Parents, union speak out against paid intern - New position causes controversy over Spanish immersion program (by Mark Abramson/Daily News)
Union leaders and administrators in the Burlingame School District on Tuesday night spoke out against a plan to have parents pay for an intern to assist in the district's Spanish immersion program.
After hearing the unions's concerns and from parents during a special study session, the school board directed all of the sides to work together to come up with a solution to the matter.
Officials in the teachers and classified employees union said they were concerned that bringing in an intern from a Spanish-speaking country would circumvent organized labor. They argued that the intern would essentially be a replacement for a unionized aide position, which is being eliminated by the district next year. They also argued that providing such a position to one teacher would not be equitable to other faculty members and their students. "If the district proceeds to fill the above referenced aide position ... the union will pursue legal remedies"? said Kathleen Martin, president of the California School Employees Association Chapter 46.
Annette De Maria, the president of the Burlingame Education Association teachers union, said the district would be subcontracting our work.We are prepared to enforce our rights, and that may mean filing a grievance (with the Public Employee Relations Board),? De Maria said.
One of the district's core values is equity for all students, said Paula Valerio, the principal at McKinley Elementary School, which houses the immersion program. Valerio told the board that she has looked into other options besides an intern. She indicated that she contacted several universities about using a bilingual student teacher.
The district planned to eliminate the position when the immersion program enters its second year in the fall, and it is expanded from the kindergarten to include first graders as well. District officials said using an aide to launch a program in its first year is commonplace.
The intern idea came from school board president Michael Barber, who used a consultant's suggestion. He started researching the idea of working with the San Diego-based Amity Institute to provide an intern to enhance the program. He also enlisted parents to cover the costs. "I feel responsible for it, so if there is frustration for it, please take it out on me. Start throwing your tomatoes at me. I'll take credit, and I'll take the blame,"? Barber said during the meeting.
Board members expressed mixed feelings about the intern and about how the matter was handled. Board Clerk Liz Gindraux suggested the district look into all the options and table the decision to work with Amity for now. Trustee Marc Friedman said he does not believe the board should take action and suggested that parents, the school, and union officials work together to find a solution.
Kimathi Marangu, who has a son in the immersion program, said parents were just stepping up to help their children after Barber approached them in February. "The parents rallied, and we answered the call,"? Marangu said. "We have immense trust in our teacher, and we are here to continue that tradition that we will answer the call when asked."?
An intern would cost $1,495 a year plus a $150 a month stipend, and a host family would have to provide housing for that person. Amity officials have said they have seen parents raise money or foot the bill for interns, and school districts nationwide have paid for the program.
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- Written by Fiona
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