Currently Browsing: Opinions
Gilbert’s IBBT effectively ignores law, benefits themselves while forgetting teachers
The Gilbert District and Gilbert’s “Interest Based Bargaining Team” made the executive decision to ignore new legislation, passed in November 2009 banning the use of the seniority policy to determine which teachers are let go due to budget cuts.
Written by Varun Bajaj - Staff Writer
The Gilbert District and Gilbert’s “Interest Based Bargaining Team” made the executive decision to ignore new legislation, passed in November 2009 banning the use of the seniority policy to determine which teachers are let go due to budget cuts. The Gilbert School District will continue to RIF good teachers, simply based on the number of years they have served in the district. The district, known for its excelling schools, is now becoming infamous for cheating their teachers and students by finding a simple loophole in the law.
When questioned about this controversial decision, Joann Bell, president of the Gilbert Education Association, said, “The new legislation states that a district cannot adopt a policy that allows for seniority or tenure as a reason for teacher retention. Contract law and attorney recommendations indicates that the new legislation does not take precedent over current contract status. District policies that are in place when we sign our contracts are considered part of our contract.” So, by means of a loophole in the law, the district will greatly and negatively impact the lives of hundreds of teachers and their families.
The IBBT, a group of eleven teachers who represent hundreds, “felt [they] should honor that contract by not changing the policy for 2009-10 school year.” A decision was made by teachers with many years of experience, choosing this route coincidentally save themselves, while risking the younger teachers.
This decision by the Gilbert District not only hurts us, the students, or even the teachers, but it hurts the district’s integrity. The Gilbert District has three goals:
“Goal #1 – Gilbert Public Schools students will excel academically with emphasis on mathematics, writing, and reading.
Goal #2 – Gilbert Public Schools will attract, retain, and value exemplary teachers, support staff, and administrators who are committed to providing exceptional learning environments.
Goal #3 – Gilbert Public Schools will be recognized as the foremost provider of superior educational programs and services.”
The decision made to continue seniority is a step backwards from each of these goals. Goal one will not be reached, because teachers that can help the students succeed are being cut. For example, last year Dr. Bruce Bennett, a veteran English teacher with a Ph.D., was RIFed because he took a one year sabbatical and was considered a “new-hire” though he had over 20 years of experience in Gilbert Schools. Teachers being cut are chosen not through scores and evaluations, but simply by the date that the teacher was signed. This decision is the exact opposite of goal two since laying off quality teachers based by seniority doesn’t “attract, retain, and value exemplary teachers.” The decision instead discourages, releases, and under appreciates these quality teachers. Goal two is the exact opposite of the where the district is currently. Goal three will never be seen as a “superior educational program,” because they are completely ignoring the law.
For the last two years, Gilbert’s School Board has been telling students and parents to tell the legislature our concerns, but when the legislature has finally made a good call by trying to help schools and students, the Gilbert District just chooses to ignore them. That is, plain and simply, wrong.
April 23rd, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Having Dr. Bennett last year as an english teacher last year was one of the most enlightening learning experiences of the eleven years I have been in school. He constantly challenged my thinking, while helping me improve my writing skills- not to mention he was a character. This brings me to the point of why I don’t get is why the district is laying off teachers who are not only the MOST qualified, but also the most impassioned? Those goals are complete garbage due to two reasons, 1.) By keeping the teachers who drill the same regurgitated nonsense into our head year after year serves no purpose what-so-ever. Opposed to those who actually challenge us and ask “why?” 2.) It seems that district is much like the goverment, having no problem lying to our faces even when they know they’re wrong.
I guess the excellence of Varun’s article answers my question(s, kudos to you Varun. Dr. Bennett once qouted “America is going to hell in a hand-basket”, you might as well include our education and willingness to learn also. Best of luck to the excellent teachers who are getting laid off this year, honestly.