Conflict over Education Secretary heats up

[Omaha Steve]

http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/conflict-over-education-secretary-heats-up/

Posted on December 11, 2008 by dcampbell1

The battle over the appointment of the future Secretary of Education by Barack Obama has heated up with essays and opinions flying including here at Talking Union. Libby Quaid and Dan Brown write good pieces at the Huffington Post. David Brooks of the New York Times has argued for Joel Klein, currently the Chancellor in New York City.

Brooks in his piece echos one of the key arguments of conservative opinion writers and of the Klein, Rhee form of school managers- that the problem with failing schools is teachers and teacher unions. If Obama picks Klein, this would be a major assault on unions and particularly teachers unions. These unions were important parts of his electoral coalition.
The conservative, pro business advocates accuse teachers unions of creating this controversy about Joel Klein. Well, I wrote a petition to the Obama campaign opposing the appointment of Joel Klein. Teachers and others can sign this petition at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/campd227/petition.html. It has over 4,500 signatures. Many of the signers are teachers who have worked in the New York area.

As a strong advocate of the election of Barack Obama, I wrote this petition to express a viewpoint. I do not see why we should be quiet. Issues such as this appointment and the economic appointments are vital. Favoring Obama’s election does not mean to me that we should be quiet for the next 4 years. See also the post here on Obama’s economic advisors.

Duane Campbell, Chair Sacramento DSA.
Member of California Faculty Association. ( National Education Association).