CAT Tracks for March 30, 2011 THE LAST TO KNOW

Was I?

Just last night my weary eyes finally saw the proof that "War is Over"...the official "NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES" that is now posted in District buildings per order of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board-IELRB.

I do have one complaint...

Why didn't somebody tell me???!!!

The posting date...freaking "Feb. 11, 2011"!!!???

I mean...

I've been speculating PUBLICLY in CAT Tracks since January 27th about whether or not the District would appeal their lost appeal. As late as March 22nd I got into the "ass-u-me" mode, that since 50 days had passed and the District's time limit was 35 days, well...

And all this time, you folks in the trenches let me twist in the wind...kept the news to yourselves.

Daaayuuumn! Whassup with that?

I mean...

My paranoia kicked in immediately. FOUL!!! The notice may be dated February 11th, but when did it REALLY get posted? Those SOBs are trying to hide their bad news from the oppressed! Call the IELRB!!!

Fortunately, before I made a complete ass out of myself, I talked to a couple of people who I trust without question. They assured me that the "notice" had indeed been posted for quite some time.

Okay, then, bears repeating...

Daaayuuumn! Whassup with that?

What did I do to you to deserve such a "silent treatment"?

My only retort is another of my trusty adages...

"He who laughs last laughs best."

Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah!

Only one thing wrong with that...

...ain't nobody I know laughing.

A battle that began in August 2005 was officially ended on February 11, 2011.

Five-and-a-half years...66 months!

The stress and financial hardship that being fired (and blackballed from other employment) caused James Gibson and his family. Health problems related to the stress (according to the doctors.)

James and I in St. Louis meeting with his IEA retained lawyer immediately after James received news that three of his relatives had passed away; him making funeral arrangements during breaks.

Me being called away from my wife's bedside to receive some "good news"...that James had won his arbitration case. Me missing a mediation session a couple of months later...due the passing of my wife. A few days later...James helping to officiate her funeral.

Cairo School District Number One throwing away literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and money paid to keep an excellent and popular teacher from working.

You tell me...

...who's laughing?

What a damned waste.

Oh, don't get me wrong...it was worth the fight.

James Gibson was wronged...we said so at the time; the IELRB said so 5 years later.

James Gibson (with the full support of the IEA) stood up and fought for his rights, but YOU will likely benefit! Surely the District will hesitate to go down this road again. For sure they will, if they will only...

READ THE WRITING ON THE WALL!

So...

No laughter, but I'm sure that James will join me in heaving a great big satisfying

SIGH...

POSTSCRIPT:

I have seen the light!

I mentioned my paranoia...

...ya gotta wonder if District officials are feeling a bit paranoid right now.

Talk about "rubbing it in"...

After you finish reading the writing on the wall, go take a gander at the writing now scrolling across the marquee at the entrance of Cairo Jr./Sr. High School: