It’s Time For Schools To Open Up and Stop Playing with the Children

Chicago Public School teachers and students have been out of the classroom for nearly a year due to COVID-19, and now it’s time to return to the classroom in person. The teachers want an assured safe environment before returning as well as the parents and children.

Anyone who has taught a class in CPS knows (almost like clockwork) a teacher can be guaranteed to catch a cold once a year, from their students. The younger the students, the more guaranteed the cold.

Kids don’t necessarily have great hygiene practices, and wearing masks all day in class should be the first precaution. Think back to your grammar school days, would you keep the mask on? The teacher will probably have to remind the students to keep their masks pulled up over their noses, while they complain “but I can’t breathe.”

Chicago schools closing has become national news. The Chicago Teachers Union rightfully insists upon guarantees. They’re concerned about health and safety protocols, ventilation, contact tracing, and health committees. The Mayor and the union are at an impasse on their negotiations. It is a political fight about power with the school children being used as pons on both sides. This is so unfair. The parties should come together to benefit the children, not hurt them. The CTU needs to stick to education issues exclusively and not be concerned about housing and policing.

COVID-19 has changed lives, probably forever. The teacher’s contract promises a three percent increase for this year for some. It would be criminal for teachers to get a raise not to work. But the contract allows for it and the possibility is real, as we all look at a property tax increase. Really? This is not the way taxpayer dollars should be utilized. What is the return on the investment? If the mayor insists that teachers go back with an injunction or no pay type penalty, she loses. A great secret for all parties, teachers run schools, not unions or mayors. Teachers have to be in the classroom, not mayors or union people. Teachers run it. Their voice is critical. The mayor, herself, says a second strike would be a “disaster.”

Who From Chicago’s Teachers Union Runs For Mayor?

So, how about this. For the election of 2024, we will probably see a teacher’s union member run for mayor. Will it be the CTU’s President Mr. Jesse Sharkey or will it be Vice President Stacey Davis Gates? They are posturing for City Hall, as the Mayor is losing the public opinion battle. A recent Fox Critics have artfully painted her into a corner, where she is the bad guy, looking like she can’t negotiate a contract. The public knows and only wants one thing, resolve it, and get it done. Enough already. Teachers should be at work, children back in school, and parents back at work. A recent Fox poll reveals that the public is 73% in support of the union. The union has done a better pr job than the mayor’s office in outlining their concerns. Great for the union, but who cares about the children.

The teachers are crying for safety first and Lightfoot is crying a deal is near, just as her communications director Michael Crowley resigned. This is the time he is needed most. You cannot play with the press. You certainly can’t call off press conferences minutes before television airtime. Cardinal sin. The union is much better prepared with their pubic face.

If the COVID-19 shot is the major concern for the teachers, how about allocating a certain amount of vaccines for teachers only. Go directly to the schools and administer the shot. It could be done by the district and coordinated with area hospitals.

Remember the Chicago Firefighter Strike of 1980?

In 1980, Mayor Jane Byrne reneged on a campaign promise to give the firefighters union – which had previously agreed to handshake labor agreements – a written contract. So, on Feb.14, more than 4,000 firemen packed up their firehouse gear and went on strike. The unthinkable strike lasted for 23 days. Rev. Jesse Jackson intervened as a negotiator, and with patience and representation of the public, he negotiated with both parties. His concerns were the public safety of the city and where the impact of no firemen was the greatest. Jackson patiently and deliberately asked both sides what they absolutely had to have. He went down the hall from one party to another until both were satisfied. Negotiations came to an end, with an intervention.

The children, the parents, nor the taxpayers shouldn’t be held hostage with the mayor and the union’s political play. The union has won the public fight. So now let’s get the kids back to school. I suggest mediation is required to negotiate the strike. I also suggest a blue-ribbon committee chosen by both sides, comprised of ministers, parents, retired educators, teachers, elected officials, and retired union members representing the public interest of the children.

The children need a lobbyist at the table to fight for their education. A year out of school is enough, and two years out of the classroom is unthinkable. Children will probably have to attend school all year long to make up lost lessons. Kids would be behind in their education and some won’t make up for the lack. How about, let’s look at best practices from other school districts and implement them here? How about it? How about parents negotiating for their children with tax paying dollars on the table.

It’s time to go back to school.