The AFT, the Clinton and Obama Campaigns also contributed to our efforts helping to make the margin of difference.  We owe all of these people a great round of thanks for standing up for public education.  This is a coalition that can continue to help us fight the good fight for our students and for a quality education system in this city.

Given what was accomplished this year we still have major issues to tackle.  First, and foremost, in the minds of the CFT members and its leadership is the idea of restoring a positive, safe, and orderly school culture back into our buildings.  The most significant problem we face is the school climate.  We receive more complaints and concerns regarding schools that do not function well with regard to student discipline and general school culture than any other.  This, along with class size, is the number one issue that must be addressed during the upcoming school year.  We all know that a positive and supportive school climate is critical to student success and also critical for teacher retention.  We cannot let this issue slide any longer.  To that end we will be placing this agenda item front and center in our activities.  The CFT Educational Policies Committee will be among the first places this will start as this committee plans its year and launches a Safe and Orderly School Campaign.  We will also take up this issue wherever we can as we interact with the district on a variety of levels.

There are many reasons why CPS remains a high performing urban district, but among the most important is the fact that we have a highly professional and talented teaching and clerical force working in the district.  The academic successes we have accomplished are due to your hard work as the teachers and clerical workers of this district.  We intend to focus on these strengths as we move into our summer planning so we can better represent you and help to make this district a better place to work and to learn.

In Solidarity,
Tim Kraus