Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for January 16, 2009 THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

A friend sent me an e-mail Wednesday morning after reading my "Negotiations Update" following Tuesday night's "disappointing" session.

She marveled at my "calm"...

After reviewing the BOE's proposal, she KNEW how angry I must be. A former member of CAT's negotiating team, she KNEW first hand the frustration that befalls those hoping for the best, hoping that reason and logic will prevail, and receiving the worst.

She also knew my (sometimes well-earned) reputation for "editorializing to heighten emotion" and wondered...why I had not burned a hole in the Internet with a blistering attack against "the powers that be".

In the past 48 hours, I've heard from a few others, wondering...

Well, I guess I've got some 'splainin' to do.

I glanced through the BOE's proposal on Tuesday night...while listening to their attorney outline their "party line". They say the devil is in the details. Well, I didn't need to look at the details...the general outline was familiar enough. Same old, same old.

By the time I sat down at my computer a couple of hours later to type the summary that I knew CAT members would be anxiously awaiting...the bad news that I would have to convey...well, honestly, I was just too damned depressed to "fire it up". It gets really, really old having to be the bearer of bad tidings. (Even though President De De has to deal with the day-to-day, face-to-face stress of unmet expectations, I still feel responsible...still feel like there is something I should be able to do, something I should be able to say to convince the BOE not to venture down a path that has proved so unproductive in the past.)

And, there is another thing...a BIG THING.

I am not a CAT anymore. My livelihood is NOT on the line anymore. If CAT goes on strike, my check will still arrive on the 1st of the month...every month.

(By the way...YOUR check would still arrive on the 15th and 30th for at least a couple of months...we found that out back in November/December of 1994. You have already earned money, that they have withheld, that they HAVE to pay you even if you are on strike. And, then, there are the interest-free loans...)

However, it's still something that I would NOT wish on my worst enemies...much less the CATs of whom I am so fond.

So, it gives me paws...

(Yep, still trying to maintain the sense of humor!)

Anyway, since I am removed from the situation, I hesitate to "speak for the CATs". So, when I sat down in my writer's garret Tuesday night, I laid out the facts as they were...assuming my "reporter's mode". Thus the low-key rendition of what you read on Wednesday morning.

Then, not surprisingly, I read and heard from YOU!

Like the newsman in the 1976 movie Network, one by one, HOT CATs began screaming "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"

No...no surprise. I was fairly certain that would be your reaction. There was no need for me to "editorialize". THAT would simply be a matter of throwing gasoline on a blazing inferno. What's the point?

BUT...it needed to come from you...a message of justifiable outrage delivered firmly to your leadership. In the past two days, you have done just that!

Your CAT leadership is willing to "lead"...in the direction YOU choose. THAT has always been the secret to our success. Contrary to the beliefs of past BOEs and Superintendents, the issues "championed" by the CAT are YOUR issues...NOT some "agenda" of, by, and for the leadership.

You are CATs...NOT sheep!

So, I've taken a short break, We've awaited your direction, and you have spoken.

Next Tuesday, your CAT negotiations team will return to the table and pursue YOUR concerns. Reminds me of an cheer from the old Cairo Pilot basketball days: "We-are-fired-up...we are fired up!"

Okay, two more items...that require absolutely no editorializing from me:

• I'm an old pack cat...I have boxes and file cabinets full of documents, as far back as my first single-year term as President, circa 1981. The documents to which I now refer, however, are NOT old. They are the "Annual Statement of Affairs Summary for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2008"...from Cairo, Century, and Meridian.

  Century has reportedly given its teachers a 3-year contract calling for 6% raises. Meridian has reportedly given its teacher a 3-year contract calling for 5% raises. Cairo has offered...not so much.

  Cairo's "excuse"...the existence of a Financial Oversight Panel (FOP) - the direct result of the BOEs actions during the 2002 strike, refusing to make up the 17 days missed...throwing away $500,000. According to their "spin", FOP = BROKE.

  Well, my advice is "Don't listen to them." But, hey, "Don't listen to me." See for yourself!

  (Okay, in proof-reading the above, gotta admit...my tendency to "editorialize to heighten emotion" just burst forth. But...YOUR BAD; remember, YOU got me fired up again!)

• The second item, I shall restrain myself...

  I don't have to editorialize, because someone else did it for me. Evidently frustrated by my "calmness", another CAT stepped forward and filled the void. This CAT spoke from the heart...expressing the hurt felt upon reading the BOE's latest offer. It is this passion that inspires me to "suck it up" and do whatever is necessary to see that justice is done.

  The "commentary", which I have taken the liberty of naming "A CAT Speaks" deserves to stand on its own. Therefore, it will be delivered/posted separately.

Together, We Can...