Teacher's Union President Slams School Reorganization Plan
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - One day after the School Reform Commission made its case to City Council, it was the teachers union that weighed in -- and union leaders slammed the SRC's plan to reorganize the district top-to-bottom.
Jerry Jordan, head of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, led off the public testimony by slamming the district's sweeping reorganization plan. Jordan said the union and parents have not had any input in the move:
"If you really want true input from the Federation, from parents and from other stakeholders, then we need to be a part of it at the beginning, and not at the end."
District Chief Academic Officer Penny Nixon said the SRC is just beginning to solicit input on the plan from the public:
"The final decision on a reorganization has not been made."
Yet Council members like Cindy Bass said even they feel left out of the loop:
"It's like pulling teeth to try to get information."
District officials propose downsizing central administration and eliminating seats in low performing schools.
