Thursday, 12 February 2004 - 2:00 PM EST

I read this bus shortage article this morning. With all the uproar over funding it's interesting to note that the athletic departments budget for the city schools is $3.29 million this year, up from $2.9 million last year. One other interesting nugget from ths article: there have been several instances of buses failing to return to pick up students after games.

I was ranting about the schools closing early last night, when I saw it on Fox 45 evening news. Sudden changes in the school day cannot be met with enthusiasm from parents whose lives revolve around when their children will get home from school. Be on the lookout for roving bands of city high school students. With their parents still at work and the energy they have pent up from their sporting events getting canceled, we might have a few more marks on that crime map tommorow.

Thursday, 12 February 2004 - 8:55 PM EST

The teachers rejected the pay cuts, and there are rumors of a coordinated "sickout" on Friday, so schools will be opening two hours late.

Friday, 13 February 2004 - 9:35 AM EST

I was hoping for a rejection because, as a rule, I root for things to fail. However, I didn't really think the teachers would reject this measure. This is the problem with people who really believe in something. Their own self-righteousness prevents them from reaching reasonable compromise. In our system, at every level, nobody gets entirely what they want. You come to the table with a position and work toward making the final result something you can live with. This was a good compromise, more so for the teachers than anyone else. I really hope O'Malley's next move is to say: Look, I offered to meet you half way and you rejected my offer. You got yourself into this mess, now get yourself out.

When do you think this thing might make national news? It's a major American city, it's teachers, it's labor strife, it's got a lot of elements that could make it interesting.

Friday, 13 February 2004 - 11:20 AM EST

I kind of get it that they are willing to sacrifice some of their members in order to increase sympathy. But why call out today? How does making ordinary people scramble for babysitters and rides help your cause?

Friday, 13 February 2004 - 11:25 AM EST

Barf:

After the votes were counted in early evening, about two dozen teachers stood in a circle in front of the building, held hands and sang "We Shall Overcome" and its education version, "We Will Teach the Children."

Despite substantial, and some would say long overdue, raises over the past few years, teachers were in no mood to give up any financial gains.

"Teachers already give back every day, so to ask them to give more is to ask too much," said English after the vote count.