"Over the years there was an implicit understanding. The elected officials, politicians got labor peace. The teacher' union negotiated constant regular pay increases. And Johnny and Susie got left on the side of the road. They didn't get any more instructional time.
"We have the shortest school day and year in the country of any major city. And what I said is 'I will not be a party to that agreement, cheating the kids.' Now we can sit around and say... 'This is all about the kids.' If it's all about the kids, how did we end up with the shortest school day and school year in the country?
"Just by way of example, a child in Houston and Chicago who both start kindergarten on the same day and they go all the way through high school, you know because of the length of day in Houston, the child in Houston spends the equivalent of three more days in the classroom learning just because of the length of day...
"I said (to teachers) 'You're going to get a pay raise,' but ... I'm happy that the governor signed into law on Monday the ability for us to finally get a length of day and a length of year that makes the kids' education competitive with the rest of the country and also with the kids in Hong Kong, with the kids in Singapore, with the kids in London. And Berlin. That's how you compete to win and seize the future."
So Emanuel's arrival has meant, so far, longer school days (he instigated that) and probably more anxious police officials. Sounds like he's having an impact.
Go here to listen to the audio cast or read the full transcript
Original content Bob DeMarco, Look Beyond the Obvious
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