Category: Vision: 2020

Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020

District Needs to Listen to and Respect Teachers

jcpswatch

Dear JCPS,

I would gladly give back my Excel award to have a voice back in education. JCPS has forgotten that education is not about awards, press coverage, or adults. It is not about politics, surveys, tests, or what furthers careers. It is the reason that teachers fight through the disrespected feeling to go to school in the morning and that is students. It is the reason we are screaming in the streets and holding protest signs. It is not about money, we give that away daily. It is simple: Our students deserve so much more from all of us.

I have been blessed to teach the most amazing people and get to watch them develop into people that I can be proud of. They inspire me daily and are the reason that I feel it is important to write this from the heart. Education is what teachers do daily…it is nurturing, caring, and getting to know the individuals in front of us.

JCPS administration if you want to change things in the district, it starts with the most important thing in the classroom…respect. You have to respect teachers to know the right tools to enhance student growth, we have to be able to respect the people making policies, and everyone needs to respect all students’ rights. All students deserve to be respected in school and not be turned into a number on a spread sheet. This means teachers need to have the power to keep all students safe and give consequences that teach students how to act and be a valuable member of society. Tests shouldn’t be used to tell students that they are inferior, but grades and teacher recommendations should be used to place students in programs.

We need to get back to what we do best and that is to collaborate as a district and turn education into something that should be celebrated and enjoyed. After all, as educators we should lead by example, so I need to speak up on behalf of my students. This district needs to be a functioning family again that put the needs of students first. If not, we will end up like the Detroit public school system in broken chaos.

Sincerely,
Excel Teacher Who Wants to Be Heard

NOTE: While the author’s identity is protected here, they are not anonymous to Dear JCPS. Any board member wishing to address the concerns shared here can contact our administrators to make a connection.

Budget, Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020

Reality of Classified Wages

jcpswatch

Dear JCPS,

I am an Instructional Assistant in a JCPS Pre-K classroom and I am writing this letter in opposition of a proposed wage freeze for employees making over $14/hour. I guess I am considered one of those “overpaid” employees as I make a whopping $15.46/hour. After taxes, escrow, CERS, and JCAESP (Union Dues), are all taken out, I get to bring home the exorbitant amount of $464 every two weeks. That’s right folks, $234 a week. That is very close to the poverty line and not at all a “sustainable” wage. I am fortunate that my husband is also employed and carries the health insurance as I would not be able to purchase a family plan on my income. I wouldn’t even be able to support myself on such a low wage much less make a house or rent payment, pay utilities, medical, food, gas, etc. on $928/month. I work very hard at my job with very little monetary compensation. To even suggest freezing our wages is ludicrous. I implore you to do the right thing and vote “NO” to a wage freeze.

Thank you.

NOTE: While the author’s identity is protected here, they are not anonymous to Dear JCPS. Any board member wishing to address the concerns shared here can contact our administrators to make a connection.

Behavior/Discipline, Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020

Broke AND Broken

jcpswatch

Dear JCPS,

With all the recent uproar about how the staff at JCPS are being treated, it got me thinking. I am currently an instructor III, which means I have my bachelor’s degree. I make about $20,000/year. I’ve been in JCPS for 8 years. I started as an instructional assistant for 6 years. When I changed job titles they took my steps away. Did those 6 years mean nothing? Do they not realize that everything is going up: rent, groceries, gas, etc. Why shouldn’t my pay go up? Am I not worth more to you?

I now play many roles at my school. Sometimes I substitute and currently I’m actually doing SRT. But both of those jobs pay more money. Why am I not getting [paid for the work I actually do]. Sometimes I wish I can go to work and “clock in” under which job I will be doing for the day. That’s not too mention the other roles on top of that mom, counselor, friend, teacher, role model etc. that I play.

Next topic behavior! Wow, the things I’ve seen heard and dealt with this last year. Never have I been so disrespected. Never have I had a panic attack at work. Never have I witnessed such cruelty, hatefulness and entitled children. I can’t even count how many times a child cussed me out, blatantly disrespected me or harassed me. But it’s not just about me. They’ve run subs off mid day and cheered. They instigate violence, talk about sex and drugs (I’m in middle school) yell and scream, hurt others, the list goes on. And the adults are helpless. We try to hand out discipline. We try to have positive conversations. We try to keep them in the class. We give them so many chances but the response is always “I don’t care” and they truly don’t. They don’t care that they’re in Middle School and still read on an elementary level. They don’t care that the teachers have to buy supplies out of money from their own pockets. They don’t care that the lunch ladies are there early in the morning to feed them breakfast and to prepare their lunches. They don’t care about the other 80 children riding on the bus. They just don’t care. I guess that’s a thing at JCPS. Nobody cares what everybody is doing for their children.

I’m so very glad that the school year is almost over. I don’t know how much more I can take.

Sincerely,
Someone looking for a new job

NOTE: While the author’s identity is protected here, they are not anonymous to Dear JCPS. Any board member wishing to address the concerns shared here can contact our administrators to make a connection.

10 Point Grading Scale, Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020

Where is the teacher’s voice in the district?

jcpswatch

Dear JCPS,

I am very upset to hear once again that stakeholders in the community are yet again NOT being listened to in regards to JCPS decisions. Yesterday I saw the news article in regard to the SPP & G and the grading scale. I was not happy when the board switched the grading scale last summer to its current rendition and was happy to get the survey asking for our ideas and opinions on the grading scale. Now I am finding out that our Superintendent has taken it upon herself to throw out the recommendation from the SPP&G committee that used data from stakeholders to make a decision to put into place her own recommendation. We, as teachers, are again being told our opinions and ideas do not matter in the grand scheme. This is absurd! We are on the ones in the classrooms, dealing with the issues! We should be the first ones you ask and take our concerns and ideas very seriously!

As a middle school teacher for the last 12 years I have a much better grasp on what grading scale will work best for my students. I lived with the 7 point scale for 11 years, till we went to the hybrid scale this year. In the opinion of most teachers if you are going to have a 10 point scale for A’s and B’s it should be for all of the scale. We have an extremely large amount of students in middle school who would greatly benefit from a 10 point scale. I have a lot of students who have 67 or 68% and are failing, but under a 10 point scale they will no longer fail!

But the major issue is that our voice, the teacher’s voice, is being taken out of the equation! The district as a whole has taken a business idea and tried to equate it into teaching children. The business model works great when discussing finances and such, but not in the essence of the classroom. When people who have not been in the classroom for many years, who are separate from the day to day reality are making our day to day decisions, it leads to catastrophe and why our district is such in an uproar right now! Coming to visit a school and walking into a classroom for 5 to 10 minutes and getting a “dog and pony” show does not show the true reality! As many parents and teachers have been saying recently in Facebook comments and to others is simple – “Come walk a day in my schools”! Look at what we deal with on a daily basis and understand why we are mad! You talk of freezing our pay because we are “overpaid” compared to other “comparable” districts, but even these “comparable” districts are vastly different than us! You talk about drastic changes to the Code of Conduct to take away suspensions when behaviors are out of control in the schools! Teachers are a breaking point already and now we are told once again how undervalued we are by taking our opinions and throwing them away!

I am MAD! I spend so much time, energy, and money on my students and school! I take my profession, my calling seriously! I feel disrespected! I feel ignored! When will this stop? When teachers take a sick out like Detriot? When we have more non-certified teachers in classrooms, than certified because the teachers all leave? When will our voices be heard and you all realize we can only take so much!

Sincerely,
A very upset middle school teacher!

NOTE: While the author’s identity is protected here, they are not anonymous to Dear JCPS. Any board member wishing to address the concerns shared here can contact our administrators to make a connection.

Behavior/Discipline, Vision: 2020

Focus on What’s Important

jcpswatch

Dear JCPS,

I am currently a student at a JCPS High School and all the talk about the code of conduct changes really frightens me. School already doesn’t feel safe as it is. Just this week we’ve had two incidents at my school that have had news coverage. That’s not counting the everyday struggle I watch both students and teachers suffer through. Many students are having their education jeopardized because of their classmates. I feel as offenses like fighting and sexual harassment should definitely  be taken seriously but also other things like disrespect and disobeying staff/teacher directions for the sake of just not listening. It’s not fair that I’m struggling to pass math because the other students can not behave. Things like dress code, cellphones, and being late to class (all things my school pays more attention to than things that put students in danger) are not the important issues here. The important issues are that I don’t feel safe in class along with many of my peers as well. We need to stop focusing so much on the small, non threatening things like dress codes and cell phones and worry about safety and students not being able to learn because of other students.

Sincerely,

JCPS Sophomore

Admin, Budget, Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020

Purposeful Exclusion Makes Me Feel Undervalued

jcpswatch

This letter was submitted to JCPS Board Members this morning, and shared with Dear JCPS for others to use as template, if desired.

Dear JCPS,

I am greatly disappointed and confused by recent decisions to hold salary and code of conduct meetings during school hours. Teachers across the district are extremely concerned about both issues and would like to be part of the meetings that are scheduled.

I read that teachers are invited to watch a live stream of the meeting. However, how am I able to participate, or even watch, when I will be at school teaching 20 precious 4th graders? I am shocked that more of an effort was not made to include teachers and stakeholders in your decision making. I know I speak for many others when I say that purposeful exclusion from these meetings makes me feel VERY undervalued as an employee.

Morale around the district continues to plummet. Employees have lost respect for administrators after being blindsided by salary issues and then being insulted by Tom Hudson. We have watched the mess surrounding restraint and seclusion and felt the obvious code of silence around the district. Now, we are excluded from meetings related to student behavior and our well being. Something MAJOR needs to change if morale is going to rebound.

I love this town. I love my job. I really love kids. I believe JCPS is an organization that can be great again. My little boy is almost 2 and I have always planned for him to attend a JCPS school. Now, along with many others that I know, I am not so sure if I will enroll him in JCPS. I question if decisions are made in the best interest of students at the administrative level.

What is it going to take for Dr. Hargens and the board to be honest with the public and advocate for their employees? I am very discouraged.

I sincerely hope you will be a genuine advocate for teachers and students as you make upcoming decisions. That’s what we elected you to do.

Sincerely,
Tax Payer
Teacher
Future JCPS Parent

The identity of the author is withheld from this post, but they are not anonymous to us. 

Behavior/Discipline, Budget, Challenger Learning Center, Standardized Testing, Vision: 2020

Our Last Hope

jcpswatch

This letter was presented at the JCPS Board Meeting on May 10, 2016 by Dear JCPS Co-founder Gay Adelmann.

Dear JCPS,

gay speaksAs a newcomer to Louisville a few years ago, and upon our selection of a magnet, (which happened to be a priority school in the West End), I was immediately sucked into the dysfunction that is JCPS. I saw some blatant disconnects and easy fixes and I made an effort to be part of the solution. Along the way, I met many people who said “you’re wasting your time.” “The district is going to do what it wants to do.”

The Pollyanna in me said “They just don’t have the info they need to make good decisions.” Teachers were afraid to speak up. But the answers were clear if you knew where to look. So we spoke at board meetings. We wrote proposals. But we were shut out. Calls were not returned. We were treated as hostile. And we were lied to. Sure enough, the district continued to “do what it wanted to do.”

That’s when I said, “un uh.” These are our schools. Our kids. Our tax dollars. So we started Dear JCPS. And that’s when we found many more who were been beaten down, ignored, had issues swept under the rug. Parents who had no choice but to resort to lawsuits. We were drawn to each other like a moth to a flame. Suddenly, the district’s ability to “ignore the problem long enough so that it would go away” was in jeopardy. Repeated attempts were made to discredit and derail our group.

Because district leaders did not authentically respond to our questions and concerns early on, they appear to have a hidden agenda. And now, the district’s lies and misdeeds are becoming undeniable.

When you sign off on out-of-touch recommendations that are obtained with no genuine input from stakeholders; when we are asked to pick one of three options, of which two are not even viable, that is not brainstorming. That is manipulation.

A state senator “shadowed” my son yesterday, but some of our district leaders, entrusted with making some of the most important decisions in our city, can’t be bothered to do the same.

Public education is under attack nationwide. Your complicity that allows them to undermine the success of our district, and expedite — not thwart — its demise, is criminal.

Your negligence is not only filling the pipeline to prison, it is filling the pipeline to the morgue. Two of my son’s classmates have been murdered this year.

MURDERED!

Imagine if you lived in a war zone, not knowing if you or someone you loved could be killed at any moment. And you are required to come to school – in many cases bused across town — and forced sit for ridiculous tests and test prep that do not teach you what you need to escape the war zone, but instead are used to label and place more hurdles and burdens in your way.

Yes! We need a more equitable code of conduct, but more importantly we need the supports in place to make sure it’s successful.

These are our children’s lives and futures you’re playing with. We did not elect you to boost your resume, to satisfy your philanthropic goals, or so you could throw your influence around on the golf course or the board room. We elected you to fix our broken school system.

If you think the media is to blame for this debacle, you’re still not getting it. But the community is – and we’re outraged. Our school board is our last hope to save public education in Louisville. You either take this bull by its horns, or we will VOTE YOU OUT!

Accountability, Admin, Budget, Vision: 2020

“Community Advisory Team” ORR Response

jcpswatch

The following email was received from JCPS Communications in response to a series of questions (in bold) from a member of the community.

From: Brislin, Jennifer F. <jennifer.brislin@jefferson.kyschools.us>
Date: Mon, May 9, 2016 at 6:29 PM
Subject: OPEN RECORDS REQUEST: Information and public records request
To: “XXX” (Redacted for privacy)
Cc: “Horne, Steph” <steph.horne@jefferson.kyschools.us>

Good evening,

I wanted to follow up with you on your request for records and information regarding the recent classification and compensation analysis, which was forwarded to my office for a response.

When was the CAT formed? How were applications solicited or if not by application, who participated in the selection of the members.
The Community Advisory Team (CAT) was assembled in early February 2016 for the purpose of reviewing the consultant’s report and discussing the necessary steps to present the information. This was an informal group; members were invited to participate by Tom Hudson, chief business officer for Jefferson County Public Schools.

Pursuant to KRS 61.872, Please provide all dates of meetings of the CAT, information provided to them and notices of meetings since, as I understand it, these committee meetings were public meetings in compliance with Kentucky’s Open Meetings law.
The CAT met on April 1, 2016. This was not a meeting of a group as defined by the Kentucky Open Meetings Law.

Pursuant to KRS 61.872 Please provide minutes or, even better, transcripts or recordings of all meeting in which any CAT member participated in which the compensation information was reviewed or discussed.
There are no minutes or recordings of this meeting.

How were the comparative districts selected? I would like to assume that the comparators face the same challenges as JCPS does with respect to poverty and homelessness. Is that an accurate statement based on the information the Board was provided and upon what information did you rely in reaching that conclusion?
In terms of district selection, the consultants used their knowledge of comparison districts, Auditor Edelen’s study and advice from the hiring team. As you can see from the study, 6 of the 10 districts that were compared were our own benchmark districts. JCPS is reviewing internally to determine if the district wants to revisit some of the districts that were compared. In addition, Mr. Hudson has indicated that he’s requested a more detailed explanation from the consultants about the algorithms and methodologies used in the district-to-district comparison, and he will be happy to share that information when it’s received.

Why were there only administrators on the panel and no classroom teachers or certified staff?
Why were there no community members or parents of JCPS students who are of more modest means on the panel? How could there be no people of color on the panel who were not also administration employees? What was the alleged expertise of the various panel members? I like Mr. Smith but his expertise is in combating unions -not in education and I am pretty sure his children attended private schools and not JCPS. In any event, they would have attended many years ago and so his experience as a JCPS parent would likely be of marginal relevance. The other attorney represents the District Board in litigation – certainly he cannot provide an impartial view. If he participated merely to ensure the committee did not run afoul of the law I would like to see documentation that he did not participate in any votes or other decision making, pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records law.

For this initial review of the salary study, Mr. Hudson sought expertise and advice from individuals with a broad range of experience in legal, financial and human resource matters. Members included:

•Tiffeny Armour, Director of Human Resources, JCPS
•Roger Cude, Senior VP of Human Resources, Humana
•Attorney Mark Fenzel, Middleton Reutlinger
•Dr. Rita Greer, former Director of Human Resources, JCPS
•Chuck Haddaway, Board Member, JCPS
•Cordelia Hardin, CFO, JCPS
•Donna Hargens, Superintendent, JCPS
•Dr. Blake Haselton, Superintendent in Residence, U of L
•Tom Hudson, CBO, JCPS
•Allison Martin, Chief Communications and Community Relations Officer JCPS
•Angie Moorin –Finance Work Group Member
•Tom Quick, VP of Human Resources, General Electric Appliances
•Attorney Jim Smith, Smith and Smith Attorneys

Intentionally, this group was kept small with the understanding that representatives of all constituencies would be at the table and able to weigh in once the study was presented to the Board and to the public. We intend to study this over the next year, giving JCPS time to meet with impacted parties, hear concerns from all sides and negotiate with the unions. We want and need your feedback.

I would like a copy of all drafts or versions of the report of the Management Advisory Group which was received by JCPS. This includes the earlier draft which was sent back in early 201 5. The PDF of the document appears to have been removed from the JCPS website.
The final report is now available at https://www.jefferson.kyschools.us/file/jcps-final-report-classification-and-compensation-study. The final report is 1,098 pages; you may also inspect a copy of the report at my office in the VanHoose Education Center, 3332 Newburg Road, during regular business hours. If you wish to take a copy of the report with you, it is available at a cost of 10 cents per page, or $109.80. If you are unable to come to the office, we can mail you the report; regular copy charges of $109.80 plus postage charges will apply.

No draft of the report is available. Pursuant to KRS 61.878(1)[(i)-(j)], “Preliminary drafts, notes, correspondence with private individuals, other than correspondence which is intended to give notice of final action of a public agency; (and) Preliminary recommendations, and preliminary memoranda in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated or recommended” are exempt from disclosure.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

JENNIFER BRISLIN
Deputy Communications Director
Jefferson County Public Schools
3332 Newburg Road
Louisville, KY 40218
Office: 502.485.3551
Cell: 502.744-7478

www.jefferson.k12.ky.us

Standardized Testing, Vision: 2020

What the KPREP Scores WON’T Tell You

jcpswatch

Dear JCPS,tshirt back

Tomorrow I will administer the KPREP for the first time in my teaching career. This expensive, artificial, high-stakes test will spit out labels for my 8- and 9-year old babies, essentially deciding whether I’ve been an effective teacher, and ultimately labeling our school’s performance. However this test is not going to provide any new information for me. I know which of my students are struggling and who grasps concepts quickly and thinks deeply. In fact, there is so much this test cannot tell us that the amount of emphasis placed on it throughout the school year is, frankly, ridiculous. The test will label one of my students as Novice. It will not tell you that he came to me in second grade as a non-reader who speaks English as a second language and has a speech/language disorder and now, 2 years later, converses in full sentences and reads on a first grade level. The test won’t show you the number of times I’ve comforted my kiddos who are acting out because they are thinking about their parents- the one who was murdered over the summer, the one who’s been away in treatment for anger management, the one in jail, or the ones who just aren’t around. The test won’t show you the number of conflict resolution discussions and class meetings we’ve had so that my kiddos learn how to interact with each other before guns are readily available to them. Our school’s label won’t show you that we are truly a family for over 700 kids whose lives at home are often chaotic, affected by poverty and violence. That rather than kicking out our most challenging kids like some schools do, we surround them with a support network of sincere love and concern. So as we face a week of testing, may we all, students and teachers alike, remember we are so much more than any test can tell us about ourselves.

Kelly Rice
JCPS Teacher

Behavior/Discipline, Budget, Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020

Taking a Step Backwards – From a JCPS Student

jcpswatch

This letter was presented by a JCPS student at today’s walk-in at Meyzeek. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Dear JCPS.

Dear JCPS,

Hello, my name is Neil Jacob. I’m an 8th grader here at Meyzeek and a student council representative. I’m here today to talk about the proposed changes to the code of conduct which we follow everyday, which will be reviewed over the next 6 weeks. Not only are we at risk, but our beloved teachers are being shot down too. On May 10th, the school board will vote on teacher salary reforms which will put a freeze on their salaries. No raises whatsoever.

What a step backwards we’ve taken. Having to be out here to plead for my education and safety is horrible. Being a JCPS student of nearly 9 years, I’ve seen my fair share of student disobedience. I’ll admit, many attempts to discipline the minuscule amount of unruly students has not worked. If I had a dollar for every vulgar word said or punch thrown in my school, I would have arrived here in a private helicopter. However, this has to be the most shocking jab at teaching kids what is right and wrong. Simply ignoring the situation is completely the wrong approach for shaping the future. You’re doing nobody any good by teaching unruly students that there are no consequences to misbehavior.

A school without discipline is no school of mine. What numbers we saw when campaigns against bullying were launched, students felt safe again. This feels like a leap into the past. A student who assaults another should not only be given a slap on the wrist. No repercussions for serious actions such as sexual assault and theft sounds counter intuitive.

And to our teachers, the educators who influence the lives of the students on a daily basis and stop at nothing to make sure no child has been deprived the opportunity for a sufficient education. Even though they are selfless, driven and motivated; they have the same needs as everybody else. Personally and professionally, they play a substantial role in the development of children of all ages, and deserve all the respect we can give. Instead of discussing how to freeze their salaries, we should be discussing how to raise them.

Thank you.