tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post7403828930939633957..comments2023-06-05T03:35:27.537-05:00Comments on Monona Doug: Petition for Music Excellence at MG SchoolsDoug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-73102050926280816842010-04-28T14:41:07.444-05:002010-04-28T14:41:07.444-05:00As one of the authors of the petition, I'm hap...As one of the authors of the petition, I'm happy to speak to its intent. While the board is certainly bound by the terms of its contract with the teacher's union, the contract does allow consideration not only of seniority, but also of ''training, experience and certification'' as it relates to available positions.<br /><br />Full text of this portion of the contract is available on Peter Sobol's blog:<br />http://petersobol.blogspot.com/2010/04/lay-off-notices.html<br /><br />We encourage the board and district leadership to emphasize training, experience, and certification, particularly as it relates to such specialized areas of study as strings, band, and chorus. Student success in strings, for example, really requires teachers with direct experience and qualifications in strings. The same is true for band or choir.<br /><br />In our discussions with the School Board, we've heard that several just assume they have no discretion or standing beyond seniority. But the contract suggests they do have such discretion and authority. Our children are worth the effort.<br /><br />The union may file a grievance in response to such a decision, which is their right under the contract. But let's not abandon the goal of qualified and experienced teachers appropriate to the curriculum before we even start.Andrew Taylorhttp://www.ipetitions.com/petition/mgmusic/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-13555615549821636772010-04-28T10:45:20.320-05:002010-04-28T10:45:20.320-05:00The teacher's contract is far more constrained...The teacher's contract is far more constrained than one might imagine. Seniority reigns supreme within licensing requirements. I do not believe the board has the latitude the petition hopes for, but we shall see...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-43764237753062685022010-04-27T23:01:17.667-05:002010-04-27T23:01:17.667-05:00Q: "I honestly don't get the point of thi...Q: "I honestly don't get the point of this petition."<br /><br />I think you're reading too much into it. As I read it the petition is saying that music matters and esp. 4th and 5th grade strings. It says to select qualified teachers. I think the Board could aspire to those goals within the confines of the contract. I don't know how seniority works in schools and across departments.<br /><br />The heart of the petition states:<br /><br />"The undersigned therefore request:<br /><br />that Monona Grove School District retains its commitment to fourth- and fifth-grade strings as a foundation for our district-wide music programs;<br /><br />and that staffing selection and assignments give priority to qualified and experienced teachers in the specialized disciplines of strings, band, and choir. <br /><br />We know these are challenging financial times for the district. And we commit to working with the district board, administration, teachers, and staff to navigate these difficult choices."Doug Woodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-30185734549192240872010-04-27T20:21:15.989-05:002010-04-27T20:21:15.989-05:00I honestly don't get the point of this petitio...I honestly don't get the point of this petition. Isn't the school board bound by the contract? I thought layoffs are in strict order of seniority, based on the State of Wisconsin license. Are they asking the board to somehow ignore the contract with the union? I really don't think they can layoff off a more senior teacher if that teacher is licensed to teach something that a less senior teacher is teaching, can they?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-73039157967783568042010-04-27T15:18:49.470-05:002010-04-27T15:18:49.470-05:00Thanks Doug!
Glad you appreciated the effort to m...Thanks Doug!<br /><br />Glad you appreciated the effort to make the petition focused, positive, and productive. I hope people add their names, and contact school board members to reinforce the point.Andrew Taylorhttp://www.artsjournal.com/artfulmanagernoreply@blogger.com