Third DPS school hit by teacher 'sickout'

By Nancy Mitchell, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Friday, May 30, 2008

A third Denver school was hit by a teacher "sickout" this week and district leaders are mulling penalties for those participating in the apparent protests over stalled contract talks.

At the Denver Center for International Studies on Thursday, 21 of the 30 teachers called in sick on what was the last day of the school year for students.

Principal Dan Lutz did not return calls seeking comment. A staff member said not enough substitutes were found to cover all classes but that it did not disrupt the short day, which ended at 10:30 a.m.

Today is the last day of school for most teachers in Denver Public Schools.

The "sickout" at DCIS, located in central Denver, follows similar actions Tuesday at Academia Ana Marie Sandoval in northwest Denver and at McGlone Elementary in northeast Denver.

DPS board members met in a special closed session Thursday evening to talk about their strategy for negotiations. Contentious talks between the district and the union are common but "sickouts" are not.

The teachers - 21 at DCIS, 18 at Sandoval and 12 at McGlone - could be docked a day's pay or face other action if it's determined they abused the district's sick-leave policy.

Kim Ursetta, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, said the union is not encouraging groups of teachers to call in sick.

"Sickouts" have not been reported in Denver since at least 1994, when teachers went on strike for five days.

But a group calling themselves "denvernewteachers08" has created a Web site and blog that has fielded numerous postings critical of how the union is handling contract talks.

"Perhaps it's time for change in DCTA leadership," suggests a milder posting.

Ursetta said the union strategy is based on school visits and a survey of two-thirds of its members.

"We've been getting very positive feedback," she said.

The two sides are scheduled to return to the bargaining table Tuesday, their first meeting since talks stalled May 16.

ProComp, the performance pay plan for teachers that Denver voters agreed to fund with a $25 million tax hike, is at the center of the dispute.

Less than a third of that money is now going to teachers. DPS wants to funnel more money into teachers' early career years and into incentives. The union wants to ensure all teachers receive raises.

• May 30, 2008

  6:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BikerChick writes:

  ..
  Our children are learning about anarchy from experts.

  This is a perfect opportunity to follow the example of the lesson-learned by U S air traffic controllers.

  What if the majority of the electorate is fed up with the antics ?

  SUMMARILY FIRE THE RECALCITRANT TEACHERS.

  Money talks. Imagine union-free excellence. In the year 2028, each and every student will use a voucher to vote for their favorite high-quality school. What are we waiting for ?
  ..

• May 30, 2008

  6:55 a.m.

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  LOUIE writes:

  Hey, I understand skippin' out on the last few days of school; I understand the passing of another year of the grind. Damn your union peers even hold you in high regard for taking a hit for the team. Problem is, your product suffers most; eventually people lose faith in your commitment to excellence. Kids are America's future, should we really place them in your hands is my most sincerest question? Quality of your product was your job security. Please reconsider those who truly looked up to and beieved in you above all else, your pupils. Secondly, some of us truly are looking to a fresh approach to an archaic problem, lack of respect in those who do produce in the complex world of global intellect and education. America is being passed by in many areas of education, we need to do better. Is it money or knowledge, or is money for knowledge; which benifits America the greatest with the best product in a competitive world of advancement. I belive intellect, character, and obligation exceed the value of money and will benifit us all to a greater capacity. Education should be free to all Americans, the better educated, the better to compete in the global arena.

• May 30, 2008

  6:58 a.m.

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  LOUIE writes:

  "BELIEVE",... sorry for trying your patience with my many errors on this informal blog.

• May 30, 2008

  7:05 a.m.

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  vudumom writes:

  The teachers call in sick to protest their contract negotiations in the last week of school when there is nothing going on anyway.Once again we see the ineffectiveness of teachers.

  I thought the taxpayers voted for a tax hike to fund procomp pay for teachers. That money is supposed to go to reward outstanding teachers not pay raises across the board. Once again you see taxpayer funds set up and not used for what it was intended for by the voters. The story says less than 1/3 of the money is going to teachers. Either the administration is mismanaging the money or they can't find as many teachers as they thought that would qualify. That money was voted on to give great teachers a bonus. I don't think the voters intended it to go to anything else. If they can't use the money for what what voted on they should stop the program and figure out a way to refund or put the money somewhere else that will help taxpayers.

• May 30, 2008

  7:20 a.m.

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  ptorres writes:

  . Your drop out rate has not changed since 1962 ask Dr. Brown.
  I understand the teachers need for more money to pay the price of gas at almost $4.00, but they need to be held accountable to the high drop out rates in the Denver public schools. Stop being cry babies and start apply your teaching skills so maybe we can measure your performance results based on students that get an education that can read and write at eighth grade level. Your drop out rate has not changed since 1962 ask Dr. Brown I did.

• May 30, 2008

  8:26 a.m.

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  MeAgain writes:

  Only 1/3 of the $$$ is being used for ProComp, the rest is sitting in a bank account waiting for more teachers to become a part of ProComp, not being spent on other things. Research and think before opening the mouth.
  I agree that these "sickouts" were done in poor taste however only about 1/2 of the students actually show for those last days anymore. Parents dont make their kids go for that week or so anyway. Way to give that 95% there! (sarcasm)
  As for the students test scores and everything else that we (the teachers) get the blame for, here are the facts. We teach because we love watching kids grow and learn. We could teach monkeys if they could do these 3 things.
  1. Show up to school 5 days a week. I have students who have missed over 1/3 of the school year.
  2. Listen and do not be disruptive to the other kids trying to learn.
  3. Be respectful and have use your manners.
  When our classes are once again populated with well mannered kids who know how to listen, our test scores will go up. You will see those results once you stop pointing fingers at the teachers. Your kids have enough friends. Try being a parent.

• May 30, 2008

  8:26 a.m.

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  jacka writes:

  UFCW Local 7, gets you the "facts". 50% of unionized workers would leave the Union if they could keep their jobs & had the Right-to-Work.

  Copy/paste the link below to go to the Union playbook that confirms 50% of their members want out and if Unions can't protect compulsory unionization they stand ready to attack Colorado's economy.

  http://www.freeuploadshare.com/DOWNLO...

  DPS sickouts = union tactics to destroy public education and economic liberty. Big Unions = against social justice and worker freedom.

• May 30, 2008

  8:36 a.m.

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  mmm58 writes:

  Before critizing DPS teachers, perhaps we should question what do they know that we don't? What about the other union groups in DPS? Are they getting a fair deal? Where exactly are the big bucks going? Perhaps to a new layer of management in DPS that are highly paid, yet not accountable? I think $150,000 for an assistant in adminstration is ridiculous. It's easy to say that education should be free, but the finest of everything is at 900 Grant and the teachers in school are counting out sheets of paper for their students. Why does everyone assume that district administration is right? Do they really care about kids? How much time have they spent devoting their time in classrooms? How much actual experience do they have in public education? I'm not talking about political ambitions, I'm talking about kids! People in classrooms and schools are usually there because it of their devotion to making a difference in a student(s) lives. They all know that education will never pay as much as it should. They take their payment in watching their students grow and learn!

• May 30, 2008

  9:14 a.m.

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  vudumom writes:

  MeAgain, Read a post before opening your mouth. The story above said , DPS wants to " funnel " more money into teachers' early carrer years and incentives. The union wants to insure all teachers get raises. The issue here is what to do with the money in the account that the taxpayers voted for to go to teacher bonuses, NOT raises or base salaries for new teacher hires. That is the issue. Taxpayers DID NOT approve the money for anything other than BONUSES for the GOOD teachers.If the RMN stories are true, it looks like DPS and the union are going to once again take money voted on by the taxpayers for one thing and divert , ( funnel ) it to something the taxpayers did not vote for. That is the issue.

  The teachers do deserve more money. I wholeheartedly agree with that. I do not agree with diverting funds that was voted on by the taxpayers for one specific thing and now changing the plan to something else.The administrations have been doing this bait and switch for too long. The poor upper management of money by school administrations is the direct cause of our failing school systems in our state and even around the country.
  The crumbling of the school system started from the top down.

• May 30, 2008

  11:06 a.m.

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  TheDenverB writes:

  ... yeah, we should just fire all of these whiners and farm out the education of our children to the lowest bidder and the least likely to complain.

  that's exactly who i want teaching my child.

• May 30, 2008

  11:14 a.m.

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  Konyok writes:

  MeAgain,

  From the perspective of a mere taxpayer, it really is hard to tell the difference between DPS admin and the teachers. You look to us like the same crew.
  It is undeniable that NEA, CEA and the Denver Classroom Teachers are major political players. In Denver they are the most influential single special interest. Without their support no candidate has a chance.
  Your point about parental responsibility is well taken. I suppose that apathy at home is the biggest problem that educators face, along with a malignant pop culture. However, I don't recall ever seeing a PSA from the teachers' unions urging parents to take their kids' education seriously.
  Negotiating salaries, benefits and working conditions for its members is the core function of a union, nobody can argue with that. But, when your collective bargaining unit constantly injects itself into partisan politics it is really, really hard for a lot of us to feel any sympathy for you.

• May 30, 2008

  12:54 p.m.

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  MeAgain writes:

  Teachers, Principals, Custodians, Cooks, etc...
  We are fully aware how we all look the same from outside of the building. Parents see the entire system through a window that is the exact size and shape as their child. It takes ALOT to get around that.
  In reality, you wouldn't recognize us anyway because we are the behind the scenes people getting the work done. While the suits are out making public appearances and then going to social hour, the rest of us are busy writing lesson plans, correcting tests, grading papers, calling parents, writing curriculum, and getting all the blame. "Summers off" is bologna. We spend our summers getting things ready for next year, writing lessons, and taking college classes to keep our degrees. We dont do it 40 hours a week during the summer but then again, we spend the school year working 50-80 hour weeks and some saturdays. It is not an easy job by any means.
  As far as $$, Teachers, Police, & Fireman should get all the money they need. You can pay for the schools now or the prisons later. That is a promise.

• May 30, 2008

  1:23 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  JTJ writes:

  So how is it possible that EVERY election cycle, the schools get more money from the voters, and EVERY election cycle, they beg for more. The PERA retirement plan is so far beyond generous, it's almost insane. And when the parents complain about lack of progress, the teachers blame the parents. How convenient. DenverB's sarcasm is a perfect example of how the union thinks of the folks paying their wages - we're idiots to them.

• May 30, 2008

  1:24 p.m.

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  happymike44 writes:

  Well lets see the parent come to school and complain little johnny can't read and write so well.The teachers ask mommy why he is not doing his homework.She replies he is busy playing video games.Besides it is your job to get hime to read.So now get the picture some drunken trogladyte who is to busy with the latest issue of fat chicks magazine.To be bothered with teaching their child how to read and write,Then complain when the teachercan't get them to do it either.

• May 30, 2008

  1:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  DeimosJB writes:

  Yay home school. It's cheaper, it's more convenient, more schedule friendly, your child learns more, your child gets to explore topics of interest/specialized curriculum, gets more individualized attention, and if you have a problem with the teacher, all you have to do is look in the mirror.

• May 30, 2008

  1:37 p.m.

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  tchoupitoulas writes:

  I understand that the teachers would appreciate to be paid more for their efforts, but I simply cannot agree with the tactics. It appears that the teachers (and the union) are more interested in money, not helping students perform, or preparing them for college, or making our kids competitive in a global economy.

  It is a known fact that you do not enter the teaching profession if you want to be rich. That has been true from the beginning of time and will continue to be the case. If money is the most important thing to the teachers or the union, they need to take their chalk and write "I made a horrible vocational choice" 100 times on the blackboard.

  If the teachers are unhappy with their earning potential, they can do one of two things: first, they can pursue their Masters or Doctoral degrees and increase their earning potential. Or, simply find another line of work that will not harm countless young people with a half-hearted efforts at 'education'.

  If the teacheres can't make a sincere and focused effort to teach for a school district that they willingly sought employment with, they need to move on and let others who want to positively impact the lives of these students take over.

• May 30, 2008

  2:21 p.m.

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  Konyok writes:

  MeAgain,

  You just about had me sold until the bit about prisons or schools. Just a little facile, dontcha think?

  It isn't just public myopia that creates the perspective that teachers and administrators are the same bunch. I'm sure that from the inside those distinctions are very stark, but collectively they present to the public the face of authority, an authority that is perceived as failing.
  It sounds like teachers have some real grievances, but, it sounds more like they are disappointed that their political bedfellows aren't honoring "the deal."

  My suggestion? Reform the DCTA, become an honest to goodness professional organization that communicates with the public, sets standards, and, yes, advocates the interests of its membership, but avoids partisan politics. You'd get a lot more respect and sympathy.

• May 30, 2008

  2:35 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  rickg19611 writes:

  "The Manhattan Institute for Public Research has compiled the salaries of teachers directly from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' annual National Compensation Survey.

  Nationally, public school teachers earned a mean salary of $34.06 an hour in 2005 - a respectable income that is 36 percent higher than the national hourly wage of the average white-collar worker and 11 percent higher than the average "professional specialty or technical worker" salary. "

  Teachers work 40-50 hours a week for 36 weeks a year.
  Taxpayers work 50+ hours a week for 52 weeks a year.
  
  Teachers made $34.06 per hour in 2005 (which is even more now).
  Taxpayers made $25.04 per hour.

  And now teachers are demanding that taxpayers cough up even more money so the gap between average taxpayers and overpaid teachers gets worse.... and while teachers are taking even more time off and refusing to show up on school days?

  Only idiots would defend such actions by teachers.

• May 30, 2008

  3:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Maceo writes:

  As a parent in the Sandoval community, I feel compelled to point out that there’s a pattern here. The only schools that can muster a sick out, Sandoval and the Center for International Studies, are the schools where DCTA president Kim Ursetta sends her children. Even a week before the “faculty” played hooky at their students’ expense, Ursetta was telling people in the Sandoval community that DCTA was not responsible for any action at her kids school. Hmm…

  It is time for DCTA to stop fiddling around with unwarranted protest. There is $54 million on the table. A decent union would know that now is the time to bargain, not hint to parents at your kids school that bad things will happen and that you are not responsible for them.

  The professional teachers in Denver deserve better representation. When will someone challenge her?

• May 31, 2008

  8:58 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  WeloveDenverkids writes:

  Maceo,
  I find it offensive that you stoop so low as to identify and target children of the DCTA President and where they go to school. Many of our elected leaders in this city send their children to school and it is wrong to provide this information especially in such a context. I think the teachers themselves are responsible for their actions be they justifiable or not in your mind. No one MADE these teachers do anything. Furthermore to identify the DCTA President's children in any way including the schools they attend is completely wrong.