Claims 'Inherent Conflict'
Klein to Principals: CSA Delaying Pact

By HOWARD MEGDAL

Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein last week continued his public relations offensive against the union representing Principals, Assistant Principals and other administrators, writing Principals directly to place blame for the current contract stalemate squarely on the union's shoulders.

JOEL I. KLEIN: Takes CSA to woodshed.

Mr. Klein said that despite a "generous" financial package offered by the city, which he claimed was on par with the terms previously reached with the United Federation of Teachers, the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators had repeatedly rejected any changes to rules on such issues as the excessing of Assistant Principals.

'Continued Inflexibility'

"The reason we haven't reached agreement has to do with CSA's continued inflexibility with respect to basic work rule reforms," Mr. Klein wrote in his letter to Principals. "From the beginning, I have had two core priorities. First, I sought to change the rules that force excessed APs on schools without regard to the wishes of Principals. Second, I sought to reform the tenure rules for APs to make them consistent with the rules that already apply to Principals. In this way, if an AP is not performing up to standards, a principal can obtain meaningful relief. The CSA repeatedly rejected these changes."

JILL LEVY: There he goes again.

But CSA President Jill S. Levy said that the city's demands for changes on work rules are for all supervisors, Principals included.

"Excessing was not one of Klein's issues remaining when we spoke together last year, but it is now the centerpiece of his demands," Ms. Levy wrote in a Nov. 8 letter to her members. "What has also been left out is that their demands on excessing are for ALL supervisors. They withdrew their original excessing demand and made it more punitive."

Mr. Klein detailed a plan to allow for Assistant Principals to have 180 days to find another position should they be excessed.

'Unwanted APs Must Go'

"Principals must be able to choose their APs so that key members of the leadership team share their vision, commitment and management. And taxpayers should not have to bear the burden of paying for made-up jobs for APs who are entitled to keep their pay and positions indefinitely even though no one wants to hire them."

Mr. Klein's message, which went on to describe "the inherent conflict for the CSA" in representing the interests of both Principals and APs, was described by Ms. Levy as "another divisive method." An e-mail earlier this year from Mr. Klein along similar lines resulted in the CSA's filing an improper practice charge against the city.

'Divisive and Punitive'

"It is unfortunate that he continues to be divisive, punitive and inconsistent," Ms. Levy said. "As a result, he has made this negotiation into a lengthy and unyielding situation."

In a week which saw the UFT hammer out a new deal 11 months ahead of schedule, Ms. Levy sought to reassure her members, who have worked under an expired contract since July 1, 2003.

"I know how upset and frustrated you are today with the announcement of a new UFT contract," she said in a separate message to members on the UFT deal. "There is nothing I can say to you that will minimize your sense of rejection and disrespect from the Chancellor and Mayor. This has been our most contentious round of bargaining because the Chancellor and Mayor want to extract your rights from your contract and state law. We have not let them do that."

She ended her letter about the Chancellor's message by invoking President Bush's recently renounced Iraq policy, urging her members to "stay the course."