[Mpls] "Realignment" at MPS (what teachers can do)

[Socialist2001 at cs.com]

In a message dated 7/6/2004 9:26:02 PM Central Daylight Time, david at curle.com 
writes:

<< At a meeting between the affected teachers and the union today, 
representatives of the union, the district and Education Minnesota closed ranks and all 
said the same thing - the tenure rules require this result [185 high seniority 
teachers with multiple licensures being "realigned" into specialized 
positions], and there is nothing they can do about it. >>

In my opinion there are two actions that affected teachers should consider 
taking: 

1) Demand that the board take corrective action at the next board meeting 
(July 13). 

2) File grievances within 30 days of receiving notice about being 
involuntarily realigned out of a job.  The grievances may take the form of a letter 
demanding specific and timely corrective action sent to the administration 
(Superintendents office) and board members, with courtesy copies to the union office 
(MFT local 59) and the Minnesota Attorney General. The letter should set out 
the grounds and pertinent facts that could form the basis of a lawsuit against 
the district and specific district employees and board members who are 
allegedly breaking the law. 

The grounds: the need to "realign" was produced by excessive layoffs, and 
that some of the excessed elementary teachers who were fired and will be rehired 
possess the necessary qualifications to bid on and fill the positions of less 
senior teachers in other specialized areas. Give the essential details, i.e., 
how many teaching positions have been cut in the 2004-2005 budget; note that 
retirements, quits, and firings for cause will reduce the need to layoff 
teachers (give figures if available), and the number of teachers fired for lack of 
employment (laid off). Cite laws (including teacher tenure act) that are being 
violated and Court opinions and specific language from those Court opinions 
that support your position. 

-Doug Mann, King Field
Mann for School Board
www.educationright.com