From a press release:
Parents, teachers and concerned citizens unhappy over the shortening of the school day for most District 150 primary schools have just secured their 1001th signature on a petition requesting the District 150 Board of Education rescind their vote of May 5th. That vote shortened the primary school Day for most District 150 Schools as well as cut specialty teachers in Art Music Science and PE.
The petition Drive continues and the group feels that given time they will easily secure thousands more.
Sharon Crews, a retired Manual teacher, and one of the many that worked on the petition drive had this to say about the experience:
“Our experience today proved one thing–this group’s efforts have definitely made an impact on the public. Almost everyone who signed the petitions today already knew about the 45 minute cut in time for primary schools. Certainly, they didn’t find out from any communications from District #150. The public was aware and very ready and willing to sign against the action. This should give us all encouragement for future efforts to make the district accountable to the public. So many thanked us for putting forth this effort to fight the shortened day.”
Chris Summers, A District 150 Parent, had this to say:
“I only spent about an hour on it, and I didn’t have any trouble getting people to sign. Most of them were already aware of what was going on in D150 and were not only willing, but eager to sign the petition. I heard a lot of positive comments for what we’re trying to do; it’s been a very encouraging experience. More signatures tomorrow!”
All of the signatures are hard copy, with actual signatures. Copies of the petition and signatures will be provided to the media upon request. The group plans to present the petition to the Board of Education at their next board meeting on June 16. The 45 minute issue is expected to be on their agenda as a discussion item.
The Petition is entitled “Petition to Rescind Shortened School Day” and reads “We the undersigned support a full rescission of the shortened school day/specialty teacher reduction plan that the Peoria Public Schools Board of Education approved May 5, 2008”
CJ – Thanks for posting that. Since that press release, we are over 1,200 signatures. Given time, I’m sure we can get thousands more. Last weekend I took a few pages to the Sommerfest out at Hickory Grove Park. People were standing in line to sign it. I didn’t bring enough pages and they just turned it over and started signing the back!
Does anyone know when the teacher contract is up? I was told today that the admin and BOA plan on using the 45 minutes of class time as a bargaining tool and that it had been planned that was all along, but of course, not shared with the public. Whether or not this is true, I do not know. I can only say I heard it from a reliable source. I am also not sure how they plan on using it as a bargaining tool. But, of course, it all comes down to money… so perhaps they will tell the teachers they are working less hours and cut their pay. Who knows!!
Well of course it was… no money for raises for the teachers so cut back on their already pathetically short classroom time… hell, when you figure their pay on actual classroom time, they will be getting a HUGE raise.