Contrasts Flexibility
Klein Praises UFT, Raps CSA

By HOWARD MEGDAL

Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein praised the United Federation of Teachers, but took the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators to task during a wide-ranging conversation about city schools.

The Chief-Leader/Pat Arnow EVERYDAY HE WRITES THE BOOK: Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein has overcome a rocky early relationship with the United Federation of Teachers to collaborate on changes in the union contract that both sides believe will benefit education, but he continues to feud with the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators over his push for contract changes that could leave Assistant Principals less secure.

As he enters his fifth year, the Chancellor, who has often clashed with UFT President Randi Weingarten, praised her for flexibility on issues ranging from not imposing excess Teachers on schools to the negotiated "open transfer" policy.

Rate 'Enormous Credit'

"I made a decision with the UFT not to impose these Teachers on teams that were already in place," Mr. Klein said during a roundtable discussion with education reporters at Department of Education headquarters. "Meanwhile, 2,800 Teachers took advantage of the new transfer policy. I give the UFT enormous credit for taking this step."

Ms. Weingarten echoed the Chancellor's sentiments at a Sept. 6 news conference. "There's been a lot of talk about excessed [Assistant Principals], but not a lot of talk about the more than 2,700 Teachers that took advantage of the open transfer policy," she said.

The new policy allowed Teachers to apply for any opening, allowing many to find schools closer to where they live. Under the old system, senior Teachers had the right to bump their junior colleagues out of their positions.

Mr. Klein went on to describe the Lead Teacher program as a "way the school culture will continue to change." Lead Teachers circulate throughout schools, mentoring less-experienced educators.

Simpatico With Principals

Mr. Klein continued his policy of praising the Principals while taking shots at the union representing them. He said that he'd heard from many of the 331 Principals in Accountability Zones, where school leaders receive greater leeway on budget questions in exchange for agreeing to meet certain performance goals.

"I've received tons of e-mails from Principals thanking me for this opportunity," he said. "You're already seeing this policy paying dividends."

But when asked about the CSA's working under an expired contract since July 1, 2003, he refused to take responsibility for the stalemate.

"A contract is negotiated with two parties," Mr. Klein said. "There are still things yet to be resolved." He expressed surprise over the CSA's opposition to his decision not to force Principals to accept 52 APs who were left out of school teams due to budgetary and staff reorganization on schools, and even read from a letter he said came from a Principal that was effusive in its praise for the policy change.

In an interview the same day as the Chancellor's briefing, CSA President Jill S. Levy responded by saying, "If he permits Principals and Superintendents to cut positions, thereby putting people into these situations because of performances, this is not following the contract and his own rules and regulations. You mark them unsatisfactory, and move to terminate them. Don't just dump them on others."