Arbitrator Rosemary Townley has ruled that 1000 speech teachers in New York City don't have to actually teach during the 37.5 additional minutes of class time that were negotiated as part of the last contract between the United Federation of Teachers and the city. Speech teachers may "review already-covered material" but can not be forced to teach anything new to needy students in that time period because it isn't technically class time, according to The Chief.

Think that is bad? It gets worse. Any speech teacher who actually taught anything new to a child during the additional time between February and the end of the school year is now entitled for additional pay for doing more than technically required during the 37.5 minutes.

Great way to run a school system, ainah? Would someone just stop the charade and bring on the vouchers? This is getting silly.

Children last.

PS - In defense of the numerous speech teachers I know in NYC, none of them is a big enough jerk to actually care what the UFT or the arbitrator says in this case, which right now seems to be the only thing keeping public education afloat in our fair city.