Speaking at an A-list (among education reformers at least) event in Denver on Sunday, Mayor Adrian Fenty let loose some choice words for the teachers’ unions that have been balking at D.C. public schools chancellor Michelle Rhee’s proposed contract, which centers on merit-based, rather than seniority-based, pay for teachers. When asked by News Hour reporter John Merrow about the union’s opposition, Fenty responded, “The American Federation of Teachers, which I don’t think does anything for the people of the District of Columbia, is weighing in against it. And the only thing I can think of is that the heads of the union, they want to keep their jobs.”
The Post isn’t feeling any love for the unions either, writing in an editorial this morning, “the fierce opposition is as perplexing as it is troubling.” However, the Washington Teachers’ Union has yet to budge, and even filed a law suit against the District last week, claiming that the termination of 70 teachers who had previously been on probationary status violated due process.
So what’s a chancellor to do? Go to the mattresses, apparently. As we mentioned this morning, Rhee has told the press that should the union reject the contract on the table, she will enforce accountability in other ways. “I can’t wait forever,” she told the Post. “We’ve got to move and I’m going to do so aggressively. If we can do it through this contract, great. If not, then I’ve got a Plan B.”
It’s particularly interesting that this conflict is being played out against the backdrop of the Democratic National Convention, considering that teachers’ unions have traditionally constituted a large part of the Dem base, and Dem leaders are consequently hesitant to speak out against them. In a way, it’s sort of refreshing to see student interests being placed above political ones (remember that Rhee, a Dem, has spoken admirably in the past about McCain’s education positions) but she also isn’t a politician. Fenty, of course, is, which is why his union attacks are so provocative. However, it seems we probably shouldn’t expect Obama, who favors merit pay, to jump in the fray any time soon.
Photo by stacyviery
