The Win

Administrators asked--not required--to report

After CPAA pointed out that--contrary to CPS claims--the Governor is not requiring CPS to compel administrators to report to work, CPS sent out a new communication to principals on Sunday with the following headers:

   From: Communication, Internal
   Date: Sun, Mar 15, 2020, at 2:45 PM
   Subject: Information to Help You Prepare for ... COVID-19

Under the subheading, “Why are administrators being asked to work in-person?” the word “asked” is italicized by the district to make it clear that administrators are being asked to report to school rather than required to do so.

The same communication states, "... an administrator should report from 8 AM–2 PM.”

It states, “an” administrator should report because neither the school principal nor AP has to be that administrator. If you choose not to report, your network chief must find a substitute so long as you attempt to ask a teacher with an administrative endorsement to report in your place.

In summary, those administrators who want to report to school may do so, and those who feel compelled to stay home and keep themselves and their loved ones safe may do so as well, so long as they ask a staff member to report in their place and inform the network chief. While many members rightfully feel that they shouldn’t even be asked, this is a small win.

Despite this win, we must continue to oppose other aspects of the COVID-19 report-to-work policy.

The Slap in the Face:

Jackson and McDade Justify 10% COVID-19 Pay with Half-Truth

Most staff get a 50% premium on top of their regular earnings for working during the COVID-19 closings, and teachers get their instructional rate of nearly $50/hr. Given these two facts, the 10% compensation premium for administrators who work during the closings is an insult. To make matters worse, on Sunday, CPS released an explanation for the 10% policy that is even more insulting than the policy itself. The March 15 email--signed by Janice Jackson and LaTanya McDade--states that administrators are getting a significantly lower rate because (1) support staff already earn lower salaries and (2) support staff are being asked to work full days on-site during the closure while administrators are able to work only partial days on-site. This excuse conveniently ignores the fact that an experienced teacher with an administrative endorsement will be paid an instructional rate of nearly $250 per day for the same "partial day" that CPS will pay an existing principal or AP about $44 per day depending on that AP's base salary.

A Story of Disrespect, in Two Charts

Question 1: Agree/Disagree
"The amount of premium compensation will have no impact on my decision to report."

Question 2: Agree/Disagree
"CPS's 10% premium for administrators is an act of disrespect."

Together these charts tell us that even though a supermajority of respondents indicated the premium payment would not be a factor in their decision to report to school, nearly 86% feel deeply insulted by the 10% policy. One principal put it succinctly with the quote highlighted below.

"Whether 10% or 50% we shouldn't be asked to come in, but the 10% further substantiates the disrespect."

CPAA Response

It is important to note that CPS is targeting this contemptuous compensation policy toward administrators because administrators are non-union staff. This further magnifies the importance of Senate Bill 3803 written by CPAA to give union collective bargaining rights to Chicago school administrators. The bill was filed in the Illinois Senate on February 14, 2020, and we will continue to push for its passage. In the meantime, CPAA will continue to push the district to reverse this policy and compensate administrators who report to work during the closings with a 50% premium. We will also be releasing the final survey results soon. I will end this message with the words of a veteran CPS principal.

"I am definitely in the 'high risk' group. CPS always says how 'important' principals are to the system. But you don't put your 'most important people' at risk. I can't believe their words anymore."