#772 - 05/31/08 08:15 AM
S.D.33-I'm not kidding!
[Re: Heather]
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Heather
Administrator
old hand
Registered: 07/20/07
Posts: 897
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OK, here's a story that should be in a category all of it's own called the YOU-HAVE-GOT-TO-BE-KIDDING file and it's from my very own school district, Chilliwack.
A few weeks ago there was a story in one of the papers discussing a decision made by the trustees to spend approximately $200,000. on two "temporary" positions of one year in administration. Two trustees objected stating that there were better uses for that money, like going into the classrooms and spending it on students. To be specific, those trustees were Diane Janzen and Martha Wiens. I followed that story by writing a letter to the editor saying..... and we all know what happens with "temporary" positions... They are rarely that.
This Thursday's paper now tells us the story of the hiring of the Chilliwack Teacher's Association president for one of those two positions. Her job description goes something like this: The new position is meant to enhance teacher mentoring, teacher rehabilitation and teacher support. snip
The new position was developed to improve workplace attendance. The district has a high level of teacher absenteeism due to illness, professional development, etc. MacKenzie's job will be to implement strategies that will help teachers better balance work with life.
Elizabeth MacKenzie is quoted as saying: snip..... I am going to be there to support the needs of teachers and students - that's the main purpose.
I think all union reps are programmed to add "and students" to the end of every sentence.
Now someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought all the above details of the job were what a union is supposed to do for you. Is that not one of their functions? In fact the article even says one of the reasons she was hired for this position is her experience with the BCTF rehabilitation program - aimed at providing support to help teachers on sick leave go back to work. That's a direct quote.
But instead, this school district is going to spend approximately 100 grand for this one year position because teachers here have a bad attendance record. Pretty nice gig for Elizabeth.
You just can't make this stuff up.
Edited by Heather (06/07/08 07:50 AM)
_________________________
SCIENTIA EST POTENTIA
Knowledge is power
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#778 - 06/01/08 10:17 PM
Re: S.D.33-I'm not kidding!
[Re: Heather]
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Michele M
newbie
Registered: 10/19/07
Posts: 46
Loc: Okanagan
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Why is professional development mentioned? It makes it sound like it is a bad thing that needs to be corrected. How much of the absenteeism is for Pro-D anyways?
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#788 - 06/03/08 12:30 PM
Re: S.D.33-I'm not kidding!
[Re: Heather]
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Karin Litzcke
member
Registered: 09/04/07
Posts: 187
Loc: Vancouver, BC
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Very interesting, no name on that teacher letter. But very interesting letter.
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#1087 - 09/24/08 09:06 AM
Re: Chilliwack
[Re: Heather]
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Katherine Wagner
enthusiast
Registered: 09/04/07
Posts: 253
Loc: British Columbia
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The article mentions McKay has been a trustee for 14 years. This spring BCCPAC delegates voted in favour of a motion to ask the provincial government to limit school trustee terms to nine consecutive years (3 terms).
McKay willing to run again
The Chilliwack Times, September 23, 2008
School board chair Doug McKay will be putting his name forward for another term on the board of education...
Read the rest of the article here.
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