Union-busting charters honoring Cesar Chavez?!
I'm re-posting another item from Mike Klonsky's blog. It speaks for itself about the larger context on charter schools. This is, of course, aimed at those who mistakenly think that liberal/progressives can support today's charter schools without selling out their principles.
Chavez and DuBois rolling in their graves?
Since we're on the topic of teacher unions and charter schools, does anyone else think it strange that several charter schools named after the great union leader Cesar Chavez, don't allow their teachers to join teachers union? For example, there's the Cesar Chavez Academy in Detroit, run by the Lansing Michigan based, for-profit Leona Group for a hefty fee of $1.5 million per year. Leona is an anti-union bunch that also subcontracts to run schools in post-Katrina New Orleans.
SmallTalk scoop on the Leona Group
Once they got their charter application approved, the non-profit New Orleans Charter School Foundation immediately went out and hired the Leona Group, to operate their K-8 school and a high school. Leona had previously been hired by a Florida non-profit, the Athenian Academy to open two charter schools in Pasco County. They had been fired from its previous charter operations in a Michigan district after test scores plummeted. As it tured out, Leona couldn’t get it together in New Orleans in time for the 2005 opening and had to push the schedule back a year. But by hiding behind their partner non-profit, Leona suffered no consequences even though an on-time opening was desperately needed by Katrina-ravaged residents. Despite a spotty record of school management, Leona continues to thrive in the ownership society business climate. According to the Muskegon Chronicle: “Tri-Valley Academy, the county's oldest charter school, used Lansing-based management firm Leona Group for most of its 10-year existence. Last spring, the school board fired Leona, and is expected to submit a new school improvement plan…that reflects the leadership of its new management company.”
Then there's the Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy (that's a lot of publics for one name, isn't it?) with such notables on their board as Albert Lord, president of Sallie Mae, Inc., a privatized company now being investigated by congress for education loan irregularities. Hmmm, I see Eduwonk's Andrew Rotherham is also on that board.
Of course we can't forget Chester Finn, whose neocon Fordham Foundation double dips as both charter school authorizer and charter school operator. Finn, a sworn enemy of teacher unions, operates the Veritas/Cesar Chavez Academy in Cincinnati.
Finn and Fordham took some heat after raving about Cincinnati's W.E.B. DuBois Charter (DuBois, for those who don't know, was also a big fan of organized labor). The school’s founder and leader, Wilson H. Willard, was described as a “role model for charter schools” by Terry Ryan, Fordham's vice president for Ohio programs and policy.
Last year, however,Willard the role model, was indicted by the state on charges of stealing money from school coffers and falsifying enrollment records. He left the school before the start of this academic year. Fordham then became the school's sponsor, as charter authorizers are called in Ohio. So now, neocon Finn runs schools named after DuBois and Chavez with no collective bargaining rights for teachers allowed.
— Caroline (quoting Mike Klonsky)
Labels: Charters
3 Comments:
Hello Caroline.
I find it interesting to read your " google alerts" on Charter schools. You are a dedicated school advocate and have really researched the topics.
I happen to be one of the Charter school parents that is absolutely thrilled with my schools. I , too , volunteer and have found a great community in the schools we chose.
It is interesting to read your critiques of charter schools: neo-conservative, corrupt, and sometimes hurting the district. Funny; but these same issues can be said of some school districts. I agree that some chartering agencies seem dubious; fortunately I have not had to deal with any of those issues.
I read your comments, and although I rarely agree,I do respect your perspective. I must admit though, MY family is very fortunate to have 2 charter schools for our children! They are successful,organized, and respected models for the community!
Anonymous, that's FANTASTIC! Do you have a bumper sticker that reads "MY CHILD IS AN HONOR STUDENT AND A SUCCESSFUL, ORGANIZED, AND RESPECTED MODEL FOR THE COMMUNITY"?
That would be SUPER!
Very interesting information here... I'm fascinated that the Leona Group is being discussed out in SF. I worked for them for years and was involved in trying to unionize a Detroit charter. We were effectively shut down by skillful legal maneuvering. The Leona Group spent a LOT of money to keep unions out of a school named after Cesar Chavez.... a whole lot. They people they hired to defeat the union drive (a PR fix-it main to spin the teachers and a team of high priced lawyers) did not come cheap. Very interesting indeed. They made some minor changes to placate teachers... and the union effort fizzled. It was a pretty sophisticated campaign in deep hypocrisy. The schools this year are filled to brim with kids who bring in more money.
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