Teacher Rights are Under Fire! Take Action at LAE Lobby Day, Thursday, May 27, 2010, 8:00 a.m., on Capitol Steps. Your participation is vital!

Teacher Rights are Under Fire! Take Action at LAE Lobby Day, Thursday, May 27, 2010, 8:00 a.m., on Capitol Steps. Your participation is vital!

HB1368: Grassroots action needed NOW to amplify anti-1368 campaign. 

 

HB1368 goes before the Senate Education Committee next week.  While LAE mobilization activities like the legislative conferences, information mailers and "thank you" newspaper ads have been hugely successful, our friends at the Capitol have advised LAE to turn up the heat.

HB 1368 would provide your superintendent the opportunity to cut things he or she sees as "red tape" as part of a "reform plan" for your schools.  Under this bill, the "red tape" your superintendent could waive includes: 

• extended sick leave, sabbatical leave, and assault leave;
  
• student discipline laws and the teacher bill of rights;
  
• personnel files law;
  
• tenure rights;
  
• reduction-in-force policies;
  
• student-teacher ratios; and
  
• hourly wage and salary schedules.
  

In return for the freedom from "red tape," at least half of the schools covered by waivers would have to either close, replace most of the staff, or convert to charters. As there is no increased funding from the state to reward "highly effective teachers" or to provide high-quality professional development for "ineffective teachers" as called for in the bill, the money would have to be made up on the local level. 

 
 

Leading up to the HB1368 hearing on Thursday, May 27th, LAE needs your help to unleash an overflow of educator voices against this anti-public education bill!

Take action NOW and pledge to do these three things:

 

     (1) Spread the word. Call, e-mail, text your colleagues and encourage them to contact their state senators and vote "no" against HB 1368.

     (2)  Lend your voice. Make calls to your legislators beginning this weekend.

     (3)  Be a part of the "pack."  Join your fellow LAE members from all across the state as we "pack" the hearing room.  Get the latest news and talking points beforehand at LAE LOBBY DAY.

 

    WHAT: LOBBY DAY (Theme: "Don't waive our rights")

    WHEN: THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010 - 8:00 A.M.

    WHERE: CAPITOL STEPS

                                (Important: Please dress in black)

 

 If we're going to counter this anti-public education climate, we must wage "LAE power" against "Jindal-power."  Stay tuned to CapWiz and your e-mail on how you can help in the fight to protect Louisiana public schools!