I’m not a huge fan of boxing because there doesn’t seem to be a sport involved. Just rounds and rounds of bloody punches while the spectators flinch and applaud at the same time.
And here I find myself watching a nasty boxing match between two heavy weights. Only now, thanks to Obama, this boxing match has turned into some sort of WWF Wrestling Smack-Down.
In one corner: Central Falls High School in Rhode Island. This school offers grades 10-12 and has been one of the lowest-achieving schools in the state according to the Providence Journal. There are 808 students attending Central Falls High School with 96% of those students living in poverty. There are 74 teachers.
In the other corner: Frances Gallo, the school’s superintendent. Gallo announced on January 11, that she wanted to “replace the principal, implement school-wide reforms, including longer school days and more flexible school schedules”. Gallo is supported by State Commissioner, Deborah A. Gist, who gave the order to reform 6 schools in Providence. Read the Commissioner’s 16 page protocol for intervention in low-performing schools here.
Round one: Negotiations. Gallo met with teachers’ union officials to make her demands. Union official James Parisi said that Gallo had made a lot of demands on teachers that include longer working hours and shorter vacation time in the summer, but was not willing to pay teachers enough for the additional time and workload demanded.
Round two: After failed negotiations, the Rhode Island School Board voted to fire all teachers at Central Falls High School in Rhode Island. The firings of the teachers, as well as administrators and other personnel, will be effective at the end of this school year.
Knock out!: Obama, dressed as Hulk Hogan, storms down the aisle, head butts a few teachers on his way to the ring, rips off his already ripped shirt, hops in the ring, and tag teams Frances Gallo. And in one punch:
KNOCKOUT!! KNOCKOUT!! RHODE ISLAND TEACHERS ON THE MAT!!!
I predict we’ll be seeing another “Beer Summit” with the teachers and Gallo at the White House anyday now.
Check out these resources to get some more perspective on the matter:
