Submitted by arlenegloria on Thu, 08/05/2010 - 23:56

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CTU takes aim at teacher layoffs in lawsuit filed on Tuesday
August 4, 2010

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has already filed grievances saying laid-off citywide teachers and coaches should have seniority rights and be eligible for reassignment. It has also asserted that its contract requires Chicagp Public Schools (CPS) to lay off teachers by seniority, instead of making those who earned ratings of “unsatisfactory” go first.

But the lawsuit takes a multi-pronged approach. Until an arbitrator hears the grievances, the suit states, layoffs are regulated by state law. The law requires the district to issue rules governing the layoffs, the suit states, and give each teacher an opportunity to explain his or her qualifications and experience.

The union is asking the courts for one of two possible outcomes: an injunction that would put an end to the performance-based layoffs and restore seniority and reassignment rights to citywide teachers; or one that would force the district to issue more formal layoff guidelines and offer affected teachers an “individualized hearing or determination as to whether they are entitled to retention in some position” based on state law.

Later in the day, Chicago Public Schools issued a statement in response to the lawsuit filed by CTU that said the CTU lawsuit "willfully ignores the state’s budget crisis. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Illinois is in worse shape than any other state. This crisis has a profound effect on every school district, including our own. Today, Chicago Public Schools confronts a $370 million deficit. To deny this reality makes no sense, nor does it serve our students’ needs.

"Contrary to what the Chicago Teachers Union has alleged, we have not fired teachers 'capriciously, callously and without legal grounds.' Instead, we have targeted our reductions in force to areas that minimize the negative impact on our students."

CPS goes on to say that "the CTU’s lawsuit is without merit" and that it will "vigorously defend the district’s actions and policies against the allegations" in the lawsuit. (Rebecca Harris, Catalyst)

Mayor Daley said Tuesday that he ordered Chicago Public Schools to restore non-varsity high school sports programs to keep young people occupied and off the streets, (Sun-Times)

CPS' monthlong program called Safe Haven, aimed at keeping kids out of harm's way in the summer months, wins over skeptics, the Tribune reports.

More than 90 percent of the graduates of the University of Chicago's Urban Teacher Education Program are still teaching in Chicago Public Schools or similar urban school districts after five years. (press release)