D.C. Public Schools will appeal an arbitrator’s decision to reinstate 75 teachers fired in 2008.
Mayor Vincent Gray said Wednesday afternoon that the city’s attorney general believes arbitrator Charles Feigenbaum “erred” in his ruling favoring the Washington Teachers’ Union.
“Therefore, while we remain committed to providing the due process cited by the arbitrator, the [Office of the Attorney General] will appeal the decision by Monday’s deadline to ensure that the District is not forced to place or pay ineffective teachers in the event there are future disagreements about what the decision means,” Gray said.
Meanwhile, Gray said DCPS is going forward with its 60-day period to locate and notify the 75 teachers let go in summer 2008. According to Feigenbaum, each is entitled to reinstatement and about $100,000 in backwages each — a $7.5 million pricetag. It was not immediately clear what DCPS will tell the teachers they find as they simultaneously move to reverse the ruling.
“My bottom line continues to be that all students should be taught by good teachers,” Gray said. “Going forward, all actions related to the arbitrator’s ruling will be based on that premise.”
