Bellville, ILLINOIS

"Unfortunately, at this time of the year, the kids are the bargaining chip," the mother said. "And the victims."

Nov 26, 2007 - The teachers, social workers, assistants, aides, psychologists, speech therapists and secretaries from the Belleville Area Special Services Cooperative are planning to strike.

The cooperative works directly with students with a variety of disabilities, from autism to emotional disorders to developmental disabilities. It also provides other school districts with support services, such as psychological evaluations, speech therapy, counseling and testing for vision and hearing impairments.

From their web site: They also provide requested related services to our districts. Services could include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work, audiology, music therapy, transportation or orientation and mobility training.

The Pathways School is a day program for students with severe behavioral/emotional disorders.

TT - Special education students are particularly vulnerable to disruptions in learning and in their daily schedules. Every child deserves uninterrupted education and services. But the real source of the problem is legislators who will not impose the same no-strike restrictions that are in place for firemen and police. Those campaign contributions ensure that.

Hopedale, OHIO

Oct 4 - Students in the Harrison Hills School District are getting an education in thug tactics as the teachers strike enters the third day.

At Hopedale Elementary, teachers walked in circles, sometimes dancing, for two minutes before allowing a van to leave the parking lot. Then they immediately crowded back onto the driveway to walk for another two minutes before allowing a second van to pass. [Cute, huh?]

“We teach our kids to take turns,” teacher Judy Burriss shouted.

Under the new court agreement, the union will not be permitted to hinder the coming or going of people or vehicles from school property, according to a press release from the school board. For example, union members will not be allowed to surround vehicles as they enter or exit at a building.

“The schools have had many incidents in which striking teachers and the union leadership physically blocked the arrival of students, parents and substitute teachers, often intimidating them,” Superintendent Jim Drexler stated in the release.

TT - Honestly, would you allow your children to be taught by people like this?

Dec 13 - Harrison Hills school Superintendent Jim Drexler was indicted by a Harrison County Grand Jury. According to investigators Drexler is charged with obstructing official business. We're told that charge stems from the recent strike in the school district.

Specific details about the incident aren't being released until Drexler is arraigned.

Cahokia, ILLINOIS

Sept 20, 2007 - Teachers continue their strike for the fourth day in Cahokia.

Teacher salaries range from $36,102 to $66,173, without benefits. The average salary is about $57,000.

The school has a $49 million operating budget and is $5.3 million in debt.

The strike has put roughly 4,300 students out of school. The union includes about 300 teachers and 200 service members.

School officials are struggling to pay off a $5.3 million debt, based largely on problems caused in previous contracts.

---

TT - What the teachers deserve for their accomplishment is another matter.

From GreatSchools.net
Of the 9 elementary schools, none rates above a 6.
Most are 3 and below.
Of the middle schools, only the charter school rates a 4.
The public school is rated a 2.
Of the high schools, only the charter school rates a 4.
The public h.s. is rated a 2.
One parent began her rating with, "Please Help."

Cahokia High School State score
Reading 11th grade = 34% meeting standards.
Statewide = 58%
State score Math 11th grade = 11% meeting standards.
Statewide = 54%
Average class size = 16 State avg = 20

From School Matters, a service of Standard & Poors
Cahokia High School State reading and math test performance
Cahokia Community Unit School District 187 overview
Community Household Income Distribution 46.4% make less than $49,999

WASHINGTON

August 30, 2007 - Teachers in the Bethel School District are on strike. District website.

The announcement puts a halt to tomorrow's start of the school year for about 17,500 students and 1,000 teachers.

TT- you might remember the Bethel School District hired Jennifer Leigh Rice, the 37-year-old teacher arrested for kidnapping and having sex with a 10-year-old boy.

The school districts' actions were questioned in an article in the Tribune News. We called it irresponsible.

Burrillville, RHODE ISLAND

Teaching the rule of law to students.

August 29, 2007 -The Burrillville School Committee has gone to court to end an illegal strike by teachers.

The teachers are dissatisfied with contract proposals that, according to a union official, offer too little money and try to change their roles. They also disagreed with proposals to increase limits on class size.

The union membership, numbering 203 teachers, voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike should their union leaders deem it necessary. It is illegal for public school teachers to strike in Rhode Island.

A a lawyer for the School Committee cited the town’s limited ability “to meet union financial requests” as an issue in the contract negotiations. The NEA says the system wants to change the role of teachers from professionals to staffers who take direction. :/

Copy of injunction request. PDF