Dear CUEA,
1. I am proud to stand with parents like Laura and others
who have fought for children in CUSD at great risk to our own children. We have
become accidental advocates for parents, students and the great teachers who
work beyond the limitations of their union contract.
2. It was not the board who brought on the teachers' strike
of 09-10, it was CUEA and the teachers who made the choice to vote for and walk
the picket lines instead of being in the classroom with their students. This
was done in the name of more money for teachers at the cost of increased class
sizes, reduction in programs, and the loss of beloved newer teachers who were
not tenured.
3. The "local politicians" are not back...we have
never left. We continue to not only be outspoken, but question what is
happening in CUSD with our tax dollars and the quality of education. We are not
ashamed to stand up for improved education for ALL students in CUSD, including
public school choice options that charters bring and true open enrollment
within CUSD.
4. We do not, in any way, oppose public education, as you
wrongfully state. We wholeheartedly support public education and expect the
leaders and district admin to do all they can and uphold the value of
high-quality public education for ALL students in CUSD, regardless of ability
and socioeconomic status. Further, we believe if there is going to be a bond in
CUSD, then it must be very transparent and clear to all taxpayers what will be
done, how and when. Do you really think that is asking too much? Really? Yes.
We supported Rebecca Friedrichs in her historic case against CTA because all
she wanted was for teachers to have a choice in joining their union instead of
being forced to pay dues. Clearly, the unions seem to support forced dues.
Also, I'm sure you know I spoke on the steps of the Supreme Court in support of
Rebecca. It was a very proud moment for me, which I will never forget. I can
forward you the link to my speech, if you'd like.
5. We are election-weary too. We continue our fight against
special interest groups that focus only teachers and maintaining business as
usual education, like CUEA, H.O.P.E. and Children First. We run for office
knowing we will never have the same funding as you, we will have to battle the
ridiculous whisper campaigns wrongfully stating we will turn most schools into
charters (so NOT true), teachers who stand by their union and call us evil to parents
while passing out flyers in front of the school, people in PTA meetings
"forgetting" to mention candidates who are not supported by CUEA,
signs are not only stolen from public street corners but from front lawns, and
some of our own children become the easiest mode of retaliation. Yet, we still
speak up, we still run for office, and our children continue to bravely
encourage us to do so because "their friends need help and a quality
education."
And while I have your attention, CUEA, parents of CUSD would
like the following:
1. Return our kids' tests back to our children so we can
review it or have a tutor review it. We know there is no board policy on this,
and teachers do not have a right to withhold this vital information in the name
of recycled tests.
2. Adjust your union
contract to allow teachers to be available before and after school to help
their students as needed. This will greatly benefit the working parents and
truly is in the best interest of students, especially those in high school.
3. Do not support the
district policy that CUSD students can graduate with a D average. We can and
should do better for our kids, with your help on this.
4. Please support an
open door policy for parents so they can meet with their teachers past school
hours. This will help allow parents to truly partner with their child's
teacher.
5. Did I mention that
parents would like their kids' chapter tests and quizzes back? Seriously. We
want them back.
6. Please allow
tenured teachers to be evaluated more than every five years. I know the
trustees you support past and present all voted for this ridiculous policy.
There is no other profession that I know of that evaluates employees every five
years.
I hope this has provided you some clarity on your stance
against those of us parents or "local politicians" as you worded it.
We will not stop or apologize for caring about the quality of education for
students and the need for true transparency in CUSD.
Sincerely,
Julie Collier
PS. I know we all make spelling errors
sometimes, but make sure you are spelling "public" correctly. I'm
sure you didn't mean that Freudian slip in the third paragraph.
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FROM
CUEA NEWSLETTER DATED AUGUST 26, 2016
CUEA
ENDORSES HANACEK, PRITCHARD AND HOLLOWAY
CUEA, by unanimous vote of
Representative Council, has endorsed candidate, Patricia Holloway,
for Trustee Area 3 in San Clemente. Patricia is a well-respected, long-term
resident, city planner, community volunteer, who will represent ALL of San
Clemente. The former PTA President of Las Palmas Elementary, she is
pro-public education and the proud parent of a graduate of Las Palmas Dual
Immersion, BAMS and SCHS. She has been recently honored by the San Clemente
City Council for her community service and also received a commendation by
State Senator Pat Bates.
Last spring, the Rep
Council endorsed both Board President, Amy
Hanacek (Area 1), and Trustee, Gary Pritchard (Area
5), who have brought stability to the School Board, and have demonstrated a
willingness to make decisions based on convictions and what is best for all
students in CUSD, rather than being swayed by political expedience. Check out
and “like” the Capistrano Unified Education Association Facebook page or our
website at www.cuea.org for more information.
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WHAT’S
AT STAKE IN THIS TRUSTEE ELECTION?
Most of us remember the
School Board that brought us the days of the strike of 2009-10 and the
recall! Names like Winston and Lopez-Maddox remind us of a board beholden to
local politicians rather than concerned about the state of our schools and
the education of our students.
Well, those same local
politicians are BACK
and endorsing their slate of opposition candidates. They are united in their
desire to shut down Measure M, which will bring the urgently-needed improvements
and repairs to our aging facilities [more on this in the next issue - anyone
having trouble with air conditioning?]. These are the same local politicians
who want to bring more charter schools to CUSD and who supported Rebecca
Friedrichs in her fight to bring down teachers’ unions.
If
you are election-weary, we understand it! We have been fighting off the
onslaught of opposition to public education for years. However, now is not
the time for apathy! The opposition is united and prepared for battle.
When your Building Rep asks you to phone bank or walk precincts, say, “YES!”
The pubic trusts their teachers. They need to hear from you! We have shown
our strength when united in the last several elections. We need this win!
Let’s do it together!
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