CAT Tracks for March 16, 2004 WHILE THE CAT's AWAY...

Without fanfare, CSD #1 FINALLY posted the REQUIRED notice that it lost its battle(s) with the Cairo Association of Educational Support Professionals over arbitrarily hiring - over internal applicants - the relative of a sitting Cairo BOE member in blatant violation of its own nepotism policy. Then - without first negotiating with CAESP as required by law - the Cairo BOE compounded its illegalities by "restructuring" the position of Head Computer Operator as Director of Finance and Payroll so as to remove it from the union. It has been a long and COSTLY ordeal.

Below is a copy of that posting...

Unfortunately, AS WE ARE ALL PAINFULLY AWARE, the BOE and administration of CSD #1 are never ones to admit error/defeat...never ones to "cut their losses" - Personnel...YES; Losses...NO!

As previously reported in CAT Tracks, the Cairo BOE voted on February 19th to rescind its previous action (in response to this - NOW posted - adverse ruling by the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board), but THEN immediately voted to reinstate the position with the same occupant!

And the Cairo Financial Oversight Panel wonders why CSD #1's legal fees for the past couple/three years were over $300,000...