A nasty little war brewing in the South Bay (SoCal) town of Redondo Beach illustrates the lengths to which public employee unions will go to serve their interests.

Redondo Beach hired school superintendent Carol Leighty about eighteen months ago after a nine month, headhunter-assisted search. Leighty received a positive review when her contract was renewed in February. Five months later Redondo’s Board of Education wants to fire her.

What has changed? Did test scores fall? Was there a scandal? A $25m construction boondoggle, as in neighboring Manhattan Beach?

No. The only difference is that two new members of the five person Board were elected in March, and they were strongly supported by the teachers union. One other existing member was also beholden to the union. Those teachers have numerous petty issues with their boss, Leighty, and now that they control the Board, they’re going to get her fired.

Board President Carl Clark and the other members refused to explain why Leighty should be terminated, which has not gone over well in the community. A local paper, the Easy Reader, reported

… community members let the board know Tuesday night in no uncertain terms that Leighty’s departure would fly in the face of their wishes. She was praised for her integrity, character, leadership, and communication abilities. Among those voicing opposition to her dismissal were former board members, representatives of the Parent Teacher Association and the Redondo Beach Education Foundation, a city council member, the president of the RUHS alumni association, and several outraged parents and activists.

Another local paper, the Beach Reporter, commented that many onlookers felt that if Leighty had committed some egregious act, the Board would not be split 3-2 over her dismissal.

The belief that this unexplained action is being driven by the teacher’s union seems supported by an email sent by Board President Clark and obtained by Independent Sources. In several hundred words that provided no insight into the Board’s thinking, he wrote that when he ran for office, “with your help and the help of our District employees, I won a seat on the Board.” In that statement he reveals his dual constituencies.

The clout of teachers, police officers, and other public employee unions has already resulted in contracts with lifetime employment and too-rich pension plans. Now they are attempting to name their own managers, or, failing that, make existing management so scared that they will be ineffective (six months ago we posted about a similar attempt by the teacher’s union in San Diego). What will happen when a compliant Superintendent sits across the table from union negotiators at the next contract talks, knowing his or her job is on the line? Whatever happens, it won’t be good for the citizens.

In what other sector do employees have this degree of control over their supervisors? Is their any scenario at all in which the end result in an better organization with improved results — namely, better-educated children? I can’t think of one.

This is all the more reason to support this fall’s Proposition 75, which would require yearly authorization by public employee union members before any of their dues could be used as political contributions. It’s not enough. But if it puts a crimp in the shenanigans of union-supported elected officials like those in Redondo Beach, it’s a step in the right direction.

(PS. In the materials we have reviewed no one is claiming that this is “for the children.” But — it’s early yet.)

Technorati Tags: California, California initiatives, education, Redondo Beach, Southern California

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 17th, 2005 at 11:29 pm by A Senior Administration Official and is filed under 2005 Initiatives, California Schemin', (Un)education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.