CPS strike? (Chicago, Bush: best, teachers, lessons)

[emathias]

Originally Posted by RedJacket

...
I have no idea how or why the people of Chicago elected Rahm as their mayor.
...

From an outsider's view, too much of this strike seems to be centered on Karen Lewis being personally offended by Rahm Emmanuel's brusque, sometimes rude, style. While I personally don't like being yelled at either, when larger issues are at stake, an inability to step up as an adult and set aside hurt feelings is disgusting.

[Chi-town Native]

Poll: 47% of Chicago registered voters support teachers in strike - Chicago Sun-Times

and so much for segregation, look at the unity:

"The ratings were fairly consistent across racial and ethnic lines and areas of the city."

[Aleking]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Poll: 47% of Chicago registered voters support teachers in strike - Chicago Sun-Times

and so much for segregation, look at the unity:

"The ratings were fairly consistent across racial and ethnic lines and areas of the city."

pretty interesting...I fall somewhere in the middle myself.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Poll: 47% of Chicago registered voters support teachers in strike - Chicago Sun-Times

and so much for segregation, look at the unity:

"The ratings were fairly consistent across racial and ethnic lines and areas of the city."

How will CPS erase their $700M budget shortfall and pay for the amazing salary increases in the current offer? Will the Chicago voters support the taxes necessary?

[MI_OH]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

How will CPS erase their $700M budget shortfall and pay for the amazing salary increases in the current offer? Will the Chicago voters support the taxes necessary?

Well, for one, Rahm can stop with the downtown TIF subsidies to his developer friends, which costs city taxpayers hundreds of millions annually.

For another, CPS can stop hiring hundreds and hundreds of six-figure "consultants" with dubious job descriptions.

The issue, BTW, is not primarily about salary/benefits. It's about an out-of-control mayor who doesn't care about education, and has been raiding the education budget since day 1. If it doesn't benefit the downtown yuppie constituency, or his insider friends, Rahm doesn't give a damn.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by MI_OH

Well, for one, Rahm can stop with the downtown TIF subsidies to his developer friends, which costs city taxpayers hundreds of millions annually.

For another, CPS can stop hiring hundreds and hundreds of six-figure "consultants" with dubious job descriptions.

The issue, BTW, is not primarily about salary/benefits. It's about an out-of-control mayor who doesn't care about education, and has been raiding the education budget since day 1. If it doesn't benefit the downtown yuppie constituency, or his insider friends, Rahm doesn't give a damn.

Isn't it true that Daley was a huge user (abuser?) of TIF funds?

Does CPS really hire "hundreds" of consultants?

If it isn't a salary/benefits issue why did CTU ask for a gigantic four year 30% raise? Thirty percent? When Chicago teachers average $76,000 per year, highest of any major city in the US?

How Much Do Chicago Public School Teachers Make? « CBS Chicago

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by MI_OH

Well, for one, Rahm can stop with the downtown TIF subsidies to his developer friends, which costs city taxpayers hundreds of millions annually.

For another, CPS can stop hiring hundreds and hundreds of six-figure "consultants" with dubious job descriptions.

The issue, BTW, is not primarily about salary/benefits. It's about an out-of-control mayor who doesn't care about education, and has been raiding the education budget since day 1. If it doesn't benefit the downtown yuppie constituency, or his insider friends, Rahm doesn't give a damn.

Correct - it is actually not legal to strike over the main issues of contention (class sizes being a great example), so they have to say it's the pay.

Regarding the taxes, right now about $250,000,000 is diverted from the CPS due to the TIF program. Annually.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Regarding the taxes, right now about $250,000,000 is diverted from the CPS due to the TIF program. Annually.

Is it that much?

[dewthedru]

good grief. this makes me want to vomit. except i'd probably have to pay a tax to do so.

[Jandur]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Isn't it true that Daley was a huge user (abuser?) of TIF funds?

Does CPS really hire "hundreds" of consultants?

If it isn't a salary/benefits issue why did CTU ask for a gigantic four year 30% raise? Thirty percent? When Chicago teachers average $76,000 per year, highest of any major city in the US?

How Much Do Chicago Public School Teachers Make? « CBS Chicago

CPS was a client of mine in a past life. They ended up not needing our services after about 3 days in. But the guy in charge of the budget (friends with my boss) paid us 4 weeks of billing just because. He was under no contractual obligation to pay us, but gave us $50,000 of taxpayer money because he could. People don't realize how often this type of thing happens with city organizations.