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CUSD Update, April 24, 2010 (continued) Below is research to determine if the NEA document is "real." Based on the information gathered, it is. Here are several links that reference the NEA document as an existing document. Based on a web search, the Visalia Teachers Association also had it on their website but the site is now down. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1888874/posts http://www.afajournal.org/2007/nov-dec/11-1207noi.asp School “no confidence” vote latest sign of Sebastopol strife: Published: Wed., June 2, 2004, 4:58 PM PDT. School board apologizes for copy of memo sent home to parents outlining negotiating tactics. by Corey Young - Sonoma West Staff Writer SEBASTOPOL - Upset Sebastopol Union School District teachers formally presented a vote of no confidence in Superintendent Robert Haley to the school board last week, the latest sign of strife in a district plagued by drawn-out contract talks and poor communication. Meanwhile, the board apologized for sending parents copies of a memo that outlined heavy-handed negotiating tactics purportedly issued by the National Education Association, a national teachers group. Parents and teachers said the document was not issued by the NEA and is not being used by the Sebastopol Elementary Teachers Association. They said they were outraged the district used public money to circulate it. The memo, labeled "NEA strategy directives to field representatives for difficult negotiations," lists guidelines like "mislead own membership" and "nail the negotiator" for teachers to supposedly follow. The document "would have been laughable if it wasn't so insulting," said parent Steve Einstein, adding that the board should apologize for "insinuating dishonesty on the part of the teachers." "It falsely labeled and portrayed the teachers of this district, my colleagues," said teacher Bruce Robb. "Whose idea was it to use this tactic to discredit teachers, SETA, the CTA and the NEA?" The letter to parents that accompanied the district mailing on May 17, titled "Update on negotiations with the Sebastopol Elementary Teachers Association," said the supposed negotiation document "shows several parallels to current activity." It includes information on setting up telephone campaigns, passing out leaflets and organizing marches to highlight teachers' positions in contract talks. At the May 26 board meeting, board member Timothy Dimick read a statement saying the board has felt frustrated by "personal, hurtful and misguided attacks" from the teachers. It was out of that frustration that the board felt compelled to include the purported NEA document in the mailing to parents, the statement said. "We understand there were some in the community, like us, who were shocked by this document," said Dimick. "Our point in including this document was the sobering realization that many of the identified strategies have been happening in our district. "We apologize for distributing the strategy document in its entirety, rather than articulating the correlating strategies and why we are upset with them," Dimick continued. "The real question is, why can't we have an open, honest disagreement with the union over the issues without shattering relationships and denigrating the integrity of the professionals and elected leaders who are working so hard to do the right thing for students and staff?" he said. Board President Kathy Bell said the district spent $128 for the May 17 mailing. District officials obtained a copy of the document at a seminar sponsored by the Small School District Association and noticed parallels between the steps it advocated and SETA's actions during contract negotiations. "It didn't seem coincidental," she said. Sebastopol teachers have organized events and posted signs in the past year to highlight their contract dispute with the district, but denied using the strategies document, which is marked "confidential," as a guide. The teachers presented their no-confidence vote in the superintendent at the beginning of the meeting. Pine Crest teacher Greg Corby and a half-dozen of his colleagues read the letter from the teachers union expressing no confidence in Haley. "The superintendent has failed to demonstrate understanding, respect and compassion when dealing with the educational and cultural traditions of the Sebastopol Union School District," the letter read in part. "The superintendent has failed to provide responsible, collaborative leadership and decision-making in problem resolution, negotiations and long-term planning." Board members, who have praised Haley's efforts in the wake of the no-confidence vote, did so again last week. "We wish to express our full faith and confidence in Superintendent Robert Haley," said Board member Carole Hudlow in a statement she read at the meeting. Contrasting sharply with the teachers' letter, the statement praised Haley's strong leadership, collaborative style of decision-making and positive attitude "in the face of unwarranted personal attacks." "He has performed with outstanding skill and commitment to lead our school district during very difficult and contentious times," the statement said. District office employee Lisa Ensign read a letter signed by the office staff that expressed "complete confidence" in Haley and the board. The board said it was hopeful teachers would soon ratify a tentative agreement on a new contract. SETA rejected the first draft of the agreement, citing language they said required teachers to support an increased parcel tax for the district. Despite the ongoing conflict, both sides have said they hope a new agreement will be reached soon and the contract issues will be resolved. "This has been a long, trying process," the board's statement said. "In order to move forward positively, we need to seek a better way to communicate with each other. Everyone needs to tone down the rhetoric being used against each other and replace it with a genuine desire to cooperate." |
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