With respect to CAT Tracks:

• Hey, CAT Tracks can dish it out...we can take it!

• The views expressed in CAT Tracks faithfully reflect the views of the vast majority of its members.

With respect to the Superintendent's apology:

• There was disagreement as to the veracity of the apology...
  • Some members were not impressed, indicating that the Superintendent seemed to be saying that he "was sorry" that members had misinterpreted his innocent remarks as racial. These skeptics referenced the Superintendent's citing of the School Report Card that was distributed...that the Report Card broke things down as Black, White, Hispanic...that surely no one would claim racism there!

  • Other members were inclined to accept the Superintendent's apology...and move on.

• The apology was coupled with an appeal for the need to work together to accomplish the goals of the District.

Let me say this about that...

CAT has tried repeatedly to work with the District administration...forever. Unfortunately, our efforts have been spurned...repeatedly. The two "camps" have warred against each other since the "recognition strike" of 1978 through "nuclear conflagration" in 2002, when 17 days of school went up in a mushroom cloud.

Out of the ashes of that debacle came a period of relative calm...

• The one-year term of Sam Harbin, who began his administration by making a pledge to CAT that he would change the confrontational atmosphere, bring about an era of collaboration...and KEPT HIS WORD!

• The two-year term of Gary Whitledge that continued a surface détente with CAT, while becoming side-tracked in skirmishes with individual employees.

• The half-year interim term of Bill Rogers, who had previously taught at Cairo Junior High School and Cairo High School (when they were separate attendance centers), had served as principal of Emerson and Bennett Elementaries (BOTH at the same time!) Mr. Rogers had a long-standing connection with Cairo...having owned property (including the house in which I currently reside) and having paid taxes to support the community for years. Mr. Rogers had nothing but good will and good intent toward Cairo, its schools, and its children...and showed it, time and again. Bill Rogers (along with Bill Dicus) even represented Cairo as a member of the Illinois National Guard during the first Persian Gulf War. His roots ran deep...

• The half-year interim term of Leotis Swopes...picking no fights with CAT during the second half of the 2007-2008 School Year...receiving the complete support of the CAT.

It was only when Leotis Swopes was officially hired (almost to the very day!) as permanent Superintendent that conflict with CAT began. THAT is why the "cause" for any current disputes should NOT be laid at the feet of the CAT.

The CAT turned its fuzzy cheek when it was slapped on the opening day of this school year. Oh, we "meowed" at bit, but we quickly let it go. For our efforts, we were slapped again...when the Superintendent refused to give teachers their contractually "guaranteed" step-raise. CAT has since been slapped on both its fuzzy butt-cheeks with the aforementioned racial innuendo...both at home and abroad!

Slap a CAT around long enough, expect the CAT to scratch back!

That being said...

CAT has always accepted any proffered "olive branch" from District officials. An oft-burned CAT may not yet be able to "forgive and forget"...or even to "let bygones be bygones". However, CAT has always been willing to leave the past behind and begin anew..."trusting, but verifying!"

So...

CAT readily accepts the Superintendent's apology at face value.

CAT is anxious to move forward in a collaborative manner. In fact, I would assert that the members of CAT have amply demonstrated that spirit by working without a new contract...going on 8 months now!

For any skeptical CATs out there (and the Superintendent)...rest assured that we proceed into the future with eyes wide open. There is one cliché that CAT strongly believes in...that actions speak more loudly than words.

We will soon know if the words expressed by Superintendent Swopes to the assembled employees at Wednesday's SIP Day were indeed "from the heart".

As a gesture of good faith, CAT today has removed the "scroller" from the CAT Tracks Home Page that was launched back in October 2008.