Jim Groth's October report to San Diego teachers

Jim Groth of the California Teachers Association Board of Directors (and Chula Vista Elementary School District) likes to explain how things work at CTA--leaving out some important facts. Here are some snippets from his October 2007 report entitled, appropriately enough, "Power and Resources."

1) Jim says:

"Legal Services is 3.6% of CTA dues. Legal Services provides CTA members and Chapters with comprehensive legal protection."

What Jim doesn't say:

"The 'comprehensive legal protection' only applies to teachers who are in favor with Beverly Tucker, the CTA chief counsel. These include child molesters like Albert Truitt, and probationary teachers who flunk exams, but not victims of crimes committed by me and my friends, such as the crimes committed at Castle Park Elementary School in CVESD. People like me and Robin Donlan and Peggie Myers are the ones who get the comprehensive protection, not competent, innocent teachers."

2) Jim says:

"Governance is 4.3% of CTA dues. Governance includes all direct membership involvement in the control, operation and direction of CTA."

What Jim doesn't say:

"The salaries of us folks who run the union are none of your business. But someone who will reliably parrot what Beverly Tucker and Carolyn Doggett dictate, and never disturb our board meetings with complaints about illegal actions and actions that harm children, can conceivably become president and live in luxury in Burlingame with a very comfortable income."

3) Jim says:

"The CTA budget is broad and far-reaching. It provides the financial resources so that we can exercise our power..."

What Jim doesn't say:

In this case, I've got to give Jim credit. He said it all.

CTA defends the rights of certain teachers, like Albert G.Truitt, Jr.

California Teachers Association's powerful leaders Beverly Tucker and Carolyn Doggett are loyal to a fault.

When a pal of CTA leaders is charged with incompetence or child abuse, CTA works hard to protect them.

Do competent teachers, who have not committed child abuse or any other crime, get the same treatment? No--politics reigns supreme in the education system. CTA frequently ignores or violates the rights of high-functioning teachers, but the top brass of CTA act just like the current executive branch of the United States when it comes to covering up crimes and protecting pals from punishment.

Last month the California Supreme Court released the Albert Truitt Jr. decision, much to the consternation of CTA lawyers Beverly Tucker, Rosalind Wolf, and John Kohn.