BeenThere wrote on July 20, 2008 10:54 AM: As Ron Taylor's prevailing against CCEA is the exception rather than the rule of outcomes in such cases, this is the time for teachers to consider future alternatives to CCEA. Consider that the teamsters' presence in the background of this case gave Ron considerable leverage. The overwhelming majority of clueless, committed, idealistic --'dissenting' teachers-- in this district are swiftly railroaded out when they are not silenced, their teaching lives derailed by corrupt administrators and 'Teachers' advocates' from CCEA. And once you get wise to how things really work, that ubiquitous climate of fear on ccsd campuses is understandable. One can only hope Taylor further prevails in his decert efforts against CCEA. Taylor's outcome here is only the first step: in it we see other possibilities for CCSD teachers' future/eventual union representation. Unions are not the problem; CCEA is.

Mama Bear wrote on July 18, 2008 02:16 PM: And, here again is the demonstration of the incompetence of the Clark County Commission. That Commission has oversight responsible for the school district.

ABOLISH THE CLARK COUNTY COMMISSION. It is the biggest part of the problem with the school district!!!!!

Big Dog wrote on July 18, 2008 01:08 PM: Ron Taylor is a cranky old grouch...but he is RIGHT. CCEA is wrong. Johnny Jerkoff will prove Ron to be right again...Johnny Jerkoff will not appeal this ruling...100% GUARANTEED.

Former CCSD Teacher wrote on July 18, 2008 12:32 PM: Save yourself some money and talk to your homeowner's insurance group. Even if you never "teach" in your home, your homeowner's policy can cover the same type of tort situations (not criminal) that the union provides. It costs less than $10 for the entire year.

The union is good at protecting itself and harboring a political agenda. If that sounds like your cup of tea, have at it. Otherwise, I would recommend that you hit them where it really hurts...in their pocketbook.

The money you save would more than make up for a few dollars off movie tickets...and you don't have to drive to CCEA headquarters, thus saving even more money.

Travis wrote on July 18, 2008 12:01 PM: Teachers rights are consistently violated by CCSD and CCEA. Our right to free speech is restricted, along with our right to peaceful protest (not allowed to strike).

Dr J wrote on July 18, 2008 11:47 AM: Acutally, there is no good reason to join/stay in the teachers union. Non-union employees get the *exact* same health, retirement, pay and other benefits. Save your $60 a month and stay out of it.

Hillary C wrote on July 18, 2008 11:27 AM: One example of heavy-handedness by the CCEA is that the association pressured the district to shut down all discussion on InterAct's "Teacher's Lounge" (an inner-district communication site that is accessed by all teachers in Clark County) that was critical of the CCEA. Anyone who got too "critical" was censored off the site. The reason given was that criticism was “not appropriate” for an educational website. I think the real reason was that the “Teacher’s Lounge” was read by many teachers who mobilized to change things and put heat on the CCEA and the district. It must have been too effective in exposing some of the inept actions by the district administration and the CCEA – therefore they shutdown all critical discussion.

One issue that generated a lot of discussion is the inability of classroom teachers’ to remove consistently disruptive students from their classrooms. Teachers are nearly powerless to do this. Many disruptive students know this and play the system against the teacher. The CCEA claims that they resolved this issue by helping to pass a state law that supposedly allows teachers to do this. However few, if any, teachers have initiated using this law. Why? - Because the process is a lengthy, cumbersome affair – even possibly professionally dangerous for the teacher. This is because the initiating teacher can be seen as a "trouble-maker" by their administrator for pursuing this action. The result is that nothing has changed and teachers are still nearly powerless to do anything about consistently disruptive students who consume 90% of their attention - to the detriment of the rest of the class. Many teachers complained about this - I guess this issue was also "inappropriate" and not "educational". Oh, well.

Travis wrote on July 18, 2008 11:01 AM: Brian, I'm not even sure if the tort insurance is worth it.

The part about CCEA that screams conflict of interest is the consistent flow of staff from CCSD to CCEA and back to CCSD admin. CCEA reps are merely biding their time until they can be promoted to one of those cushy district admin (in the ed-shed) positions. Does anybody wonder why CCEA seem to always end up siding with CCSD in nearly all disputes? The teachers can't give the CCEA rep the promotion they are seeking.

EVERYBODY, Please vote Ron Taylor for school board. Also, please check out the website;

www.teachers4change.net

Brian wrote on July 18, 2008 10:49 AM: The CCEA is in bed with the district and doesn't care about teachers' plights at all. The only good reason to stay in the union is for the million dollar tort insurance.

Vote for Ron Taylor!

Bill wrote on July 18, 2008 10:00 AM: Most unions suck.

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