An olive branch was expected.
After all, when Oregon’s powerful teachers union, OEA, decided not to endorse Gov. Tina Kotek in last month’s primary election, some reconciliation was anticipated. What were her transgressions?
Kotek issued an order demanding that schools not reduce instructional times for students as a way of balancing their budgets. They were miffed at the signing of Senate Bill 141, which implemented a level of accountability for schools to up their performance standards. Then there was Kotek’s refusal to answer the plea by the union to tap the state’s emergency fund to address a school budget deficit in Portland.
Who does Kotek think she is? The Governor? The Superintendent of Public Instruction? Oregon’s Chief Accountability Officer?
Back to the olive branch. This week the Oregon Senate will consider whether to approve three new nominees to Oregon’s Quality Education Commission. You would expect one of the three might be a top OEA union representative.
How about all three?