Teachers at New Foundations Charter High School in
Northeast Philadelphia want to unionize.
More than 90 percent of the 53 teachers and professional
support staff at the charter have signed cards saying they want to be
represented by an affiliate of AFT Pennsylvania and have asked the National
Labor Relations Board to schedule an election.
The documents were delivered to the NLRB’s regional
office in Philadelphia on Friday, union officials said.
Teachers said they want to have a greater voice in the
school’s operations, including seeking a consistent curriculum, a
recognized salary schedule, improved job security, and full participation in
the state pension system for school employees.
“I’m organizing because my family deserves a raise, and my students deserve
more resources to realize their dreams,” said Zach Riegler, a ninth grade
social studies teacher.
Paul Stadelberger, CEO at New Foundations, could not be
reached for comment,
If the teachers vote for unionization, New Foundations
would be the fifth charter school in the district where teachers and
professional staff are represented by the Alliance for Charter School
Employees. The charters include Olney Charter High School, which approved its first
contract in May.
New Foundations’ high school at 4850 Rhawn St. in
Holmesburg opened in 2010 and enrolls 685 students.
The high school is an affiliate of the K-8 New
Foundations Charter School at 8001 Torresdale Ave., which opened in 2000.
The K-8 charter was founded by Stadelberger and Sheryl
Perzel, wife of former Pennsylvania House Speaker John Perzel. Sheryl
Perzel stepped down from the New Foundations board in 2005.
Source: Philly.com
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