Monday, March 22, 2010
Spring Break the Bourgeoisie!
Self-Organized Walkouts and Protests Spread in Modesto Area
While occupations and protests at university campuses have died down since the March 4th Day of Action, in the Modesto area, students, teachers, and community members have launched a series of actions largely independent of any formal group or organization.
In the Spring, local school districts announced the possible closure of various schools in the area. California teachers also discovered that thousands of them would be laid off as the state issued pink slips. Meanwhile, in the local area, administrators with the district continue to in many cases, more than $200,000 a year and receive kick downs in the form of things like travel allowances. As one student recently pointed out at a board meeting, "Where are you traveling to, Argentina?" The recent budget crisis has exposed class lines and dug up old antagonisms that have always existed, but are now much more pronounced. The actions of students in particular are showing the way forward for the rest of the working and poor population that must respond to ongoing attacks against it.
In late February, parents and kids began a series of protests and marches in Salida (located 5 minutes north of Modesto), against the closure of a middle school. Much like the situation in Modesto, administrators and managers are paid in the range of 200K+, leaving many to ask why children and labor must suffer while the rich continue to wallow in wealth.
In mid-March, students at Modesto City Schools also responded to the lay offs of several hundred teachers by organizing a round of walk out strikes at their schools. At Davis High School, several hundred students walked out, and at Johansen High School, according to the Modesto Bee, 25 students walked out, despite a heavy police presence. At Enochs High School, student plans for a walkout were discovered by administration, who then offered to give the students "whatever they wanted," in return for a promise of no walkout. Students then demanded the use of two lunch periods for a rally, the printing (free of charge) of flyers designed by the students, and the use of a PA system.
On Monday, March 22nd, students from various schools that have been involved in these actions gathered in downtown Modesto to march on the Modesto City Schools District Office, in order to address board members and demand an end to the lay offs. The mood in the room was tense, with students and union members addressing the board demanding that administrators - not teachers and students face the ax.
Students have stated in the Modesto City Schools District that if the school board does not rehire the teachers that have been laid off, then they will launch another round of walk out strikes, this time, district wide. Students will have to be on guard for several things in the future however, firstly, the desire of the school administration to keep these protests in the "proper channels." While even the bureaucrats claim that they are on the side of education, their desire to keep the protests non-disruptive is a way of managing them and keeping them from being effective. The only way forward is to disrupt. To walk out. To strike. Students are workers in the education factory and their greatest power is in refusal. The spirit of student disruption is also fresh; in 2006, students by the thousands in the Modesto area walked out of school on strike leading up to May 1st in protest against racist anti-immigrant legislation
Many teachers must learn that students must have autonomy and control over their own struggles. They cannot direct them, only act in solidarity with them, which also means acting in their own interests as well. Lastly, we must all resist the power of the police to try and stop these events from happening as well as support various students that may face repression from their actions. Teachers are also in a position to act in more confrontational ways, being that so many of them are facing the unemployment line. Working together, students and staff can form united groups of people that can take action; outside and against the existing framework of power.
Students in public education face many challenges, but are in a position to possibly explode the struggle against budget cuts into a wider rupture with capitalism. Students in the local area aren't some weird group on a far away campus, they are the sons and daughters of all of us. They struggle against attacks on their own conditions but also on the conditions of other workers. They see the gulf between the order givers and the order takers. Between the bosses and the workers. The message is on the board: the rich want a class war. Let us give them one.
SCHOOL IS OUT!
CHOP THE TOP - NO LAYOFFS!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Modesto Anarcho T-Shirts are here!
All sales go to benefit MA, pay for our P.O. Box (rent due this month) and finance our Prison Literature Project. Towards this end, we're asking $20 per shirt (postage paid), or ask us for shipping multiple shirts.
To order, please email brennus@modestoanarcho.org. We're trying to do all orders via paypal, but if you prefer well-concealed cash we can arrange that as well. Just email us first so we can reserve your size(s)!
Send well hidden cash to:
Modesto Anarcho
PO Box 3027
Modesto, CA 95353
or
Use the pay pal link on the side and order a shirt. But be sure to be specific about what size you want.
Dooda Desert Rock Event
Thanks to those with the Dooda Desert Rock campaign who came through tonight and everyone who came out to support the event and donate funds. Find out more information on their website here.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Education Workers in the Valley Face Massive Layoffs, Kids Walkout in Solidarity
As NUMMI workers are faced with massive layoffs in the bay, (which will also have huge ramifications in the valley due to the many people who work there), education workers are also facing massive layoffs as well. Students recently at Johansen staged a walk out against the firing of teachers. View that video here.
Nearly 1 in 5 Stanislaus County educators get layoff warnings
From Modesto Bee
At least 964 Stanislaus County educators have been notified they may lose their jobs in July. That's more than 17 percent of the teachers, counselors, librarians and administrators in the county's public schools.
Statewide, the layoff total tops 23,255, which is about 13 percent of California's more than 300,000 educators.
Monday was the deadline for warning educators they may lose their jobs when this school year ends.
Half of the teachers at Harriette Kirschen Elementary School received termination notices as budget cuts continue to plague the Modesto City School District, Monday afternoon. First grade teacher Melissa Morgan talks about the layoffs. Co-worker Araceli Martinez to the left. March 15, 2010
Many of those warned have "bumping rights," so they may be able to work in other positions within their districts. Administrators, for example, might be able to move back into classrooms, or counselors could replace teachers with less seniority.
All those bumping scenarios increased the number of layoff warnings delivered throughout Modesto City Schools. Initially, about 300 teachers, librarians and counselors were told to expect them, but 517 were handed out by Monday. The district also warned 67 managers they could be laid off.
Bad day at Kirschen
The notices particularly devastated the staff at Kirschen Elementary in Modesto, where about half the teachers were told their jobs are in jeopardy. Educators with as many as 10 years' seniority in the district got notices.
"I absolutely love doing what I do," said Kirschen first-grade teacher Tonja Jackson, 37, who received a layoff warning.
She began teaching in Modesto City Schools three years ago, and she earns about $60,000 per year because she opted out of medical benefits. "I'm here at 6:30 in the morning, leave at 3:30 and bring work home with me."
Jackson and her husband bought a house two years ago, but she thinks she may have to move out of California to find another teaching job.
Melissa Morgan, another Kirschen first-grade teacher, said she was considering buying a home before she got her warning. The 26-year-old teacher earns $54,000 per year, plus benefits. Now she fears she may end up on unemployment.
"We don't do it for the money," said Morgan, whose mother was a teacher. "We do it because we love these kids."
Some teachers wonder whether the administrators making the budget cuts are focused on educating children.
Modesto City Schools must slash at least $25 million from its budget for the next school year because of declining enrollment and shrinking tax dollars. The district's school board members have said that for every 1 percent in salaries the schools trim, the district will save $2 million.
"We are all willing to take a pay cut if that would save jobs," Morgan said.
Trustees have proposed teachers take 16 percent pay cuts to help balance the budget. Contract negotiations between teachers and the district began last week.
"Whatever salary decrease we have to take, the people in the brick building should take, too," Jackson insisted.
The "brick building" is filled by administrators, including Superintendent Arturo Flores, who earns $217,344 per year plus perks, including a $7,800 annual car allowance.
"We've lost field trips and many things that make school fun and interesting for children," Jackson said. "So maybe administrators can lose their car allowances."
So far, Modesto City Schools have not proposed cutting administrators' pay, but typically the district negotiates its manager salaries after teacher union negotiations are settled.
Some bosses' pay cut
In Ceres, however, school administrators agreed to 8.5 percent pay cuts in January. The Ceres district is negotiating similar salary reductions with its unions, which is why it did not send layoff notices.
Patterson administrators cut administrative salaries 4 percent last year and 4 percent this year.
Districts throughout Stanislaus are making tough budget choices this spring because the state is proposing to cut $2.4 billion in education funding.
Read more: http://www.modbee.com/2010/03/15/1089247/nearly-1-in-5-stanislaus-county.html#ixzz0iMwUrDEZ
Nearly 1 in 5 Stanislaus County educators get layoff warnings
From Modesto Bee
At least 964 Stanislaus County educators have been notified they may lose their jobs in July. That's more than 17 percent of the teachers, counselors, librarians and administrators in the county's public schools.
Statewide, the layoff total tops 23,255, which is about 13 percent of California's more than 300,000 educators.
Monday was the deadline for warning educators they may lose their jobs when this school year ends.
Half of the teachers at Harriette Kirschen Elementary School received termination notices as budget cuts continue to plague the Modesto City School District, Monday afternoon. First grade teacher Melissa Morgan talks about the layoffs. Co-worker Araceli Martinez to the left. March 15, 2010
Many of those warned have "bumping rights," so they may be able to work in other positions within their districts. Administrators, for example, might be able to move back into classrooms, or counselors could replace teachers with less seniority.
All those bumping scenarios increased the number of layoff warnings delivered throughout Modesto City Schools. Initially, about 300 teachers, librarians and counselors were told to expect them, but 517 were handed out by Monday. The district also warned 67 managers they could be laid off.
Bad day at Kirschen
The notices particularly devastated the staff at Kirschen Elementary in Modesto, where about half the teachers were told their jobs are in jeopardy. Educators with as many as 10 years' seniority in the district got notices.
"I absolutely love doing what I do," said Kirschen first-grade teacher Tonja Jackson, 37, who received a layoff warning.
She began teaching in Modesto City Schools three years ago, and she earns about $60,000 per year because she opted out of medical benefits. "I'm here at 6:30 in the morning, leave at 3:30 and bring work home with me."
Jackson and her husband bought a house two years ago, but she thinks she may have to move out of California to find another teaching job.
Melissa Morgan, another Kirschen first-grade teacher, said she was considering buying a home before she got her warning. The 26-year-old teacher earns $54,000 per year, plus benefits. Now she fears she may end up on unemployment.
"We don't do it for the money," said Morgan, whose mother was a teacher. "We do it because we love these kids."
Some teachers wonder whether the administrators making the budget cuts are focused on educating children.
Modesto City Schools must slash at least $25 million from its budget for the next school year because of declining enrollment and shrinking tax dollars. The district's school board members have said that for every 1 percent in salaries the schools trim, the district will save $2 million.
"We are all willing to take a pay cut if that would save jobs," Morgan said.
Trustees have proposed teachers take 16 percent pay cuts to help balance the budget. Contract negotiations between teachers and the district began last week.
"Whatever salary decrease we have to take, the people in the brick building should take, too," Jackson insisted.
The "brick building" is filled by administrators, including Superintendent Arturo Flores, who earns $217,344 per year plus perks, including a $7,800 annual car allowance.
"We've lost field trips and many things that make school fun and interesting for children," Jackson said. "So maybe administrators can lose their car allowances."
So far, Modesto City Schools have not proposed cutting administrators' pay, but typically the district negotiates its manager salaries after teacher union negotiations are settled.
Some bosses' pay cut
In Ceres, however, school administrators agreed to 8.5 percent pay cuts in January. The Ceres district is negotiating similar salary reductions with its unions, which is why it did not send layoff notices.
Patterson administrators cut administrative salaries 4 percent last year and 4 percent this year.
Districts throughout Stanislaus are making tough budget choices this spring because the state is proposing to cut $2.4 billion in education funding.
Read more: http://www.modbee.com/2010/03/15/1089247/nearly-1-in-5-stanislaus-county.html#ixzz0iMwUrDEZ
Saturday, March 6, 2010
More Valley Schools May Face Closure
Struggling Modesto, Turlock schools face dramatic changes
Robertson Road Elementary, Turlock High among state's lowest-achieving schools
From Modesto Bee
Officials confirmed Saturday that west Modesto's Robertson Road Elementary School and Turlock High School are among California's "persistently lowest-achieving schools" — a state designation that will trigger drastic action to try to improve them.
Rumors swirled Friday that that the schools were closing, and that state officials had already come to campus to lock up doors. Another rumor was that all teachers were given pink slips for next school year.
None of those are true, district and teachers union officials stressed Saturday.
DB RobertsonRd School 02.jpg
Modesto Bee - DARRYL BUSH/dbush@modbee.com The front entrance to Robertson Road School, in Modesto, Calif., on Saturday, March 6, 2010.
*
The designation brings with it stiff action to turn the schools around, including replacing principals and half the schools' staff, converting to charter schools or closing the schools.
Administrators said Saturday they haven't decided which of four turn-around choices to use.
The state Department of Education is preparing a list of the bottom 5 percent of California's 10,000 schools — the rankings are based on student performance on state tests in English and math.
The full list of "persistently lowest-achieving schools" will be released Monday morning and more Stanislaus County schools could be on it. Friday, administrators started informing staff at schools on the list, including Robertson Road and Turlock High.
Robertson Road Elementary, Turlock High among state's lowest-achieving schools
From Modesto Bee
Officials confirmed Saturday that west Modesto's Robertson Road Elementary School and Turlock High School are among California's "persistently lowest-achieving schools" — a state designation that will trigger drastic action to try to improve them.
Rumors swirled Friday that that the schools were closing, and that state officials had already come to campus to lock up doors. Another rumor was that all teachers were given pink slips for next school year.
None of those are true, district and teachers union officials stressed Saturday.
DB RobertsonRd School 02.jpg
Modesto Bee - DARRYL BUSH/dbush@modbee.com The front entrance to Robertson Road School, in Modesto, Calif., on Saturday, March 6, 2010.
*
The designation brings with it stiff action to turn the schools around, including replacing principals and half the schools' staff, converting to charter schools or closing the schools.
Administrators said Saturday they haven't decided which of four turn-around choices to use.
The state Department of Education is preparing a list of the bottom 5 percent of California's 10,000 schools — the rankings are based on student performance on state tests in English and math.
The full list of "persistently lowest-achieving schools" will be released Monday morning and more Stanislaus County schools could be on it. Friday, administrators started informing staff at schools on the list, including Robertson Road and Turlock High.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Anger Over Education Cuts in Central Valley Leads to Walkouts, Occupation, and Clashes With Police
Students, faculty protest at CSU Stanislaus in 'Day of Action'
Modesto Bee Article here.
Pictures here.
Taking Action article.
People rally in Merced.
Hundreds March in Stockton.
Students in Fresno Occupy their school. More info here. Video here.
UC Davis Students Clash with Police.
Report from Fresno Occupiers.
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