By Steve Gunn
EAGnews.org

HARVEY, La. – Everyone knows that Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals” is the Bible for teachers unions.

The book basically advises union members (and other malcontents) that the quickest way to get their way is to stage massive temper tantrums and engage in other forms of rude and outlandish public behavior.

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Alinsky, who died years ago, would be proud of the union teachers in Louisiana’s Jefferson Parish school district.

John White, state superintendent of schools, appeared before the Jefferson Parish school board last Thursday to share details about state education reforms, including the new private school voucher program, the new teacher evaluation system and the expansion of the number of charter schools.

About 40 union teachers sat quietly in the audience and showed little interest in addressing White or asking him questions during the meeting, according to a story published by the Times-Picayune. That would have been the civilized and dignified way to approach him.

But after the meeting the teachers surrounded him, peppering him with question after question in rapid fire fashion. It was clearly more of an organized protest than an information session.

Security guards were on hand to make sure the teachers remained somewhat civil. Jefferson Parish Assistant Superintendent Lale Geer “stood at the front of the group, using his arms to prevent teachers from getting too close to White.”

“It was a mostly civil discussion, but the teachers did get a little peppy with him,” school board member Michael Delesdernier told the newspaper.

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The teachers are upset because they hate the state reforms, and because the school board recently decided not to extend the union’s collective bargaining agreement. They have every right to their opinions, and every right to address state officials like White.

But do they really think they are going to impress their fellow citizens by engaging in this type of extremely rude behavior? White came to the meeting to inform the school board and citizens of the district about pending changes in education. He did not deserve to be ambushed by a bunch of political teachers.

This type of behavior will not only make Louisiana voters more likely to oppose the teachers union on various political issues, but will probably make some Jefferson Parish parents wonder if these are the type of people who should be teaching and influencing children.

That’s a very good question indeed.