CTU expects hearing on temporary restraining order this week
Two weeks after the Chicago Teachers Union filed a federal lawsuit charging that the huge firings and layoffs of tenured teachers were violations of the teachers' constitutional and contractual rights, the union is requesting a hearing in federal court because the Huberman administration has, if anything, increased the number of veteran teachers begin dropped from their jobs as August continues. On August 14, following a week of reports that veteran teachers across Chicago were being told they did not have positions in September, the CTU issued the following press release:
CTU Files Request for Preliminary Injunction to Return Tenured Teachers to Classroom. Requests 8/18/2010 Hearing
The Chicago Teachers Union filed a request for a preliminary injunction to stop and reverse the dismissal of tenured teachers. The Chicago Board of Education has summarily dismissed these teachers without cause and without allowing any opportunity to be considered for retention or reassignment in positions held or being filled by non-tenured teachers. CTU filed the request on 8/13/2010.
According to CTU President Karen Lewis, “The CTU must explore every avenue to ensure our students have a highly qualified, experienced teacher in front of them on day one. Class sizes must be controlled so that students have the opportunity to receive the individualized attention they need to excel.”
This week CPS was granted $100 million from the federal government to stop teacher layoffs. Lewis stated that this legal move was still needed because “in Chicago, the devil is in the details. CPS must suspend its dismissals and begin the process of restoring respect for teachers, students and parents, and for the district as a whole. By firing over 800 teachers and support personnel without due process, the future of Chicago’s school system is at risk because the word is out. If you are a career educator, if you want to devote your life to educating children and perfecting your craft, you may not be valued by Chicago Public Schools. It is no wonder that experienced, qualified teachers leave Chicago public schools to find a school district that respects and values career educators.”
