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In New Schools
Teachers at three Chicago charter schools have ratified a labor contract with education management group Civitas—ending months of negotiations and finalizing the city's first teachers union contract for charters.
The vote was 87 to 8 in favor of ratification. The deal was signed this morning by all parties.
Highlights include:
- Salary raises that will range from 4.2 to 25.4 percent in the first year and 2.5 and 10.55 percent in the second and third years
- Additional merit pay programs in years two and three of the contract
- A new teacher evaluation system based on the Danielson model
- Joint teacher-administrator planning on curriculum and professional development
- Due process for disciplinary issues and firings, including an avenue for “binding arbitration”
- Class size caps (29 students) that require arbitration when exceeded
- New avenues for parent and community engagement will be established
- A slight increase in Civitas’ contribution to health plans (from 75 to 80 percent of the premium)
The three schools are campuses of Chicago International Charters.
In a press release, Spanish teacher and chair of the negotiations Emily Mueller said, “This contract puts students first, gives teachers a voice and a seat at the table, and makes parents and the community partners in education.”
As Chicago’s first charter union contract, the negotiations were closely watched by national labor organizations. In the same press release, Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said: “This contract is a great example of how charter schools can be incubators for innovative reforms and good labor-management practices…Civitas teachers are walking the education-reform walk by forging a new path for charter schools that value collaboration.”
Catalyst will take a closer look at the contract in the next week, but you can read our past coverage here.
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Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Approved: city's first charter school teachers union contract
Congratulations!
Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
Congratulations to everyone who put a lot of effort and time into this process.
This is not just a victory for the teachers, but for the charter movement.
Now that the teachers have a contract, did it become any less of a charter school? There is still school choice. The schools are still autonomous from the Borad of Ed.
Charter teachers who are not unionized: Look above to see what you could have at your school.
UNION YES!
This is not just a victory for the teachers, but for the charter movement.
Now that the teachers have a contract, did it become any less of a charter school? There is still school choice. The schools are still autonomous from the Borad of Ed.
Charter teachers who are not unionized: Look above to see what you could have at your school.
UNION YES!
Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Congratulations! Well done
Well done, teachers! This is wonderful news for everyone. As a CTU member, I am thrilled to know some of my brothers and sisters in the Charter schools are beginning to be protected from capricious employers. Good luck in the future, and I hope members of the CTU can be of support to you all as you go forward.
Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 1:27 PM
question re Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
are there class size caps for regular public schools in Chicago?
Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 2:16 PM
a good sign, thankfully
I taught in a Chicago International Charter school my first year of teaching, 6 years ago. They let me go after my one year with them without having given me any probationary period. The admin called me into the office one day in spring, and that was that.
Looks like they won't be able to get away with that kind of indecency again.
Way to go CICS teachers!
Looks like they won't be able to get away with that kind of indecency again.
Way to go CICS teachers!
Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 4:58 PM
So does the union now support charters?
That sounds like a really good contract. It's too bad that the teachers had to go to great lengths to secure those working conditions, though. From a management perspective all of those bullet points, union or no union, are good ideas if executed well to attract, support and retain a high quality staff.
Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
I'm super stoked at the new contract. I was shocked at the new pay scales: where did the extra money come from???? The new salaries are much more on par with other schools, but I am getting almost $8000 more. How did they find that money in the budget and where was it before? No student programs were cut, the buildings are all still standing, we still have the same budgets to buy books and stuff. It makes me suspicious where all that money was hiding before!
The only downside (IMO) is that anyone who had previous work experience has to start out at the bottom of the payscale. :( I was talking to another charter teacher this weekend and she wanted to come to the Civitas schools, but her 3 years of teaching wouldn't count so she was bummed.
It's funny because I am really anti-union for most cases, but I voted for the union and its contract. So to all the other Charter school management companies and administration: TREAT YOUR EMPLOYEES LIKE HUMANS, and they won't be backed into a corner to protect the children's education and the teachers' jobs. I've had people in my Grad classes from UNO, Noble, Aspira, and Chi-Arts ask me how we did it. The writing is on the walls, it is only a matter of time before more Charters go down the union route.
The only downside (IMO) is that anyone who had previous work experience has to start out at the bottom of the payscale. :( I was talking to another charter teacher this weekend and she wanted to come to the Civitas schools, but her 3 years of teaching wouldn't count so she was bummed.
It's funny because I am really anti-union for most cases, but I voted for the union and its contract. So to all the other Charter school management companies and administration: TREAT YOUR EMPLOYEES LIKE HUMANS, and they won't be backed into a corner to protect the children's education and the teachers' jobs. I've had people in my Grad classes from UNO, Noble, Aspira, and Chi-Arts ask me how we did it. The writing is on the walls, it is only a matter of time before more Charters go down the union route.
Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
I'm really glad you're so happy, but it's not true that anyone with previous work experience has to start out at the bottom of the scale. The contract will credit anyone up to four years of outside-Civitas teaching experience (which, I've heard, is more than the CTU contract does).
Please tell your friend that, if she started working at Civitas today, she'd be placed as a BA or MA 3 (depending on her degree).
-- A colleague
P.s.: Any fellow charter teachers in your grad classes who want to unionize their schools can start out by calling the C-ACTS office (312) 738-3010, where the same people who helped us are ready and eager to help them!
Please tell your friend that, if she started working at Civitas today, she'd be placed as a BA or MA 3 (depending on her degree).
-- A colleague
P.s.: Any fellow charter teachers in your grad classes who want to unionize their schools can start out by calling the C-ACTS office (312) 738-3010, where the same people who helped us are ready and eager to help them!
Sun Nov 1, 2009 at 8:48 AM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
The idealism mixed with grit and dedicated purpose which the teachers exhibited in negotiations with Chicago International Charters (who also are to be commended) should be noted by Chicago Teacher's Union members. It's been awhile since we've felt this kind of representation and rush of success with our own union. Good luck and continued good bargaining in your schools.
Sun Nov 1, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
are there class size caps for regular public schools in Chicago?
No, there are no class size caps for public schools in Chicago. IL state law prohibits the CTU and CPS from bargaining over class sizes. This restriction is limited to the Chicago Public Schools. (Charters are not operated by the Chicago Public Schools.)
Congrats to our new CICS union brothers and sisters!
No, there are no class size caps for public schools in Chicago. IL state law prohibits the CTU and CPS from bargaining over class sizes. This restriction is limited to the Chicago Public Schools. (Charters are not operated by the Chicago Public Schools.)
Congrats to our new CICS union brothers and sisters!
Mon Nov 2, 2009 at 4:00 PM
To WooHoo: Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
Didn't CICS Civitas lay off quite a few older teachers who made a little more than the average teacher there? Wasn't one of the executive staff let go who also made some money also laid off? Could that be where SOME of the money came from? Not that this money is all they had, but I'm sure it helped....with budget considerations....if indeed the union contract was approved....as it was....
Mon Nov 2, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
Does this mean the children at charter schools will have a shorter school day and school year and no recess? I am not excited at all as a parent. The reason we look at Charters is because they offer something different.
Try and get an extended day at a traditional school. The lSC has to jump through hoops just to get recess for kids. The principal will say that he/she has to talk to the teachers and get it approved for a lousy fifteen minutes!
Try and get an extended day at a traditional school. The lSC has to jump through hoops just to get recess for kids. The principal will say that he/she has to talk to the teachers and get it approved for a lousy fifteen minutes!
Mon Nov 2, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
anonymous1: There were no layoffs of teachers at any of the Civitas campuses. There have been quite a few changes in executive staff in the last year, but there's no evidence that the changes had anything to do with Civitas's trying to come up with money to pay the teachers.
extended day: The school day is exactly the same length, as is the academic year, and Civitas's elementary school still has the same recess policy.
If you want people to work for 15 more minutes a day, you have to pay them for it. What if your boss asked you to work an extra 15 minutes a day for no extra pay? Would you be OK with that? Most people wouldn't.
extended day: The school day is exactly the same length, as is the academic year, and Civitas's elementary school still has the same recess policy.
If you want people to work for 15 more minutes a day, you have to pay them for it. What if your boss asked you to work an extra 15 minutes a day for no extra pay? Would you be OK with that? Most people wouldn't.
Mon Nov 2, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
Extended day,
I hope you are disappointed and don't send your child to a charter school. I'd hate to deal with yet another parent who goes off half-cocked about an issue they have zero knowledge regarding. I mean, truly, have you read anything about the Charter schools in question? Charter schools have to meet certain requirements by the State. A union isn't going to somehow rewrite Illinois laws.
Recess for elementary students is critical to their emotional, mental, and physical development. However, you cannot expect a teacher to sacrifice his/her lunch to watch students on the playground. Teachers are human and have their own emotional, mental, and physical needs. A 15 minute break can be a life saver on a day where everyone is wound up from Halloween candy.
I'm sorry your child(ren)'s school does not have a recess. Again, it is critical for the needs of a child. I hate being referred to as a brother/sister to the CTU. The pure concept of the CTU makes my skin crawl. I fully support the fire and rehire turn around schools. The Chicago Teachers' Union has such a powerful grip on how schools are run that it cripples any chance of success or positive change. Every ounce of research demonstrates that children need a longer school day and year filled with quality, meaningful instruction. That means that 7 hours a day for 180 days a year is NOT cutting it. But CPS will never be able to create a school day/year that can do what it needs to do: educate.
I hope you are disappointed and don't send your child to a charter school. I'd hate to deal with yet another parent who goes off half-cocked about an issue they have zero knowledge regarding. I mean, truly, have you read anything about the Charter schools in question? Charter schools have to meet certain requirements by the State. A union isn't going to somehow rewrite Illinois laws.
Recess for elementary students is critical to their emotional, mental, and physical development. However, you cannot expect a teacher to sacrifice his/her lunch to watch students on the playground. Teachers are human and have their own emotional, mental, and physical needs. A 15 minute break can be a life saver on a day where everyone is wound up from Halloween candy.
I'm sorry your child(ren)'s school does not have a recess. Again, it is critical for the needs of a child. I hate being referred to as a brother/sister to the CTU. The pure concept of the CTU makes my skin crawl. I fully support the fire and rehire turn around schools. The Chicago Teachers' Union has such a powerful grip on how schools are run that it cripples any chance of success or positive change. Every ounce of research demonstrates that children need a longer school day and year filled with quality, meaningful instruction. That means that 7 hours a day for 180 days a year is NOT cutting it. But CPS will never be able to create a school day/year that can do what it needs to do: educate.
Mon Nov 2, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
another employee,
You believe teachers should be paid for their time and not forced to sacrifice their lunch breaks, but "the pure concept" of an organization that actually defends the very principles you espouse (i.e. the CTU) makes your skin crawl.
What's that about?
I'm happy to call myself a brother of the CTU.
You believe teachers should be paid for their time and not forced to sacrifice their lunch breaks, but "the pure concept" of an organization that actually defends the very principles you espouse (i.e. the CTU) makes your skin crawl.
What's that about?
I'm happy to call myself a brother of the CTU.
Mon Nov 2, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Someone who works there:Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
Oops I'm sorry, "layoffs" was too polite; they were fired with virtually no cause, and it just so happened that their salaries were a bit more than average. Interesting that we need 7 hours of instructional time with all the technology we have now, but 25 years ago, we did just fine with the normal school day....year. Schools are not parents.
Tue Nov 3, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
I am shocked that you think CPS can never have a longer school day due to the CTU. The problem is not the longer day, but the compensation of teachers. If they want to lengthen the school day, then teachers should be compensated for the time. Maybe if the State of Illinois did not rank 49th in school funding this would not be the issue. Maybe, that is a issue to deal with, lets not blame everything on CTU. Have you read the CTU contract with CPS, maybe not.
Tue Nov 3, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
Unions are simply bad for business. CPS should be able to say, "This is the school day. Like it or leave it." The average salary for employees last name A through B at CPS was $77,355. For the amount of money CPS forks over, ya'll could at least haul your weight in terms of educating students. Yes yes, gangs and lack of parental support will always be heavy burdens, but crap, spending time with students at least starts the ball rolling on putting these kids on the right track.
Also, what the heck is the deal with "this is how we did it in the old days"??? Guess what folks -- times change!!! We need to change with the times, or we leave the students behind. The students of Chicago NEED more time in the classroom with positive role models, support, care, and educational instruction.
I am truly saddened to hear the issues that took place at the CICS schools and I can see why they formed a union. Random firings, harassment, and policies that impacted student learning are not acceptable.
Thank goodness the turn around schools and charter schools are taking the kids away from the clutches of the CTU. THE KIDS NEED A BETTER EDUCATION. If the teachers refuse to do their job by responding to the needs of a changing world, then they need to be replaced with teachers who WILL do the job properly. As teachers, we cannot only teach the students whose parents are supportive. We must teach them all. Clocking out at 2:45 isn't the answer.
-Charter teacher
Also, what the heck is the deal with "this is how we did it in the old days"??? Guess what folks -- times change!!! We need to change with the times, or we leave the students behind. The students of Chicago NEED more time in the classroom with positive role models, support, care, and educational instruction.
I am truly saddened to hear the issues that took place at the CICS schools and I can see why they formed a union. Random firings, harassment, and policies that impacted student learning are not acceptable.
Thank goodness the turn around schools and charter schools are taking the kids away from the clutches of the CTU. THE KIDS NEED A BETTER EDUCATION. If the teachers refuse to do their job by responding to the needs of a changing world, then they need to be replaced with teachers who WILL do the job properly. As teachers, we cannot only teach the students whose parents are supportive. We must teach them all. Clocking out at 2:45 isn't the answer.
-Charter teacher
Tue Nov 3, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
How cowardly of Reverend Meeks to blame teachers, administrators and politicians (like himself) for the blood spilled. What would have been brave--but what won't happen--would have been for Reverend Meeks to point out the blood on the hands of absent fathers, of communities which glorify violence and denigrate learning, of pastors who talk the talk but don't walk the walk. All with bloodier hands, but you won't be seeing an opinion piece from the good Reverend Meeks about that. Hamilcar10 (10/29/2009, 10:15 PM)
Imagine the reaction if Senator-Rev Meeks had dared to address unwed black mothers, another huge demographic within Salem Baptist Church, and the true source of black youth violence. No politician has those kind of guts.
Imagine the reaction if Senator-Rev Meeks had dared to address unwed black mothers, another huge demographic within Salem Baptist Church, and the true source of black youth violence. No politician has those kind of guts.
Tue Nov 3, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
So unions are bad for business. Well, how could business operate without their workers? Oh that's right - get people who are afraid to open their mouths about conditions; work weekends without pay; be fired without cause and oh what does it matter - you're just teaching until you figure out what you wanna be when you grow up.
Well union may be bad for business, but you wouldn't have a five-day work week, classrooms that don't violate fire codes, sick and personal business days, and a whole host of benefits you take for granted. I hope your director continues to like you, because one day, without cause, you could be asked to leave your room at the end of the day. If you think it couldn't happen to you because you're such a good teacher think again. I'm fairly sure you do not view teaching as a profession, but just something along the way. After all, once your salary becomes too high, you will be out because highly paid teachers are bad for business, too.
Well union may be bad for business, but you wouldn't have a five-day work week, classrooms that don't violate fire codes, sick and personal business days, and a whole host of benefits you take for granted. I hope your director continues to like you, because one day, without cause, you could be asked to leave your room at the end of the day. If you think it couldn't happen to you because you're such a good teacher think again. I'm fairly sure you do not view teaching as a profession, but just something along the way. After all, once your salary becomes too high, you will be out because highly paid teachers are bad for business, too.
Wed Nov 4, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
I know many people who work an extra 15 minutes without pay .Most of the people I know dont get all the little holidays off such as Pulaski Day or Columbus and all those pesky presidents days. It would be great to have 6 or 8 weeks off for summer and make at the lowest end $55,000 day . Gee I wish my child's father could get home from work before she goes to bed but unfortunately his job is demanding and he stays to complete a project or sometimes helps out others on the job without pay.
I also go the extra mile and do many things without pay to have a better relationship with my clients. So the answer is yes I would go an extra fifteen minutes...
I also go the extra mile and do many things without pay to have a better relationship with my clients. So the answer is yes I would go an extra fifteen minutes...
Wed Nov 4, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
minimum requirements are bachelors degree and state teaching certification. for 55k
huberman is making 250k with no ed experience or degress.
that is where your money is going!
stop bashing teachers and go after the cronies stealing public funds.
huberman hired at least 50 people when he came over to cps that had and never will have any ed experience or degrees allmaking around 100k.
look at the facts not your feelings and you will see who real;ly is stealing your money.
John Kugler
kuglerjohn@comcast.net
huberman is making 250k with no ed experience or degress.
that is where your money is going!
stop bashing teachers and go after the cronies stealing public funds.
huberman hired at least 50 people when he came over to cps that had and never will have any ed experience or degrees allmaking around 100k.
look at the facts not your feelings and you will see who real;ly is stealing your money.
John Kugler
kuglerjohn@comcast.net
Wed Nov 4, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
An anonymous (and uninformed) person wrote: "I know many people who work an extra 15 minutes without pay ."
Yes. Well, I know some chumps, too. That doesn't mean I want to be one.
"Most of the people I know dont get all the little holidays off such as Pulaski Day or Columbus and all those pesky presidents days." You must not know many government workers, then, because they all get paid those holidays. And by the way, there are two of 'those pesky presidents days:' Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays.
"It would be great to have 6 or 8 weeks off for summer and make at the lowest end $55,000 day . " Darlin', nobody is making $55,000 a day. And teachers don't get paid for the summers. In CPS we work a 38.6 week (193-day) school year and are paid 2 weeks vacation. (That second week after Christmas is unpaid.) Frankly, I do like having that time off in the summer, but I am not paid for it.
"I also go the extra mile and do many things without pay to have a better relationship with my clients. So the answer is yes I would go an extra fifteen minutes..."
That is a personal choice you make. There are many teachers and school employees who sponsor clubs, extracurricular activities, music ensembles, athletics, and similar student-oriented activities for little or no compensation. Those are personal choices they make. I choose not to work extra unless I am paid for it.
Yes. Well, I know some chumps, too. That doesn't mean I want to be one.
"Most of the people I know dont get all the little holidays off such as Pulaski Day or Columbus and all those pesky presidents days." You must not know many government workers, then, because they all get paid those holidays. And by the way, there are two of 'those pesky presidents days:' Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays.
"It would be great to have 6 or 8 weeks off for summer and make at the lowest end $55,000 day . " Darlin', nobody is making $55,000 a day. And teachers don't get paid for the summers. In CPS we work a 38.6 week (193-day) school year and are paid 2 weeks vacation. (That second week after Christmas is unpaid.) Frankly, I do like having that time off in the summer, but I am not paid for it.
"I also go the extra mile and do many things without pay to have a better relationship with my clients. So the answer is yes I would go an extra fifteen minutes..."
That is a personal choice you make. There are many teachers and school employees who sponsor clubs, extracurricular activities, music ensembles, athletics, and similar student-oriented activities for little or no compensation. Those are personal choices they make. I choose not to work extra unless I am paid for it.
Thu Nov 5, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
A teacher at our school was making over 100K and has since moved on to make more money at another school. Not bad for 38.6 weeks. I think everyone knows DAY was a typo! I meant to say year!
Mr. Kugler I am well aware of the top heavy salaries of Huberman and the board. I have raised my voice about that too.
Mr. Kugler I am well aware of the top heavy salaries of Huberman and the board. I have raised my voice about that too.
Thu Nov 5, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
Yes, I am a CTU member and I regularly work more than my paid day. I grade papers, write IEPs, meet with parents and other teachers, plan for lessons, buy materials (with my own money) and all of this occurs outside the school day. With the short school day, I still managed to move the majority of my students with disabilities up a quartile on the past ISAT. If the actual day is longer, I am all for it but I expect to be compensated. I do enough for free.
Thu Nov 5, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Approved: Chicago's first charter school teachers union contract
I totally agree. Not only do teachers give up their personal time for job related activities with no compensation, we also get paid less than others with four year degrees. I knew I would not get rich as a teacher, but I am always astonished at the fact that people blame us for everything, expect us to babysit their children, not just teach them, and then they disrespect our expertise in educational areas. I have been called names by parents, told I should work for the summer because child care is too expensive, and my all time favorite, "I pay your salary, you should do as I say". Well if I should do you as you say, then you must have an education degree, right. Give me a break. As if dealing with all of that is not enough, I have been assaulted by students, robbed at knifepoint, and was once threatened by a student that they would push me down the stairs and kill my unborn child. I have to constantly take more classes to update my certification , paid for by me, not my employer. All of this and more for the 55,000 I made last year.
So give me a break if I think my time is worth compensating. Not only do I think I am worth it, our kids are. The value we place on teachers speaks volumes to how we actually feel about education and children in this country.
So give me a break if I think my time is worth compensating. Not only do I think I am worth it, our kids are. The value we place on teachers speaks volumes to how we actually feel about education and children in this country.
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