a forum to bash teachers. When the community rejected your corrupt plan, you had nothing to fall back on, hence you flew into a rage.
John Dewey is pleased to learn that Ms. Torres realizes she set a poor example for the students and community. John Dewey wonders if Ms. Torres includes the Waukegan Public School teachers in her definition of community. Based on reports coming out of negotiations this afternoon, she does not. A Waukegan Teacher’s Council statement from earlier this afternoon indicates:
The District admitted that the agreement was close yesterday, but the Board of Education wanted to pull back all progress made in reaction to last night’s Board meeting where parents and community members expressed their frustration at the Board, resulting in one Board member, Victoria Torres, leaping off the stage and confronting parent head-on.
Was this your true intention, Ms. Torres? You heard reports of progress and had to sabotage the negotiations? If nothing else, these early reports from today feed the lack of sincerity contained in your apology.
Ms. Torres concludes her non-apology, apology with a reference to herself as a leader. John Dewey wonders if the irony is intentional. You proved yourself to be anything but a leader last evening. When you flew into a rage and leapt from the stage, symbolically attacking the community, you failed to be a leader. When you verbally assaulted the community you were elected to serve, you failed to be a leader. Afterward, as you sat at the dais, with the smug smirk of self-confidence, you failed to be a leader. Even now, as you offer weak excuses for your actions, your inability to accept full responsibility, you fail to be a leader.
Ms. Torres, if you truly regret your actions, there is but one thing left for you to do. If you don’t regret your actions, there is but one thing for you to do. Ms. Torres you must resign your position as member of the Waukegan School Board. You are unfit to serve.
10/26/14 9:30 pm
When Image is Everything, Then Reality Means Nothing
Waukegan Public School District 60 has embarked on an ambitious public relations campaign aimed at reclaiming its image and restoring the community’s faith and confidence in it. Borrowing a phrase from the late 1980s, District strategists have undertaken an effort to create “a kinder, gentler” WPS 60. Today’s effort attempts to characterize the Teachers Union as responsible for the District’s own failure to provide free and reduced meals to eligible students.
Before we examine Dr. Batiste’s fondness for playing the blame game, let’s examine the issue of free and reduced meals and the District’s responsibility for providing meals to our students. A vast majority of Waukegan Public School students are eligible for free and reduced meals. The percentage is so large, in fact, that the District receives significant funding for its lunch and breakfast programs.
During the current labor situation, the District made the decision to suspend providing meals to students. Similar to other offensive decisions the District has made, this was a choice on their part. Nothing or no one required them to cancel the nutrition program. As point of reference, the District opens several school buildings each summer to provide nutritious meals to students throughout the summer months, when schools are normally closed.
Today, Sunday, October 26, the District says it wants to provide lunch to students but blames the Teachers Union and specifically its President for standing in the way. John Dewey will allow the Teachers Union to defend themselves. Late this evening, their President issued a statement refuting the factual basis of the District’s current claim. John Dewey encourages all to locate the statement on the Waukegan Teachers’ Council Facebook page. It provides a contrast to what the District has put out. (In terms of veracity, the Teacher's statements have been more accurate during this negotiation cycle.)
However, John Dewey has a few questions for Dr. Batiste. Why have you waited until now to think about our students? Where have you been as the issue of good nutrition has played out for nearly four weeks? What leadership have you shown with regards to this particular issue? Why have you been silent on this issue for twenty-four days?—remember Day 1 of the strike was October 2.
Twenty-four days you have been silent. Twenty-four days you have been absent. Within those same twenty-four days, you were certain to purchase thousands of barricades to surround Lincoln Center. You purchased additional barricades to surround WHS-Brookside Campus where you now must hold your Board of Education meetings. Within those same twenty-four days you hired additional security and off-duty police to protect “fortress Lincoln Center.” Within those twenty-four days you paid nearly $100,000 in additional fees to Anthony Ficarelli.
Teacher’s identified this need almost immediately. Within days, multiple foods drives were being coordinated across the district by the same teacher’s that are walking the picket lines. When these efforts were publicized, why didn’t you reach out to the Teacher’s Union then, Dr. Batiste? Multiple news reports were published during week two of the strike, focusing on this exact issue? Where were you then, Dr. Batiste? Why no effort to meet the needs of your community? Well into the third week, more news coverage, and still no action from Dr. Batiste. Your failure to act then, makes us question, “Why now, Dr. Batiste?”
John Dewey can tell you why. The press release issued at 4:15 on a Sunday afternoon is nothing short of a public relations stunt that displays immense callousness towards the community you serve. It contains the same half-truths (which makes the other half lies), distortions and misrepresentations that have become commonplace during these negotiations. If this is such an important issue to you, why have you waited 24 days? Insincere does not begin to describe your actions.
Hunger, good nutrition, and wellness are very serious issues within our community. Issues that are both compounded and highlighted due to the current labor situation. For you to manipulate this serious issue to leverage some sort of public relations gain is, in short, despicable.
When your core value is “image is everything” then reality means nothing. Fortunately, the Waukegan community sees beyond the image that Dr. Batiste, Dr. Lamping and Anthony Ficarelli are trying to rehabilitate. They have been seen for what they are. Dr. Batiste and the current administration have proven themselves incapable of providing the vision or leadership necessary to lead WPS 60 forward.
When Image is Everything, Then Reality Means Nothing
Waukegan Public School District 60 has embarked on an ambitious public relations campaign aimed at reclaiming its image and restoring the community’s faith and confidence in it. Borrowing a phrase from the late 1980s, District strategists have undertaken an effort to create “a kinder, gentler” WPS 60. Today’s effort attempts to characterize the Teachers Union as responsible for the District’s own failure to provide free and reduced meals to eligible students.
Before we examine Dr. Batiste’s fondness for playing the blame game, let’s examine the issue of free and reduced meals and the District’s responsibility for providing meals to our students. A vast majority of Waukegan Public School students are eligible for free and reduced meals. The percentage is so large, in fact, that the District receives significant funding for its lunch and breakfast programs.
During the current labor situation, the District made the decision to suspend providing meals to students. Similar to other offensive decisions the District has made, this was a choice on their part. Nothing or no one required them to cancel the nutrition program. As point of reference, the District opens several school buildings each summer to provide nutritious meals to students throughout the summer months, when schools are normally closed.
Today, Sunday, October 26, the District says it wants to provide lunch to students but blames the Teachers Union and specifically its President for standing in the way. John Dewey will allow the Teachers Union to defend themselves. Late this evening, their President issued a statement refuting the factual basis of the District’s current claim. John Dewey encourages all to locate the statement on the Waukegan Teachers’ Council Facebook page. It provides a contrast to what the District has put out. (In terms of veracity, the Teacher's statements have been more accurate during this negotiation cycle.)
However, John Dewey has a few questions for Dr. Batiste. Why have you waited until now to think about our students? Where have you been as the issue of good nutrition has played out for nearly four weeks? What leadership have you shown with regards to this particular issue? Why have you been silent on this issue for twenty-four days?—remember Day 1 of the strike was October 2.
Twenty-four days you have been silent. Twenty-four days you have been absent. Within those same twenty-four days, you were certain to purchase thousands of barricades to surround Lincoln Center. You purchased additional barricades to surround WHS-Brookside Campus where you now must hold your Board of Education meetings. Within those same twenty-four days you hired additional security and off-duty police to protect “fortress Lincoln Center.” Within those twenty-four days you paid nearly $100,000 in additional fees to Anthony Ficarelli.
Teacher’s identified this need almost immediately. Within days, multiple foods drives were being coordinated across the district by the same teacher’s that are walking the picket lines. When these efforts were publicized, why didn’t you reach out to the Teacher’s Union then, Dr. Batiste? Multiple news reports were published during week two of the strike, focusing on this exact issue? Where were you then, Dr. Batiste? Why no effort to meet the needs of your community? Well into the third week, more news coverage, and still no action from Dr. Batiste. Your failure to act then, makes us question, “Why now, Dr. Batiste?”
John Dewey can tell you why. The press release issued at 4:15 on a Sunday afternoon is nothing short of a public relations stunt that displays immense callousness towards the community you serve. It contains the same half-truths (which makes the other half lies), distortions and misrepresentations that have become commonplace during these negotiations. If this is such an important issue to you, why have you waited 24 days? Insincere does not begin to describe your actions.
Hunger, good nutrition, and wellness are very serious issues within our community. Issues that are both compounded and highlighted due to the current labor situation. For you to manipulate this serious issue to leverage some sort of public relations gain is, in short, despicable.
When your core value is “image is everything” then reality means nothing. Fortunately, the Waukegan community sees beyond the image that Dr. Batiste, Dr. Lamping and Anthony Ficarelli are trying to rehabilitate. They have been seen for what they are. Dr. Batiste and the current administration have proven themselves incapable of providing the vision or leadership necessary to lead WPS 60 forward.
10/26/14 9:30 am
District 60 Admits They Are Source of Financial Hardships and Uncertainties
John Dewey remains puzzled as to the latest move by the Waukegan Board of Education, Superintendent Donaldo Batiste and hired gun Anthony Ficarelli. The District announced late Friday that it would be issuing teachers their October 31 paychecks one week early.
Don’t get John Dewey wrong, I am sure the teachers will gladly accepted payment for the time they had already worked. It’s not like the District is just giving money away to teachers. (Unlike their efforts at giving money away to the likes of Anthony Ficarelli, Harvey Perkins, Leila Eames and a host of other low-quality, high-priced consultants). Why not collect the interest, perhaps pay a few bills early or what not. Financial planners always advise that when given a choice, it’s best to hold your own funds, rather than let someone else hold them.
However, what puzzles John Dewey is the rational offered by the District. The District states:
We understand the hardship and financial uncertainties teachers are facing, and hope that receiving their checks early will aid in that.
Here’s the puzzlement. While so many folks in the Waukegan community are experiencing financial hardships, to date the teacher’s have continued to be paid for services they have already rendered the district. While everyone connected to this labor action (except Lincoln Center, of course) has made sacrifices, for the teachers missing a paycheck hasn’t been one of them.
So, what’s the source of the financial hardships the District identifies the teachers as having to struggle through? Oh, John Dewey gets it!
One reason teachers are experiencing financial hardship is that they are grossly underpaid compared to others within the same profession. At one level, that’s what this labor struggle is about. On a related note, teachers pour so many of their own resources into their classrooms to compensate for the failure of the District to provide basic resources.
Another reason teachers are experiencing financial hardship is the district’s decision to unilaterally cancel health insurance for all teachers. Retroactively cancelling an insurance premium that had been paid is done specifically to create hardship. Labor attorneys consulted by John Dewey have uniformly stated that while this is something an employer can “technically” do, few if any actually carry the decision through because of the hardships it would create, the pain and suffering it would cause and the added expense to the employer related to canceling insurance. This was a conscious decision on the part of the Board, done at the specific direction of Mr. Ficarelli and Drs. Batiste and Lamping.
The District extends financial hardships to the community by failing to negotiate in good faith and by keeping our schools closed. The financial hardships the District has inflicted upon Waukegan families in incalculable. John Dewey has covered previously the myriad of delay tactics Mr. Ficarelli employees to extend the labor action and attempt to divide the teachers and community Once again, he has failed in both efforts.
What is truly remarkable is that while the community has to deal with the hardships and uncertainties caused by the District’s actions, they continue to give freely of their time and resources to support the teachers. John Dewey is sure that from a teacher’s perspective, what the community has given is far more precious that releasing a paycheck a week early.
Thank you District administration for accepting responsibility for the financial hardship and uncertainties you have created. If you really want to end these hardships and uncertainties, remove Mr. Ficarelli as your lead tactician, sit across the table from the teachers’ representatives, and reach a deal. Not only would that relieve the hardships you profess to care so much about, but it would be the first step in reclaiming the faith and confidence of an entire community. To do less makes your current effort nothing more than a cheap public relations move. Judging by your P.R. track record, everything you have done has backfired.
District 60 Admits They Are Source of Financial Hardships and Uncertainties
John Dewey remains puzzled as to the latest move by the Waukegan Board of Education, Superintendent Donaldo Batiste and hired gun Anthony Ficarelli. The District announced late Friday that it would be issuing teachers their October 31 paychecks one week early.
Don’t get John Dewey wrong, I am sure the teachers will gladly accepted payment for the time they had already worked. It’s not like the District is just giving money away to teachers. (Unlike their efforts at giving money away to the likes of Anthony Ficarelli, Harvey Perkins, Leila Eames and a host of other low-quality, high-priced consultants). Why not collect the interest, perhaps pay a few bills early or what not. Financial planners always advise that when given a choice, it’s best to hold your own funds, rather than let someone else hold them.
However, what puzzles John Dewey is the rational offered by the District. The District states:
We understand the hardship and financial uncertainties teachers are facing, and hope that receiving their checks early will aid in that.
Here’s the puzzlement. While so many folks in the Waukegan community are experiencing financial hardships, to date the teacher’s have continued to be paid for services they have already rendered the district. While everyone connected to this labor action (except Lincoln Center, of course) has made sacrifices, for the teachers missing a paycheck hasn’t been one of them.
So, what’s the source of the financial hardships the District identifies the teachers as having to struggle through? Oh, John Dewey gets it!
One reason teachers are experiencing financial hardship is that they are grossly underpaid compared to others within the same profession. At one level, that’s what this labor struggle is about. On a related note, teachers pour so many of their own resources into their classrooms to compensate for the failure of the District to provide basic resources.
Another reason teachers are experiencing financial hardship is the district’s decision to unilaterally cancel health insurance for all teachers. Retroactively cancelling an insurance premium that had been paid is done specifically to create hardship. Labor attorneys consulted by John Dewey have uniformly stated that while this is something an employer can “technically” do, few if any actually carry the decision through because of the hardships it would create, the pain and suffering it would cause and the added expense to the employer related to canceling insurance. This was a conscious decision on the part of the Board, done at the specific direction of Mr. Ficarelli and Drs. Batiste and Lamping.
The District extends financial hardships to the community by failing to negotiate in good faith and by keeping our schools closed. The financial hardships the District has inflicted upon Waukegan families in incalculable. John Dewey has covered previously the myriad of delay tactics Mr. Ficarelli employees to extend the labor action and attempt to divide the teachers and community Once again, he has failed in both efforts.
What is truly remarkable is that while the community has to deal with the hardships and uncertainties caused by the District’s actions, they continue to give freely of their time and resources to support the teachers. John Dewey is sure that from a teacher’s perspective, what the community has given is far more precious that releasing a paycheck a week early.
Thank you District administration for accepting responsibility for the financial hardship and uncertainties you have created. If you really want to end these hardships and uncertainties, remove Mr. Ficarelli as your lead tactician, sit across the table from the teachers’ representatives, and reach a deal. Not only would that relieve the hardships you profess to care so much about, but it would be the first step in reclaiming the faith and confidence of an entire community. To do less makes your current effort nothing more than a cheap public relations move. Judging by your P.R. track record, everything you have done has backfired.
10/24/14 10:17
It’s Hard to Play by the Rules When You Don’t Know What Game They’re Playing
Today was one of those days that seemed to offer good reasons to be optimistic. The nasty, negative chatter emanating from Lincoln Center had settled down. Both sides to the negotiations had issued a similar, more tempered statement at the end of the day Thursday. Rumors spoke to slow and steady progress. Perhaps that is what made the sudden conclusion to today’s negotiations so surprising.
Within an hour, though, the District issued another in a long line of faux, detail-laden statements that appeared to destroy any reason parents, students and teachers had for optimism. Honestly, John Dewey was, and is to a certain extent, perplexed. If you, dear reader, are as perplexed as John Dewey, please allow us to share a few thoughts as a means of bringing some clarity to what the heck is going on.
The opening of the robocall message to staff/community is very telling. The robocall message and the printed press release posted to the WPS 60 web site contain an identical sentence:
The Board of Education for Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 made its most recent financial counter-proposal to the Teachers’ Union at the conclusion of the negotiation session today.
What this tells us, and this is no small matter, is that the offer details that were contained in the robocall and the press release were “shared” as the day’s session had ended. This suggests that the union was afforded no opportunities for clarification, no chance for questions, no time for detailed explanation, and no time for discussion. John Dewey has a vision of the Board handing a counter-proposal to the mediator, and as the mediator leaves the room to deliver the proposal to the Union (remember the District’s demand for separate rooms), the District team packs up and leaves.
So what do we make of one party to a negotiation that makes a counter proposal, ends the negotiation session under the conditions described above and then broadcasts the details in a press release. John Dewey cautions all to be highly suspect of the press release. As the man who penned the press release, Mr. Ficarelli knows the press release is not worth the paper that it's written on.
John Dewey wonders, if the District was so proud of its recent financial counter-proposal, the offer that was so compelling that they had to put together a press release touting its brilliance, why didn’t they stick around to see its work through to conclusion? Why did they drop and run? Why didn’t they see if any clarification was needed? Offer a chance for questions? Maybe stick around to hear the “Oohs” and “Ahhs” of the Union negotiation team? No. The District team did none of that. They just dropped and ran.
More pointedly, why didn’t Mr. Ficarelli stick around to see the results of his masterful work? Mr. Ficarelli’s choice was to parade before the news microphones, not sit at the table to conclude a deal.
Here’s why? The offer is not much different than any of the other offers the District has made. The District’s offer continues to play games with math, inflating salary percentages and/or failing to mention that few if any teachers qualify for the big numbers they toss about. It’s just not as good as it “sounds.”
A critical question to ask of the District is why are you not willing to negotiate until Monday. Why have you chosen to avoid negotiating on Saturday? Why have you chosen to avoid negotiating on Sunday? These are District decisions, probably at the direction of Mr. Ficarelli. Just yesterday morning, the District said they were willing to do anything to conclude a fair contract. People say “What happened today to cause this?”, but John Dewey believes the accurate question is “Why did you lie yesterday?” You have proven repeatedly that you have no intention of working through to a conclusion.
By continuing to negotiate in public, the District team engages in an unfair labor practice. This has been communicated to them multiple times. So why continue with this practice? John Dewey sees two reasons. First, the District’s lead negotiator doesn’t give a damn about rules. In fact, he cares less about rules and more about playing some kind of game with the Waukegan community. This has been clear for a long time. Second, the Union continues to abide by protocols established at the outset of negotiations. They continue to play by the rules, even when the District has changed the game. Having learned this about the union, it’s highly probable the District is exploring union solidarity and commitment, trying to find something to exploit. John Dewey’s observations of union solidarity leads us to conclude the District plays this game at their own detriment.
Separately, John Dewey will explore the district’s claim that “the checks in the mail,” and how they are attempting to move public opinion. Be sure to check back.
It’s Hard to Play by the Rules When You Don’t Know What Game They’re Playing
Today was one of those days that seemed to offer good reasons to be optimistic. The nasty, negative chatter emanating from Lincoln Center had settled down. Both sides to the negotiations had issued a similar, more tempered statement at the end of the day Thursday. Rumors spoke to slow and steady progress. Perhaps that is what made the sudden conclusion to today’s negotiations so surprising.
Within an hour, though, the District issued another in a long line of faux, detail-laden statements that appeared to destroy any reason parents, students and teachers had for optimism. Honestly, John Dewey was, and is to a certain extent, perplexed. If you, dear reader, are as perplexed as John Dewey, please allow us to share a few thoughts as a means of bringing some clarity to what the heck is going on.
The opening of the robocall message to staff/community is very telling. The robocall message and the printed press release posted to the WPS 60 web site contain an identical sentence:
The Board of Education for Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 made its most recent financial counter-proposal to the Teachers’ Union at the conclusion of the negotiation session today.
What this tells us, and this is no small matter, is that the offer details that were contained in the robocall and the press release were “shared” as the day’s session had ended. This suggests that the union was afforded no opportunities for clarification, no chance for questions, no time for detailed explanation, and no time for discussion. John Dewey has a vision of the Board handing a counter-proposal to the mediator, and as the mediator leaves the room to deliver the proposal to the Union (remember the District’s demand for separate rooms), the District team packs up and leaves.
So what do we make of one party to a negotiation that makes a counter proposal, ends the negotiation session under the conditions described above and then broadcasts the details in a press release. John Dewey cautions all to be highly suspect of the press release. As the man who penned the press release, Mr. Ficarelli knows the press release is not worth the paper that it's written on.
John Dewey wonders, if the District was so proud of its recent financial counter-proposal, the offer that was so compelling that they had to put together a press release touting its brilliance, why didn’t they stick around to see its work through to conclusion? Why did they drop and run? Why didn’t they see if any clarification was needed? Offer a chance for questions? Maybe stick around to hear the “Oohs” and “Ahhs” of the Union negotiation team? No. The District team did none of that. They just dropped and ran.
More pointedly, why didn’t Mr. Ficarelli stick around to see the results of his masterful work? Mr. Ficarelli’s choice was to parade before the news microphones, not sit at the table to conclude a deal.
Here’s why? The offer is not much different than any of the other offers the District has made. The District’s offer continues to play games with math, inflating salary percentages and/or failing to mention that few if any teachers qualify for the big numbers they toss about. It’s just not as good as it “sounds.”
A critical question to ask of the District is why are you not willing to negotiate until Monday. Why have you chosen to avoid negotiating on Saturday? Why have you chosen to avoid negotiating on Sunday? These are District decisions, probably at the direction of Mr. Ficarelli. Just yesterday morning, the District said they were willing to do anything to conclude a fair contract. People say “What happened today to cause this?”, but John Dewey believes the accurate question is “Why did you lie yesterday?” You have proven repeatedly that you have no intention of working through to a conclusion.
By continuing to negotiate in public, the District team engages in an unfair labor practice. This has been communicated to them multiple times. So why continue with this practice? John Dewey sees two reasons. First, the District’s lead negotiator doesn’t give a damn about rules. In fact, he cares less about rules and more about playing some kind of game with the Waukegan community. This has been clear for a long time. Second, the Union continues to abide by protocols established at the outset of negotiations. They continue to play by the rules, even when the District has changed the game. Having learned this about the union, it’s highly probable the District is exploring union solidarity and commitment, trying to find something to exploit. John Dewey’s observations of union solidarity leads us to conclude the District plays this game at their own detriment.
Separately, John Dewey will explore the district’s claim that “the checks in the mail,” and how they are attempting to move public opinion. Be sure to check back.
10/23/14 8:20 am
John Dewey Can't Resist
The Board of Education Demands No More Rhetoric. Hmmm? Why would they make such a demand? What does the Board have against rhetoric?
Rhetoric is the art of public discourse, a set of skills that aims to improve the capability of writers or speakers to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. What part of the current “rhetoric” does the Board find objectionable? Is it the part about informing the community? The public has learned much. How about persuading the community? Is that what has gotten under the Board’s thin skin? Maybe with a Board of Education meeting looming early next week, it’s the part about motivating people that is tough to contemplate.
As John Dewey seeks to gain an understanding as to what the Board finds objectionable about the use of rhetoric, we are reminded that the Ancient Greeks believed that rhetoric was valuable as a subject of formal study, as well as a productive civic practice. Democracy required rhetoric. Throughout civilization, rhetoric has played a central role in both the Western and non-Western traditions. Its best known definition comes from Aristotle, who considers it a counterpart of both logic and politics, and calls it "the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persasion.” In Aristotle’s treatise Ars Rhetorica (pronounced arse; Ῥητορική in Greek) he explores the role of rhetoric in achieving understanding through argument. From this perspective, the current labor impasse needs more rhetoric, not less. Therefore, John Dewey Demands More Rhetoric, Not Less!
So rhetoric has served a useful public purpose to inform, persuade and motivate people. What is so objectionable about those aims? Perhaps the Board’s current demand is somehow an indicator of rhetorical success. If you are demanding an end to rhetoric, then you must be losing the rhetorical battle.
Care for a peanut butter sandwich?
John Dewey Can't Resist
The Board of Education Demands No More Rhetoric. Hmmm? Why would they make such a demand? What does the Board have against rhetoric?
Rhetoric is the art of public discourse, a set of skills that aims to improve the capability of writers or speakers to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. What part of the current “rhetoric” does the Board find objectionable? Is it the part about informing the community? The public has learned much. How about persuading the community? Is that what has gotten under the Board’s thin skin? Maybe with a Board of Education meeting looming early next week, it’s the part about motivating people that is tough to contemplate.
As John Dewey seeks to gain an understanding as to what the Board finds objectionable about the use of rhetoric, we are reminded that the Ancient Greeks believed that rhetoric was valuable as a subject of formal study, as well as a productive civic practice. Democracy required rhetoric. Throughout civilization, rhetoric has played a central role in both the Western and non-Western traditions. Its best known definition comes from Aristotle, who considers it a counterpart of both logic and politics, and calls it "the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persasion.” In Aristotle’s treatise Ars Rhetorica (pronounced arse; Ῥητορική in Greek) he explores the role of rhetoric in achieving understanding through argument. From this perspective, the current labor impasse needs more rhetoric, not less. Therefore, John Dewey Demands More Rhetoric, Not Less!
So rhetoric has served a useful public purpose to inform, persuade and motivate people. What is so objectionable about those aims? Perhaps the Board’s current demand is somehow an indicator of rhetorical success. If you are demanding an end to rhetoric, then you must be losing the rhetorical battle.
Care for a peanut butter sandwich?
10/23/14 7:50 am
BREAKING NEWS!!! BOARD OF EDUCATION USES RHETORIC TO DEMAND NO MORE RHETORIC. Irony ensues.
John Dewey would like to explain more, but that would involve using rhetoric.
BREAKING NEWS!!! BOARD OF EDUCATION USES RHETORIC TO DEMAND NO MORE RHETORIC. Irony ensues.
John Dewey would like to explain more, but that would involve using rhetoric.
10/22/14
8:15
Of Doublespeak and Distortion
At 6:45 pm, Waukegan School District issued their latest press release regarding the on-going negotiation process with the Waukegan Teacher’s Council. While the day began with cautious optimism, any hope for resolution soon faded. Based on years of administrative experience, John Dewey is well position to read through the double-speak and distortions contained within District press releases. Offered as a public service is commentary indicated in read intended to cut through the double-speak and distortion and provide insight into the true message the District wishes to communicate. The District’s latest press release is contained below, in its entirety.
Negotiations Adjourn for the Evening; Union Continues To Make No Effort To Compromise; Schools To Remain Closed on Thursday, October 23, and Friday, October 24
Negotiations adjourned for the day at approximately 6 pm. Be advised, this is the only accurate statement in this missive. No progress was made as the Union put forth no proposals that showed a good faith effort to negotiate. By good faith, we mean the union is not proposing what we want. Screw them. Due to the continuing Teachers’ Union strike, there will be no school on Thursday, October 23, or Friday, October 24. Which Lincoln Center Administrators have Days 16 and 17 in the “Strike Pool”? You lose! The District’s Food Service department is federally-mandated this makes the excuse sounds official to provide fresh food and milk for our students and needs at least 48 hours to acquire sufficient stores of each. In reality, if we wanted to open schools, we could easily overcome this obstacle. But we have had nearly 200 administrators sitting around for 15 days doing nothing; no contingency planning and definitely no preparing for the re-opening of schools. “A New Day, A New Way…Student’s First” NOT!!!
For its part, the Board continues to attempt to reach a compromise on the key issues that still remain. But in reality, the Board is not participating in negotiations. For example, the Board is now offering salary increases in year one of 4.0 % and 5.75 % to teachers in Tiers 1 and 2 respectively. Let’s throw in some bits and pieces from old proposals with a vague reference to district restructuring of the entire salary schedule and pass it off to the community. They don’t know the labor history so we can easily trick them into thinking we’re legit. To put this in context, the federal government today announced that retirees across the country would see a 1.7 % increase in Social Security benefits in 2015. Throwing in some additional facts unrelated to the on-going negotiations will also make us look legit. Social Security COLAs for retirees have nothing to do with the historically low compensation Waukegan teachers have earned. The Teachers’ Union continues to ardently demand salary increases of 6 percent or more for the first two years, while offering to compromise on the salary increase in the third year. Some details that cannot be verified but makes the teachers sound greedy. The inherent lawyer word problem with that approach is the only proposal on the table is a two-year contract. Notice the slight of hand here. The District imposes its will on the negotiation process and states “Ours is the only proposal that will be considered.” Thus discussions of salary increases three years from now have no bearing on these negotiations. We like screwing over the community and want to put them through this again in two-years. A longer contract term is out of the question! Besides, Anthony Ficarelli wants to get back in Waukegan ASAP. $$$$
Furthermore, due to the untruths and personal attacks by the Union we’re getting hammered in the media, social and otherwise; let’s blame the Union for reactions we brought on ourselves, the Board has requested How could they? They haven’t been there that the mediation be conducted in separate rooms That way, we can sneak out to lunch without anyone seeing us with the mediator presenting the proposals to each party. This is a very common request in collective bargaining situations that Tony Ficarelli is party to and allows for both sides to focus on the proposals without emotions present in joint sessions We have hurt fee-fees. To paraphrase Shakespeare, “Men at $275 an hour should be made of sterner stuff.” The mediator honored the Board’s request because that is the mediator’s job and the mediator is a nice person, not because there was merit to our request and separate rooms were established. During the day, the Teachers’ Union broke mediation protocol and stormed into the Board’s room to submit a proposal. How dare they submit a proposal to us. What are they trying to do? Settle this mess? "Broke" and "Stormed"? This is beginning to sound more like Les Miserables.
The Board expects that the Union will exploit the early adjournment in the media this evening. Not possible. Mr. Ficarelli has a full monopoly on all exploitation in Waukegan. They will claim that they brought their sleeping bags and were ready to negotiate for as long as it takes. Whoever wrote this is getting paid by the word and has added some blah, blah, blah. The Board is left wondering why the Union leaders are so tired and need sleeping bags when they returned from a self-imposed five-day hiatus only yesterday. There are probably many of our students that will read this. Let’s show them just how childish we can be. And if they want to get back into the classroom as much as they claim, insult via inference why are they proposing offers that show no compromise as we define compromise and are more than triple the increases that many others in Waukegan will receive next year non sequiter? Thank goodness the Common Core State Standards place a strong focus on argument writing. This last sentence needs some real work. How can the Union claim they are committed to this community’s 17,000 students, while they prolong the strike and continuously bring forward financial demands much higher than the community’s taxpayers can afford to finance? This attack makes about as much sense as, “How can the Board President claim she cares about children when she drives around town with an unrestrained child in the front seat of an SUV while she is talking on a cell phone.” Let’s use it anyway.
The Board is committed to reaching a resolution that will return students to the classroom Please ignore the mounds of evidence that we have orchestrated this work stoppage since May of this year and has demonstrated that throughout this process all the facts notwithstanding, but requires the Union to make more reasonable demands. The two teams will meet again tomorrow at 10 a.m.
In conclusion, we have blamed everyone for the failure to reach an agreement without taking any responsibility ourselves. We have blamed teachers, the Union, the mediator, parents, students, even the milk man. Pretty good. There’s just one huge problem though. What happens when John Dewey gets hold of this?
Had John Dewey been consulted, we would have recommended a press release that read:
Waukegan School District and Union negotiators adjourned discussions at 6:00 pm this evening. While progress has been slow, we remain confident that through continued collaboration, a mutually satisfactory solution will be reached. Both sides apologize for the interruption in the education of Waukegan’s children. Would that have been too hard District?
Of Doublespeak and Distortion
At 6:45 pm, Waukegan School District issued their latest press release regarding the on-going negotiation process with the Waukegan Teacher’s Council. While the day began with cautious optimism, any hope for resolution soon faded. Based on years of administrative experience, John Dewey is well position to read through the double-speak and distortions contained within District press releases. Offered as a public service is commentary indicated in read intended to cut through the double-speak and distortion and provide insight into the true message the District wishes to communicate. The District’s latest press release is contained below, in its entirety.
Negotiations Adjourn for the Evening; Union Continues To Make No Effort To Compromise; Schools To Remain Closed on Thursday, October 23, and Friday, October 24
Negotiations adjourned for the day at approximately 6 pm. Be advised, this is the only accurate statement in this missive. No progress was made as the Union put forth no proposals that showed a good faith effort to negotiate. By good faith, we mean the union is not proposing what we want. Screw them. Due to the continuing Teachers’ Union strike, there will be no school on Thursday, October 23, or Friday, October 24. Which Lincoln Center Administrators have Days 16 and 17 in the “Strike Pool”? You lose! The District’s Food Service department is federally-mandated this makes the excuse sounds official to provide fresh food and milk for our students and needs at least 48 hours to acquire sufficient stores of each. In reality, if we wanted to open schools, we could easily overcome this obstacle. But we have had nearly 200 administrators sitting around for 15 days doing nothing; no contingency planning and definitely no preparing for the re-opening of schools. “A New Day, A New Way…Student’s First” NOT!!!
For its part, the Board continues to attempt to reach a compromise on the key issues that still remain. But in reality, the Board is not participating in negotiations. For example, the Board is now offering salary increases in year one of 4.0 % and 5.75 % to teachers in Tiers 1 and 2 respectively. Let’s throw in some bits and pieces from old proposals with a vague reference to district restructuring of the entire salary schedule and pass it off to the community. They don’t know the labor history so we can easily trick them into thinking we’re legit. To put this in context, the federal government today announced that retirees across the country would see a 1.7 % increase in Social Security benefits in 2015. Throwing in some additional facts unrelated to the on-going negotiations will also make us look legit. Social Security COLAs for retirees have nothing to do with the historically low compensation Waukegan teachers have earned. The Teachers’ Union continues to ardently demand salary increases of 6 percent or more for the first two years, while offering to compromise on the salary increase in the third year. Some details that cannot be verified but makes the teachers sound greedy. The inherent lawyer word problem with that approach is the only proposal on the table is a two-year contract. Notice the slight of hand here. The District imposes its will on the negotiation process and states “Ours is the only proposal that will be considered.” Thus discussions of salary increases three years from now have no bearing on these negotiations. We like screwing over the community and want to put them through this again in two-years. A longer contract term is out of the question! Besides, Anthony Ficarelli wants to get back in Waukegan ASAP. $$$$
Furthermore, due to the untruths and personal attacks by the Union we’re getting hammered in the media, social and otherwise; let’s blame the Union for reactions we brought on ourselves, the Board has requested How could they? They haven’t been there that the mediation be conducted in separate rooms That way, we can sneak out to lunch without anyone seeing us with the mediator presenting the proposals to each party. This is a very common request in collective bargaining situations that Tony Ficarelli is party to and allows for both sides to focus on the proposals without emotions present in joint sessions We have hurt fee-fees. To paraphrase Shakespeare, “Men at $275 an hour should be made of sterner stuff.” The mediator honored the Board’s request because that is the mediator’s job and the mediator is a nice person, not because there was merit to our request and separate rooms were established. During the day, the Teachers’ Union broke mediation protocol and stormed into the Board’s room to submit a proposal. How dare they submit a proposal to us. What are they trying to do? Settle this mess? "Broke" and "Stormed"? This is beginning to sound more like Les Miserables.
The Board expects that the Union will exploit the early adjournment in the media this evening. Not possible. Mr. Ficarelli has a full monopoly on all exploitation in Waukegan. They will claim that they brought their sleeping bags and were ready to negotiate for as long as it takes. Whoever wrote this is getting paid by the word and has added some blah, blah, blah. The Board is left wondering why the Union leaders are so tired and need sleeping bags when they returned from a self-imposed five-day hiatus only yesterday. There are probably many of our students that will read this. Let’s show them just how childish we can be. And if they want to get back into the classroom as much as they claim, insult via inference why are they proposing offers that show no compromise as we define compromise and are more than triple the increases that many others in Waukegan will receive next year non sequiter? Thank goodness the Common Core State Standards place a strong focus on argument writing. This last sentence needs some real work. How can the Union claim they are committed to this community’s 17,000 students, while they prolong the strike and continuously bring forward financial demands much higher than the community’s taxpayers can afford to finance? This attack makes about as much sense as, “How can the Board President claim she cares about children when she drives around town with an unrestrained child in the front seat of an SUV while she is talking on a cell phone.” Let’s use it anyway.
The Board is committed to reaching a resolution that will return students to the classroom Please ignore the mounds of evidence that we have orchestrated this work stoppage since May of this year and has demonstrated that throughout this process all the facts notwithstanding, but requires the Union to make more reasonable demands. The two teams will meet again tomorrow at 10 a.m.
In conclusion, we have blamed everyone for the failure to reach an agreement without taking any responsibility ourselves. We have blamed teachers, the Union, the mediator, parents, students, even the milk man. Pretty good. There’s just one huge problem though. What happens when John Dewey gets hold of this?
Had John Dewey been consulted, we would have recommended a press release that read:
Waukegan School District and Union negotiators adjourned discussions at 6:00 pm this evening. While progress has been slow, we remain confident that through continued collaboration, a mutually satisfactory solution will be reached. Both sides apologize for the interruption in the education of Waukegan’s children. Would that have been too hard District?
10/22/14 5:23
pm
Would Someone Notify the Adults That They Need to Step Up
The latest news coming out of District-Teacher negotiations does not appear to be good. The District has taken to issuing unilateral, mean-spirited press releases while negotiations are still underway. Until now, the District has waited until negotiations have concluded for the day before they issue releases blasting teachers for the district’s own failure to bargain in good faith. And Dr. Batiste says they are committed to working collaboratively. Remember what our parents taught us, Dr. B., “Actions speak louder than words.”
Truth be told, it must be difficult to be Dr. Batiste, Dr. Lamping and Anthony Ficarelli and see yourself getting pounded in the court of public opinion. Each day, community support for the teachers remains firm. Every instance that serves as a measure of community support (rallies, parent/student attendance at picket lines, prayer services, marches, social media, etc.) demonstrates that not only is community support holding, but it’s growing as well. Sure, the entire community is sick of the strike; but they are also sick of the Board of Education’s failure to display leadership.
John Dewey thinks the increased support is due entirely to the juvenile antics being played by Mr. Ficarelli. We almost used the word "childish" to describe the District’s antics, but that would have been insulting to the students of Waukegan. Board of Education, take notice and take action. Relieve Mr. Ficarelli of his repsonsibilities and demand resolution now. It is within your power.
John Dewey applauds the teachers for maintaining the high road during this difficult time.
Would Someone Notify the Adults That They Need to Step Up
The latest news coming out of District-Teacher negotiations does not appear to be good. The District has taken to issuing unilateral, mean-spirited press releases while negotiations are still underway. Until now, the District has waited until negotiations have concluded for the day before they issue releases blasting teachers for the district’s own failure to bargain in good faith. And Dr. Batiste says they are committed to working collaboratively. Remember what our parents taught us, Dr. B., “Actions speak louder than words.”
Truth be told, it must be difficult to be Dr. Batiste, Dr. Lamping and Anthony Ficarelli and see yourself getting pounded in the court of public opinion. Each day, community support for the teachers remains firm. Every instance that serves as a measure of community support (rallies, parent/student attendance at picket lines, prayer services, marches, social media, etc.) demonstrates that not only is community support holding, but it’s growing as well. Sure, the entire community is sick of the strike; but they are also sick of the Board of Education’s failure to display leadership.
John Dewey thinks the increased support is due entirely to the juvenile antics being played by Mr. Ficarelli. We almost used the word "childish" to describe the District’s antics, but that would have been insulting to the students of Waukegan. Board of Education, take notice and take action. Relieve Mr. Ficarelli of his repsonsibilities and demand resolution now. It is within your power.
John Dewey applauds the teachers for maintaining the high road during this difficult time.
10/21/14 9:00pm
As Negotiations Continue, Some Perspective
As the clock strikes 9:00 pm, John Dewey is glad to hear that negotiations are continuing. While we all await word, here is something worth considering. At the conclusion of hour number twelve, district attorney, lead negotiator and delay tactician Anthony Ficarelli will have billed the district $3,300 for his services.
Some perspective, please.
It takes a first year teacher in Waukegan School District over five weeks to make what Ficarelli will pull in for today. An 18 year veteran teacher with a Masters Degree will match Mr. Ficarelli’s one-day haul in two-weeks. Our esteemed Dr. Batiste needs to work approximately three days to earn the equivalent. Close, but he "missed it by this much."
John Dewey is not asking that teachers be paid what Mr. Ficarelli is billing the district. John Dewey is just asking that we please end the charade that this contract negotiation is about “fiscal solvency.”
Update 10/22/14 5:15 am
With negotiations concluding at the end of hour thirteen, Mr. Anthony Ficarelli will bill Waukegan District 60 for $3575.00 for one day's fees. That's about what a first year teacher makes in six weeks. That's assuming that he does not throw in additional time for "preparation work." John Dewey believes since he showed up for today's session unprepared, those fees would be too outrageous and, quite possibly, illegal.
As Negotiations Continue, Some Perspective
As the clock strikes 9:00 pm, John Dewey is glad to hear that negotiations are continuing. While we all await word, here is something worth considering. At the conclusion of hour number twelve, district attorney, lead negotiator and delay tactician Anthony Ficarelli will have billed the district $3,300 for his services.
Some perspective, please.
It takes a first year teacher in Waukegan School District over five weeks to make what Ficarelli will pull in for today. An 18 year veteran teacher with a Masters Degree will match Mr. Ficarelli’s one-day haul in two-weeks. Our esteemed Dr. Batiste needs to work approximately three days to earn the equivalent. Close, but he "missed it by this much."
John Dewey is not asking that teachers be paid what Mr. Ficarelli is billing the district. John Dewey is just asking that we please end the charade that this contract negotiation is about “fiscal solvency.”
Update 10/22/14 5:15 am
With negotiations concluding at the end of hour thirteen, Mr. Anthony Ficarelli will bill Waukegan District 60 for $3575.00 for one day's fees. That's about what a first year teacher makes in six weeks. That's assuming that he does not throw in additional time for "preparation work." John Dewey believes since he showed up for today's session unprepared, those fees would be too outrageous and, quite possibly, illegal.