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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 3, 2013)
TEACHER’S UNION REJECTS FED GRANT The Eugene Education Association (EEA) has rejected endorsement of School District 4J’s federal “Race to the Top” grant application, citing “grave concerns over in- creased workload for teachers and specialists and because of inadequate time given to analyze the 170-page appli- cation,” according to a statement emailed Oct. 1 to EEA members from EEA President Tad Shannon. The application outlined a $30 million, four-year pro- posal and was written by a consortium of the largest school districts in the state: Eugene, Salem, Beaverton and Port- land. The $30 million, if approved, would be divided be- tween the districts and used for additional career learning and individualized education initiatives, along with profes- sional development for teachers. “The grant would not have added any teachers or re- duced class size,” wrote Shannon. “EEA only received a draft of the full application last week, despite a federal re- quirement of buy-in by the unions representing teachers in each of the four districts and a tight Oct. 3 deadline.” Shannon said the grant would not restore any of the nine furlough days in the district. “In fact, it adds to the work- load of teachers who are already stretched to the breaking point,” he said. The EEA is not alone in its objections. The Portland Teachers Association and the Beaverton Teachers Associa- tion also voted this week to not sign off on the grant, cit- ing similar concerns about increased teacher workload and inadequate time. Shannon said District 4J applied for a similar grant last year but was not selected. “Then, as now,” he wrote, “EEA questioned the limited time given to analyze last year’s proposal. However, EEA did negotiate an agreement to limit additional workload. Why then, did EEA leadership opt not to participate this time around?” This year, he said, teachers report that stress lev- els have never been higher. New initiatives and mandates, including a comprehensive teacher eval- uation system, the Synergy grading and attendance pro- ‘It adds to the workload of teachers who are already stretched to the breaking point.’ TA D S H A N N O N gram, new grading policies and a district-mandated 3x5 schedule at the high schools have “pushed teachers to the brink,” said Shannon. The district claims that the grant would not add to workload, he said, but professional development, which requires teachers to be out of the classroom, is “an added stress as are intensive summer workshops and all the spi- noff work that would create.” Shannon quotes an unnamed EEA Executive Board member saying this week that “Teachers are already spend- ing their own time to get done all that is being asked. We just can’t add one more thing.” — Ted Taylor Cargo Bike Fair & Disaster Relief Trials Bicycles to the rescue! Ride the city-wide Disaster Relief Trials course with a cargo of canned goods destined for Food for Lane County. Cargo bike booths and activities. Celebration at Oakshire Public House. Sat. Oct. 12 S.E.H.S. 11:00 a.m. WHICH PURCHASE COULD BE ON US? Ride it for fun or glory. Short course for families! Details at facebook.com/arriving.by.bike ÓÇäxÊ7>iÌÌiÊ-ÌÊUÊx{£°{n{°x{£ä °qÀ°Ê££qÇ]Ê->Ì°Ê£äqÈ]Ê-Õ°Ê£Óqx C elebrating the Bounty of Oregon E h Friday Each F id in i October, O b SweetWaters S W on the h River Ri will ill be b showcasing the culinary harvest of Oregon. Enjoy locally raised meats, produce, seafood from the Oregon Coast, and desserts blended with regional flavors. ANY OF THEM. We will cover one randomly selected Northwest Visa Card transaction each week, up to $500 value. Will you be this week’s lucky member? Harvest Buffet Every Friday in October 5:30 – 9:30 pm Adults $29.95 Children 5-12 $ 15.00 www.nwcu.com Call now for reservations Check Facebook for the latest winners. 541-743-1000 Offer ends 12/31/13. All loans subject to approval. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice and may vary based on creditworthiness. Visit our website for more information on rates, fees, and other cost information, as applicable. If you would like to enter to win up to $500 without opening or using a credit card account with us, please fi ll out a 3x5 card with your information and drop it off at the nearest Northwest Community Credit Union branch. Or scan the QR to find us on OpenTable eugeneweekly.com • October 3, 2013 9
