CTU responds to Board offer of ‘longer school day’ incentives to privately operated charter schools
CHICAGO – The Chicago Teachers Union issued the following statement upon announcement of the Board of Education’s plan to offer $5 million to 32 charter schools that implement a “longer school day” this year. The Illinois Education Labor Relations Board found that the way Chicago Public Schools (CPS) went about implementing extended hours in 13 schools this year was illegal and violated Illinois labor law. That is why last week it voted unanimously to seek injunctive relief.
“The longer school day is a political slogan not an education plan. The Chicago Teachers Union has called for a better school day, one that includes a comprehensive, rich curriculum that includes art, music, physical education, science, world languages and civics; where students learn in safe, nurturing environments that include small class sizes, libraries, cafeterias, air-conditioning, heating, technology and with qualified teachers and the appropriate support staff.
“Our neighborhood schools are in desperate need of resources and principals and teachers should not have to be bribed by CPS into implementing its latest “school reform” fad by dangling much-needed cash in front of them. Give all of our schools and students the resources they need to have a “world-class education.”
“The Chicago Teachers Union also believes people who are asked to work more hours should be compensated—not given one-time stipends rather than earned wages. Unlike CTU members, employees at most privately held charter schools are at-will employees who are not protected by collective bargaining agreements.
“We are also concerned that the Board has suddenly found millions of dollars to promote its “longer school day” campaign when it cannot find the money needed to add libraries to the 160 elementary schools without them or to retain teachers, who have been unjustly laid off because of so-called budget deficits. “
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The Chicago Teachers Union represents nearly 30,000 teachers and educational support personnel working in the Chicago Public Schools and, by extension, the students and families they serve. CTU, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers and the Illinois Federation of Teachers, is the third largest teachers local in the country and the largest local union in Illinois. For more information visit CTU’s website at www.ctunet.com.
