Public Outcry Saves City College Teachers
After the trail of bad press that Dawson left behind in Florida, this shouldn't be surprising. Hopefully, it's the last of it.
We'll be here if needed.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The Aftermath and the Dawsonwatch
The issue with the three teachers appears to be settled, and everyone should be proud that civil disobedience - emails and phone calls - was successful.
A few notes:
1. Marc Steiner read an e-mail regarding the issue on his show. It was on a show about crime in Baltimore, about how education is often overlooked in this city, and an example was the three teachers being reassigned or fired at City College. Steiner read the e-mail; nice job to whomever sent it in.
2. Dawson told people - including Gilbert Sandler - that the decision to move Daniels and Morrow, as well as to fire Smith was fully supported by department heads and senior staff. This is a lie. A poll of department heads and senior staff will reveal this.
4. The decision not to rally at North Avenue at the school board meeting was probably a good one, as the three teachers did in fact get their jobs back. However, this sort of move should still be examined to the fullest extent. Why would a principal move all three members of a union chapter committee? Why would he think this would be good for the school, especially with excellent teachers? Were the best interests of the school being considered?
5. Mr. Dawson's usual reaction to decisions to go to North Avenue is to dissuade it - "Oh, we're working on channels here, no need to go there" - and it's worrisome that this is what occurred with this particular incident. However, we were so happy that te jobs were given back that we didn't pursue it any more. However, it's worth remembering that Mr. Dawson doesn't want anything to blow up, so any incidents of bullying of teachers, of students, or of staff like this should be immediately reported to union members.
6. The Dawsonwatch: We had hoped that this was unneeded from now on, but Mr. Dawson has made it apparent that he is not to be trusted. He is someone who is willing to sacrifice student success when he has a political bone to pick with a teacher. We know what his M.O. is - intimidate and bully. If you feel bullied by Mr. Dawson, please e-mail concern4city@gmail.com and someone will report your incident.
This is a place to incidents of Dawson bullying at City College. Success here, and success later. The site is being run by City alum who care deeply about the school. We want to emphasize that this is a community blog, so please contribute. There is no one "city forever," but a group of people who care deeply about the school.
A few notes:
1. Marc Steiner read an e-mail regarding the issue on his show. It was on a show about crime in Baltimore, about how education is often overlooked in this city, and an example was the three teachers being reassigned or fired at City College. Steiner read the e-mail; nice job to whomever sent it in.
2. Dawson told people - including Gilbert Sandler - that the decision to move Daniels and Morrow, as well as to fire Smith was fully supported by department heads and senior staff. This is a lie. A poll of department heads and senior staff will reveal this.
4. The decision not to rally at North Avenue at the school board meeting was probably a good one, as the three teachers did in fact get their jobs back. However, this sort of move should still be examined to the fullest extent. Why would a principal move all three members of a union chapter committee? Why would he think this would be good for the school, especially with excellent teachers? Were the best interests of the school being considered?
5. Mr. Dawson's usual reaction to decisions to go to North Avenue is to dissuade it - "Oh, we're working on channels here, no need to go there" - and it's worrisome that this is what occurred with this particular incident. However, we were so happy that te jobs were given back that we didn't pursue it any more. However, it's worth remembering that Mr. Dawson doesn't want anything to blow up, so any incidents of bullying of teachers, of students, or of staff like this should be immediately reported to union members.
6. The Dawsonwatch: We had hoped that this was unneeded from now on, but Mr. Dawson has made it apparent that he is not to be trusted. He is someone who is willing to sacrifice student success when he has a political bone to pick with a teacher. We know what his M.O. is - intimidate and bully. If you feel bullied by Mr. Dawson, please e-mail concern4city@gmail.com and someone will report your incident.
This is a place to incidents of Dawson bullying at City College. Success here, and success later. The site is being run by City alum who care deeply about the school. We want to emphasize that this is a community blog, so please contribute. There is no one "city forever," but a group of people who care deeply about the school.
Victory
Below is a copy of an e-mail from Mr. Patrick Daniels that was forwarded to me:
I just met with Mr. Dawson and he has assured me that he is sending an
email to Dr. Wortham rescinding his recommendation to transfer John
and me and reinstating Sedrick. Your hard work has paid off. Thank
you all for your support, those phone calls and emails worked. He is
requesting that we do not give City College a black eye by airing our
dispute in public at this point. He indicated that this could impact
the steps that need to be taken to fully correct this situation down
at North ave.
Nerissa, Jonah, Braeden and I look forward to another school year back
at the Castle on the Hill.
City Forever
Patrick
I just met with Mr. Dawson and he has assured me that he is sending an
email to Dr. Wortham rescinding his recommendation to transfer John
and me and reinstating Sedrick. Your hard work has paid off. Thank
you all for your support, those phone calls and emails worked. He is
requesting that we do not give City College a black eye by airing our
dispute in public at this point. He indicated that this could impact
the steps that need to be taken to fully correct this situation down
at North ave.
Nerissa, Jonah, Braeden and I look forward to another school year back
at the Castle on the Hill.
City Forever
Patrick
More updates from meeting last night
So the meeting last night was apparently a success, though I heard a very disturbing story was told there. (edited)
In other news, here's a list of people at North Ave who you can e-mail to express your concern about the illegal firings:
Dr. Wortham dwortham@bcps.k12.md.us 410-396-8622
Gary Thrift gthrift@bcps.k12.md.us
Dr. Andres Alonso aalonso@bcps.k12.md.us 410-396-8804
Louise Jira ljira@bcps.k12.md.us
Also, be sure to be at the North Avenue Offices (North/Calvert) at 5:00pm today wearing your city colors in support of your teachers.
In other news, here's a list of people at North Ave who you can e-mail to express your concern about the illegal firings:
Dr. Wortham dwortham@bcps.k12.md.us 410-396-8622
Gary Thrift gthrift@bcps.k12.md.us
Dr. Andres Alonso aalonso@bcps.k12.md.us 410-396-8804
Louise Jira ljira@bcps.k12.md.us
Also, be sure to be at the North Avenue Offices (North/Calvert) at 5:00pm today wearing your city colors in support of your teachers.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Another call to arms from a student...
Our "astute and fearless" principal/dictator has illegally fired 3 teachers for their involvement in the Teachers Union
Mr. Daniels and Mr. Morrow have been Fired from City and reassigned to Mervo
Mr. Smith has been FIRED from the school system
Hey City we need to act
Below is a letter from Mr. Daniels:
On Friday I received a letter from the school board at North ave. that
I have been reassigned to Mervo. This is retaliation for being a
member of the Union Chapter Committee at City and fighting to improve
conditions at the school for students and faculty alike. Two other
members of the chapter committee were also retaliated against by Mr.
Dawson; John Morrow has been reassigned while Sedrick Smith (City
alum) has been fired (he did not have tenure). They are accusing us
of racially dividing the staff and increasing racial tension in the
school.
We are looking to go to the school board meeting at North Ave tomorrow
at 6:00pm and start to apply political pressure on Mr. Dawson. I will
update you as soon as I know something more.
Mr. Daniels and Mr. Morrow have been Fired from City and reassigned to Mervo
Mr. Smith has been FIRED from the school system
Hey City we need to act
Below is a letter from Mr. Daniels:
On Friday I received a letter from the school board at North ave. that
I have been reassigned to Mervo. This is retaliation for being a
member of the Union Chapter Committee at City and fighting to improve
conditions at the school for students and faculty alike. Two other
members of the chapter committee were also retaliated against by Mr.
Dawson; John Morrow has been reassigned while Sedrick Smith (City
alum) has been fired (he did not have tenure). They are accusing us
of racially dividing the staff and increasing racial tension in the
school.
We are looking to go to the school board meeting at North Ave tomorrow
at 6:00pm and start to apply political pressure on Mr. Dawson. I will
update you as soon as I know something more.
Who to contact about the vindictive dismissal of union chapter members Patrick Daniels, John Morrow, and Sedrick Smith
Please read through the next several postings as to the reason this website has been resurrected. Our principal, Timothy Dawson, has re-assigned or fired three bright young teachers, and, importantly, all three members of the union chapter team.
There is a school board meeting tomorrow night at 6pm at North AVenue and there will be a group of parents, students, and teachers there. More details forthcoming.
All BTU members please contact: Peggy Gladden
(pgladden@baltu.org), Marietta English (menglish@baltu.org), Loretta
Johnson (ljohnson@baltu.org) and ask them to take an interest in this
case.
Dr. Deborah Wortham is in charge of area high schools and signed off on the re-assignments and dismissal. Her e-mail of DWortham@bcps.k12.md.us. Gary Thrift (Head of Human Resource)'s is GThrift@bcps.k12.md.us.
The new CEO may not be aware of this situation as of yet his email
is aalonso@bcps.k12.md.us or at (410-396-8804). Please write him as well and maybe he will take an interest in this clear case of union busting.
Here is a list of school board members and their phone numbers can
anyone help to track down email for them as well.
School Board Members:
Brian D. Morris (chair) 410-752-1272
Kalman (Buzz) Hettleman 410-367-5439 khettleman@comcast.net
Anirban Basu 410-522-7243
Neil E. Duke 410-685-1120
Robert Heck 410-356-5600
Jerrelle Francois 410-843-8000
George M.VanHook, Sr. 410-767-8192
James W. Campbell 410-243-8688
Maxine Johnson Wood 410-516-6423
There is a school board meeting tomorrow night at 6pm at North AVenue and there will be a group of parents, students, and teachers there. More details forthcoming.
All BTU members please contact: Peggy Gladden
(pgladden@baltu.org), Marietta English (menglish@baltu.org), Loretta
Johnson (ljohnson@baltu.org) and ask them to take an interest in this
case.
Dr. Deborah Wortham is in charge of area high schools and signed off on the re-assignments and dismissal. Her e-mail of DWortham@bcps.k12.md.us. Gary Thrift (Head of Human Resource)'s is GThrift@bcps.k12.md.us.
The new CEO may not be aware of this situation as of yet his email
is aalonso@bcps.k12.md.us or at (410-396-8804). Please write him as well and maybe he will take an interest in this clear case of union busting.
Here is a list of school board members and their phone numbers can
anyone help to track down email for them as well.
School Board Members:
Brian D. Morris (chair) 410-752-1272
Kalman (Buzz) Hettleman 410-367-5439 khettleman@comcast.net
Anirban Basu 410-522-7243
Neil E. Duke 410-685-1120
Robert Heck 410-356-5600
Jerrelle Francois 410-843-8000
George M.VanHook, Sr. 410-767-8192
James W. Campbell 410-243-8688
Maxine Johnson Wood 410-516-6423
More reactions, this time from teacher
Hello everyone,
I am sure you all are aware of the outrageous punitive actions taken by our principal against three of our colleagues, Sedrick Smith, John Morrow, and Patrick Daniels. I have been out of the loop a bit but when I heard about their dismissal from City I was shocked and dismayed by the knee-jerk retaliation against three of our fine teachers and significantly, three of our Union Chapter representatives.
I for one cannot accept this lying down. I am willing to meet, write, organize, or whatever, to help reverse this most egregious act taken by a person who is supposed to represent what is best about City College.
I append a letter from Dr. ________ who is responding to one of our staff members who wishes to remain anonymous. At the time ___ wrote this letter only Sedrick Smith had been informed of his non-renewal. For further clarification, the number to Dr. Alonso's office gets you right to his secretary, but she will direct you to call Dr. Wortham's office at 410-396-8622. I suggest you immediately call both numbers to include your voice in what should be a firestorm of protest. I also suggest you contact other teachers from City so they can assist in reversing this appalling action intended only to undercut any voice of dissent from the faculty.
I do not understand why these sorts of things always happen at our school and I wish they wouldn't. Our kids deserve a more stable and educationally sound environment.
Despite this latest turmoil, I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer.
(A City Teacher)
From: _________________________
To: xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: city
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2007 03:06:35 +0000
Hi XXXXX! As soon as Sedrick told me he'd been non-renewed, I talked with the union attorney, ... I have kept him informed, and also have talked with the ACLU, who are interested in at least following the case, and maybe taking it on if the union is unsuccessful.
There's no question that Mr. Dawson violated federal and state labor law which prohibits retaliation against employees for union activity.
The only questions, as always, are the sickening procedures: Do the employees have to go through a long grievance process before litigation begins? What options for delay do the school and system administration have? If administrators delay long enough and the teachers accept reassignment or just take other jobs to pay the bills, do they complicate or even lose their right to sue, etc.?
Because of these problems, I think a broad political approach is best. Parents and faculty must try to phone both City and the new CEO, Dr. Andres Alonso (410-396-8804) immediately in large numbers, simply saying that these teachers must be re-hired at City. The alumni association should do the same. I have already spoken with about a dozen students who should also phone the school and central office. And the lawyers should send formal letters threatening legal action.
I think about 100 calls will turn this around, if they are all made with in about a one week time frame. Please keep in touch. There will obviously be repercussions afterwards, but as you know, I think struggle is for the best!!
Thanks again for writing!
I am sure you all are aware of the outrageous punitive actions taken by our principal against three of our colleagues, Sedrick Smith, John Morrow, and Patrick Daniels. I have been out of the loop a bit but when I heard about their dismissal from City I was shocked and dismayed by the knee-jerk retaliation against three of our fine teachers and significantly, three of our Union Chapter representatives.
I for one cannot accept this lying down. I am willing to meet, write, organize, or whatever, to help reverse this most egregious act taken by a person who is supposed to represent what is best about City College.
I append a letter from Dr. ________ who is responding to one of our staff members who wishes to remain anonymous. At the time ___ wrote this letter only Sedrick Smith had been informed of his non-renewal. For further clarification, the number to Dr. Alonso's office gets you right to his secretary, but she will direct you to call Dr. Wortham's office at 410-396-8622. I suggest you immediately call both numbers to include your voice in what should be a firestorm of protest. I also suggest you contact other teachers from City so they can assist in reversing this appalling action intended only to undercut any voice of dissent from the faculty.
I do not understand why these sorts of things always happen at our school and I wish they wouldn't. Our kids deserve a more stable and educationally sound environment.
Despite this latest turmoil, I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer.
(A City Teacher)
From: _________________________
To: xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: city
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2007 03:06:35 +0000
Hi XXXXX! As soon as Sedrick told me he'd been non-renewed, I talked with the union attorney, ... I have kept him informed, and also have talked with the ACLU, who are interested in at least following the case, and maybe taking it on if the union is unsuccessful.
There's no question that Mr. Dawson violated federal and state labor law which prohibits retaliation against employees for union activity.
The only questions, as always, are the sickening procedures: Do the employees have to go through a long grievance process before litigation begins? What options for delay do the school and system administration have? If administrators delay long enough and the teachers accept reassignment or just take other jobs to pay the bills, do they complicate or even lose their right to sue, etc.?
Because of these problems, I think a broad political approach is best. Parents and faculty must try to phone both City and the new CEO, Dr. Andres Alonso (410-396-8804) immediately in large numbers, simply saying that these teachers must be re-hired at City. The alumni association should do the same. I have already spoken with about a dozen students who should also phone the school and central office. And the lawyers should send formal letters threatening legal action.
I think about 100 calls will turn this around, if they are all made with in about a one week time frame. Please keep in touch. There will obviously be repercussions afterwards, but as you know, I think struggle is for the best!!
Thanks again for writing!
From a student, class of 2007
Dawson has fired/reassigned City College's Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU) Representative and Committee.
Mr. Patrick Daniels who served 4 years in the English Department and Mr. John Morrow who served 5 years in the Social Studies and teaches the highest IB course availible in Social Studies have both been reassigned by Dawson to the Mervo.
Mr. Sedrick Smith, an alum of City College who served 2 years in the Social Studies Department, has been FIRED from the system.
The major problem with these teachers reassignment/firing is that they are among the best and brightest that the City College faculty has to offer, not to mention that they were fired for their roles in the BTU at City. This is ridiculous and something needs to be done about it...
We're working on it...
In case you missed it - here's Dawson's previous history of union busting: Dawson's history
Mr. Patrick Daniels who served 4 years in the English Department and Mr. John Morrow who served 5 years in the Social Studies and teaches the highest IB course availible in Social Studies have both been reassigned by Dawson to the Mervo.
Mr. Sedrick Smith, an alum of City College who served 2 years in the Social Studies Department, has been FIRED from the system.
The major problem with these teachers reassignment/firing is that they are among the best and brightest that the City College faculty has to offer, not to mention that they were fired for their roles in the BTU at City. This is ridiculous and something needs to be done about it...
We're working on it...
In case you missed it - here's Dawson's previous history of union busting: Dawson's history
Dawson's history of union busting
A dire situation has forced the re-creation of City Forever?
While we are unsure of how to proceed on this end, we want to point out previous examples of Mr. Dawson's union-busting.
Check out this scary article:
Toxic Avenger:
Killian High teacher Charles Boldwyn says he's being railroaded for blowing the whistle on a paint scandal
Dawson has a history of busting unions and has gotten away with it.
He must not get away with it this time.
More coming...
While we are unsure of how to proceed on this end, we want to point out previous examples of Mr. Dawson's union-busting.
Check out this scary article:
Toxic Avenger:
Killian High teacher Charles Boldwyn says he's being railroaded for blowing the whistle on a paint scandal
Dawson has a history of busting unions and has gotten away with it.
He must not get away with it this time.
More coming...
Saturday, July 07, 2007
A rundown of the 2006-2007 school year
September: The school year starts out on a positive note, as the school has bonded togther over the vandalism of August 2006. This blog appears to be dead because no one had taken up the reins after the glass of 2006 graduated.
October: Football team winning a lot of games, mostly on the backs of players who probably shouldn't be at City. Lots of recruiting at neighborhood schools for good players, to the chagrin of other athletic programs in the city, as well as several faculty, who notice that many of the recruited athletes are not academically prepared or motivated for City. In addition, athletes are simply treated differently by administration.
November: Faculty notices that absolutely nothing is done about disciplinary referrals to the point where it is comical. Who is in charge of discipline at the school? No one knows.
December: In an effort to bring some respect back to City, the administration begins a decorum system, in which teachers can send a student down to the decorum room for using bad language, having electronics out, or violating the dress code. The program works very well for a few weeks, and then administration drops it without telling the faculty.
January: The fact that administration is never in the hallway is becoming more and more apparent. Faculty morale is low and getting lower. The halls are teeming with students all the time. Heaters break, interrupting the school day many times.
February: Mr. Dawson is gone for nearly the entire month, including a trip to the Super Bowl in Miami, as well as to several conferences. Hallways continue to erode.
March/April: Hallways continue to be terrible. Trash piles up everywhere. No soap in bathrooms. Several fires are started that force evacuation of the building. Some teachers get together to organize a Vote of No Confidence in the largely absent administration. Mr. Geppi catches wind of it and tells Dawson, who plans a faculty meeting (which he actually attends) in which faculty brings up issues in the school, from hallways to behavior to lack of follow through and organization.
May: For the most part, the administration starts to get visible in the hallways. It's clearly too little, too late, and too much in the morning and not enough in the afternoons, but the effort is nice to see.
June: Students who assault teachers with eggs and vandalize the school and the cars in the parking lot - and are caught - are STILL allowed not only to participate in Senior closing activities. They not only walk the stage, but they are allowed to SING during Senior farewell. What a mockery of the discipline system at City!
October: Football team winning a lot of games, mostly on the backs of players who probably shouldn't be at City. Lots of recruiting at neighborhood schools for good players, to the chagrin of other athletic programs in the city, as well as several faculty, who notice that many of the recruited athletes are not academically prepared or motivated for City. In addition, athletes are simply treated differently by administration.
November: Faculty notices that absolutely nothing is done about disciplinary referrals to the point where it is comical. Who is in charge of discipline at the school? No one knows.
December: In an effort to bring some respect back to City, the administration begins a decorum system, in which teachers can send a student down to the decorum room for using bad language, having electronics out, or violating the dress code. The program works very well for a few weeks, and then administration drops it without telling the faculty.
January: The fact that administration is never in the hallway is becoming more and more apparent. Faculty morale is low and getting lower. The halls are teeming with students all the time. Heaters break, interrupting the school day many times.
February: Mr. Dawson is gone for nearly the entire month, including a trip to the Super Bowl in Miami, as well as to several conferences. Hallways continue to erode.
March/April: Hallways continue to be terrible. Trash piles up everywhere. No soap in bathrooms. Several fires are started that force evacuation of the building. Some teachers get together to organize a Vote of No Confidence in the largely absent administration. Mr. Geppi catches wind of it and tells Dawson, who plans a faculty meeting (which he actually attends) in which faculty brings up issues in the school, from hallways to behavior to lack of follow through and organization.
May: For the most part, the administration starts to get visible in the hallways. It's clearly too little, too late, and too much in the morning and not enough in the afternoons, but the effort is nice to see.
June: Students who assault teachers with eggs and vandalize the school and the cars in the parking lot - and are caught - are STILL allowed not only to participate in Senior closing activities. They not only walk the stage, but they are allowed to SING during Senior farewell. What a mockery of the discipline system at City!
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