The Chicago Teachers Union wants you to know not all teachers are readily in favor of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's longer school day.
While teachers at six Chicago schools have now voted against union opinion to implement a 90-minute longer day right away, 30 schools voted against it, according to the CTU.
"As you can see there is no rapid jumping on the bandwagon of CPS’s plan to extend the school day this year," union spokeswoman Stephanie Gadlin said in an email.
Yates Elementary School, Walt Disney Magnet School, Morgan Park, Stagg Elementary School and Ames Middle are among those who voted against it, Gadlin said.
"I know everyone rejoices each time one school extends its day, but we can’t seem to get the message out that these schools ... have taken votes and have rejected the day," Gadlin said.
But Emanuel's office disagrees with the CTU.
"There have been no schools to vote no," said Tarrah Cooper, Emanuel's press secretary.
In fact, CPS announced Tuesday that Disney II Magnet Elementary School, at 3815 N. Kedvale Ave. in Old Irving Park, approved a waiver to the Collective Bargain Agreement to add 90 minutes of instructional time to the school day.
“We’re gratified that the teachers at Disney II Elementary put our children first and voted to lengthen the school day," CPS chief Jean-Claude Brizard said in a statement. "We commend Principal Bogdana Chkoumbova for her leadership and vision for making Disney II a world class school."
CTU stands by the list of no's, though. The union on Friday filed a lawsuit against Emanuel's school board for allegedly coercing CTU-represented teachers into waiving their labor rights and voting in favor of lengthening the school day.
“Asking our members to void parts of their own contract it is unethical and illegal,” said CTU President Karen Lewis in a statement. "We’ve asked [the board] over and over to work with us not against us.”
Emanuel has championed the longer day to help improve test scores and keep kids off the streets.
Ethan Netterstrom, principal at Skinner North Classical School, was proud to extend the day.
"In my mind it's groundbreaking," Netterstrom said. "It's historic for us as a school. ... I'm just really proud of my teachers and my staff for their commitment and dedication."
