If you want to know about the parents, don't ask about the children. "EVER. Period." Names *and* ages, are you kidding me?

I think it's fairly evident to everyone what your original intent was, but now that you've been caught in your skeevy bullying campaign, you are making a lame attempt to back pedal and save face. Forget it, it's too late. Your credibility is gone. (Kind of like the original form.)

I would like to hope that you are not a fair representative of Framingham teachers, but time will tell.

Unfortunately this sounds like back peddling, and while at least an attempt to set things right, it still doesn't feel genuine. I am certain that teachers who travel in the same circles as members of SC are well aware of where they cross paths. I know I can count on seeing specific teachers on Sunday grocery shopping, or on routine trips to the Y. If teachers in the SC members current "circles" are the ones you want approaching SC, then reach out to the FTA and state that vs gathering personal information via a survey for what appears to be deceitful tactics. "Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don't have brains enough to be honest. " ~BF

"The focus will now be on making the committee feel the same stresses that we have." That's what the letter said. That does not sound like a desire for "making connections." I didn't think it was possible to make this worse, but I was wrong.

Mr Miskin has gone too far and many I have spoken to about the union contract are turning against the teachers at this point. Union leadership run amok and now irrational. The union president just made negotiating impossible and the membership end up worse off as a result. Time for someone else to take charge of the teachers side of the debate.

Given Kathy's quote above and this, "I need any/all information you know about each of the school committee members. Having as much information as possible about their lives, activities, and daily routines is crucial to design actions that will truly impact them," wrote Miskin to the Association members," seems to be contradictory to what this explanatory letter says. What exactly then, was planned as an action that would truly impact them and cause stress? It didn't sound like you meant a pleasant conversation at church.

A full day later and this is the best response the union leadership could come up with? You should have asked your students to write up something - they could have written a better piece of fiction!

Face it - you expected this to blow over in a few hours and it continues to snowball - and this ridiculous attempt at damage control is just making the snowball bigger and bigger. You've lost a lot of your supporters and regaining that trust is going to take more than what you are trying to do here.

School Committee - the residents are behind you. Walk away from the table, return the raise money to the residents and ease some of their burdens in the upcoming year.

The teachers have no place to bale in this economy - let them threaten to leave - there are a lot of hungry teachers looking for the chance to take their place.

BS Mr Miskin. Then why is the survey still asking for SC work informatiion and Spouce's personal details including work? You are attempting an indimidation racket which may lead to actions or calls for boycotts against the employer's of these SC members. Please dont think the general public is so stupid to believe this story.

Sam- please tell us you wife's name, your address, and you child's name so we can be sure not to speak about FTA-SC issues in front of them.
Did you think of this on your own time or during the currently known defined day according to the last contract which happens to be the current contract in place until a new one is negotiated?

Agree 100% with Kathy and Cariann.

The whole Executive Board is accountable. After all, who knows what the dynamics are amongst the group, and how much of what is coming out is an individual's decision or a group decision . Changing the spokesperson successfully creates a scapegoat, but doesn't actually solve the problem or result in a meaningful leadership change. Quoting from Derek on the previous article: "The last available FTA website page shows the executive committee to be: Sam Miskin, Mike Koziara, Linda Renault, Deb Irvine, Rosemary Jebari, Mary Jean Flanigan, Maria Jimenez, Amy Graff, Shawna Graham, Robin Kanter, Chris Martell, and Lisa Zanella. Did all these people vote in favor of this approach as well?" I would add, who else is involved, because it looks like more than that on the FTA Facebook page.

Compare this "explanation" to the original text by clicking the blue sentences in Mr. Miskin's remarks above (or follow this link: http://framingham.patch.com/articles/union-president-seeks-personal-info-on-school-committee-urges-stress-attack). As others have stated, this seems much more like "I'm sorry....that I got caught" than a sincere apology for causing offense. Perhaps the "mis-understanding" he references was his own of how far the FTA can push its membership and the usually supportive parents and community members.

“We are not out to hurt anyone – and we are certainly not going to involve children. EVER. Period” Huh?? I’m not sure why children’s name/ages were requested? Why after public outrage were those boxes removed? Certainly sounds like “involving children” to me.

FTA red shirts worn in school every Friday where students are the largest target audience INVOLVES our children. Our children are bearing the brunt of the “work to rule” order set forth by the FTA Union. School activities are cancelled. No help before midterms and no after school help. The Junior Class had College Night cancelled and the 8th grader parents will be hurt by not having teachers available to provide info on selecting the correct classes as they enter their high school year.

For the FTA to suggest children will not be involved. “Ever. Period” Is disingenuous. Our children get one shot at an education and this has not been an exemplary year.

Our fantastic teachers are in the middle with their hands tied, dealing with parent frustrations, Union frustrations and no contract. We owe it to our teachers and our children to get this contract completed ASAP. This has gone on far too long. Our children, who are very much involved, do not get another shot.

And didn't M. Miskin just the other day state that the two sides were close but today they haven't made much progress. Which is itV

And please Mr Miskin answer the questions the residents have been asking. We know about the class sizes but how do you propose to do this in Framingham. There aren't classrooms to put the reduced size classes in. Are you looking for aides? New teachers? Will you agree to elimiinate any positions added because of class size if the class size is no longer too large? Please answers not rhetoric.

He should be fired after what he has done. Someone in any other work place would be. The SC should let all of the teachers go for a while to teach them that bullying the families, children, SC and town is not allowed. As hard as it would be, they could hire teachers that are striving for work.
By no means should they grant them a better contract after the tactics that they have gone through, this is below the barrel that anyone should do. They are not protecting the children by any means, they are showing them how wrong they are each and every day by standing out side with signs and wearing the shirts. Going places to picket, telling 13 year olds why they are doing what they are in full detail. We have had wonderful teachers in the 13 years in the FPS, some that I'm sure don't support all the comings of this. But they are part of this union and all is accountable for all actions. Its not right how they are causing stress to TOWN TAX payers and FAMILIES in Framingham. It needs to end and the FTA needs to get off their high horse and suck it up, take what they can take because we are all sick of it. ENOUGH already. Go back to teaching and stop complaining.....
His letter is bull...

I thought I supported the teachers but now that I see what they are complaining about and their tactics, I cannot. The only employees who have a well defined work day are paid hourly, perhaps the teachers would like that. And as far as COLA, they should thank their lucky star they see any kind of increase when the rest of the private sector hasn't seen anything in years! Of course class size over 25 is not ideal for anyone but guess what, sometimes you have to work with what you are given. Stop the whining and get back to work please!

First, it was a stress attack. Then, they wanted the school and place of worship information to *avoid* union action at those places. Now, they actually do want to run into the committee staff at these places, but to connect with them about the contract! Sheesh! Mr. Miskin, my brain is getting pretty stressed right now.

Kim's post angered me to read the effect this is having on the children. Appears to me that the union serves the members and not the children. Time for the union to go. Our teachers are better than this.

Mr Miskin why do you want to "stress" the SC members? You, the FTA asked to go to mediation, right? Did this not change the negotiations between you and the SC thereby giving the power to the mediator also causing scheduling of meetings more difficult? Lastly, why are you going after ALL the SC members when you know some are not
part of the mediation process? The Superintendent and the CFO are at the table, too, right? Will you be "stress"ing them too? Should we complete the survey for them? Oh and don't forget the Town Manager? And of course, the Selectmen, since the Town Manager reports to the Selectmen. Of course, you can do that right after the Executive Board of the FTA completes the survey, too. Thanks so much.

Hey Hey Ho Ho, the bully red shirts have got to go!

sorry Sam, it's too late to walk this one back and even if it wasn't, this disingenuous BS is just as damaging as the first misguided effort

Hey look its a snow day, the teachers have the day off...wow how nice. How many people in the private sectors had to scramble and make arrangments for their children this morning so you could still go to work. yet they can complain, I wonder what they will come up with today when they have all day to really think about their next bullying tactics...

I know that if I was a SC member I wouldn't talk about anything outside the doors because its not right, I would have a life to live besides the SC and they should respect that.
Again ENOUGH, Go back to work the way it is...

"Framingham Parent" is disappointed that there isn't more support for educators in this town. I think "FP" is missing the larger point here.

Most of the community DOES support educators, and education. However, even those supporters are appalled to see the tactics the UNION will employ to steamroll its agenda here. Having that so baldly displayed via Mr. Miskin's original letter to FTA members, followed by his contradictory explanation/apology serves to make even the strongest supporters (and even, it seems, union members) wonder about the other methods the union is espousing and whether there is information that is not being shared. This undermines trust and goodwill throughout the town (not to mention, further alienates anyone inclined to be against the schools and educators).

I hope people will keep this definition of bullying in mind as they make their posts. Some of these posts cross that line even as they complain about the teachers' behavior. It doesn't make the Framingham community look very good.

Bullying, as defined in M.G.L. c. 71, § 370, is the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target that:
i. causes physical or emotional harm to the targetor damage to the target’s property;
ii. places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself or of damage to his or her property;
iii. creates a hostile environment at school for the target;
iv. infringes on the rights of the target at school; or
v. materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

On another note, I think that teachers ought to be specifically be prohibited from bullying students, other staff, and parents in their contract, and that such behavior would be "just cause" for dismissal. Just saying...

I agree with other posters that Mr. Miskin's apology was past due and not genuine. If the teachers truly want to do the right thing and get negotiations back on track, I believe they need to replace Mr. Miskin and the current board members and get back to the negotiating table with new representatives. It may not get the union everything that it wants at the bargaining table, but it would certainly go a long way to helping the union's relationship with the school committee and regain good will in this community.

This is definitely a case of "I got caught and now I have to make up an excuse to show why I am right". This "apology" by Mr. Miskin and the FTA is as bad as the original survey. I have the utmost respect for teachers, whether they be employed by Framingham or another district.. I do know that if people are unhappy about their working conditions in one company, they are free to resign and seek employment elsewhere. "Stress". Is being unemployed, having no health insurance, and having a family to take care of. The teachers do have jobs and a steady salary. I know many of these teachers and find it difficult to believe that they support the scare tactics of their union. They became teachers because they love children and love what they do.

@MB having familiarity with weather and public safety it is my experience that school is not called for the teachers benefit, it is called for the safety and sake of the students. As a working parent myself, school is not my babysitter an not it's prime importance. It is parents who hold the babysitter mindset that is where many schooling problems begin at home, If you are a working parent YOU are responsible for alternative child care.

Framingham Parent your statements show no concept of the real world. I never suggested for all the teachers to leave. What I did say was that if the teachers threatened to leave - let them. You have changed my words in an effort to support your argument.

And maybe the maternity math position issue (if that's even true) is an issue because it would only be a temp post. The teacher would be returning and that person would be out of a job again, correct?

As for other towns picking up all the Framingham teachers that walk out the door. Are you serious? You are saying that many open positions exist in other towns? Now whose talking crazy?!?! Maybe those town's will dump their under-performing teachers and scoop our good ones from Framingham. Yeah - and if you believe that one - I got a bridge I can sell you.

The union leadership gambled and lost. The teachers (like their counterparts in the private sector) will get to feel the repercussions of the bad decisions made by management.

I am a teacher in FPS.

I hope that the ‘baby will not be thrown out with the bath water.' After the dust settles, the issues in negotiation will remain.This has all been very unfortunate.

Relative to class size, to reiterate:
l. The revised teacher evaluation system will be more closely tied to student performance;
2. Student performance is impacted significantly by class size; and
3. Student population in Framingham will increase significantly over the next ten years

The FTA is asking that language on class size be included based on the current recommendations on class size already set out by the School Committee, typically maximum of 25 students/class, and is not asking for class size reductions beyond what the current policy.

Relative to defined work day, it has been explained with this analogy: A doctor has scheduled office hours, but stays on the job or takes work home to finish paperwork, complete reports, make phone calls, etc. Applying this concept to teachers, it is being asked that meetings of all types occur within a defined work day, or, if not, compensation be offered. Teachers would still be accountable for all the other facets needed to complete as needed outside of the defined work day (planning, parent contact, report writing, etc.).

The COLA has been tied to resolution of some of these other issues. Planning for space/staff management and class sizes falls to the school administration & committee.

I will now duck.

Derek makes an excellent point about filling a temp job. There is a cartel preventing people who may be very capable of teaching from filling positions, its the Dept of Education. Persons with advanced degrees or with an employment history that shows subject proficiancy should be allowed to teach. They should be granted temp licenses which could become permanent after a trial period. There are many of people that have swtiched careers and have gone into teaching. I'm fairly sure job security was one of the factors. Lets make it easier for systems to fill these temp jobs by allowing them to hire at will, people they can qualify.

Has anyone considered the notion that this idiot is smarter than we think? That he has brought attention to the actual issue as a result of his Don King-like bravado/insaneness?

If the public school teachers had any integrity, they would vote to abolish their union and show they really are for the children. Public education in America is a disgrace and the primary reason is that teachers' unions are about power and money and not about teaching.

Didn't I read earlier this week that there was a mediation session planned for yesterday? Did it happen?

Scott: Yes a mediation session was held yesterday.
A contract agreement was not reached.
Another session has been scheduled March 18.
I have spoken to School Committee Chair David Miles and Superintendent Stacy Scott on yesterday's session, but waiting for a quote from the FTA before posting a report on the Patch site.

J Scott - there is no reason to duck. But the baby should get thrown out with the bathwater. If any of us in the private sector ever tried to pull a stunt like this you can be guaranteed we would have been shown the door.

The union and its members should consider themselves lucky to continue to have a job after making such a colossal lapse in judgement. The union sent a message to its true employers (the Town taxpayers) if we can't get what we want though negotiation, then we will get it through intimidation. And that, the tax payers won't stand for.

I hope most of us can keep in mind that the Union leadership here needs to be distinguished from most of the talented, caring teachers in this district. It seems clear this tactic did not have widespread support among the membership so let's not penalize our teachers or paint them with the same brush.

Mr. Miskin obviously needs some guidance and help learning how to keep support, handle PR and do damage control once things have gone wrong. A sincere apology would have gone a long way to getting this behind us all and get some forward motion in the negotiation sessions.

I think J Scott's comments above are important. I think much of the contract dispute arises from the new assessments that came down from the state and how they are concretely tied to student performance. There are many challenges with this in Framingham. I can see how it might make teachers and the union a bit nervous. So why not just state that the new assessments are raising very thorny issues, the teachers don't want to be set up to fail and the union is trying to find a solution to this? Why demonize the School Committee, whip up support by being disingenuous and then blow the whole thing with an over the top stress campaign? Painful to watch.

As Kim Comatas pointed out, the restrictions on teachers' work is indeed having an effect on our kids. I hope they get this done soon and go back to what everyone should be doing.

Typical union tactic...When you don't get what you want resort to intimidation and threats...fire the whole bunch and start over, maybe they can get jobs as longshoremen, since that is the way they act!

How embarrassed are you now Sam....This whole mess was on Fox News! Nice Going!

Framteacher2013- watching a movie in June is not exactly doing your job. Yes, you do have to be there but teaching is not what you are doing at that time of year. My kids have watched more movies in school than out.

I'd like to amend my request for all raise money to be diverted back to the Town. I would like for some of that money to go to that one teacher who had the courage, conscience, and ethics to give the Patch the email.

We will probably never know who you were - but I would be extremely proud if you happen to be the teachers of one of my kids. What you did was an example of doing the right thing even though it might hit you in the pocketbook - an excellent example for all of our young people and hopefully in someway we can reward you for it someday.

I am a tax paying resident of Framingham as well as the parent of students at Barbieri. I am also a TEACHER in the FPS. I always struggle with whether to comment or not about the current situation. The whole thing, especially now, sickens me. As a teacher, I resent comments along the lines of "stop complaining and get back to work," "fire them all," "teachers are all about power and money," "stop bullying the students." First of all, we have never STOPPED working. We go to work everyday regardless of the standings of the contract and we TEACH. We don't sit behind our desks and twiddle our thumbs and let the kids run wild in the classroom. We teach because we want to. We teach because regardless of popular opinion we actually do care about the students. As for bullying the students, I'm not sure how wearing a shirt one day out of the week is bullying the students or the families. At least at my school we are NOT telling the students "you and your parents better pay me a higher salary or I'm not teaching you anymore." My students could care less about my red shirt. I simply told them it was a teacher thing and left it at that. That's my school. Has anyone who believes we are bullying the kids ever asked the kids? As for the contract and the items the FTA is fighting for - how many people look for a job that pays the least? Of course teachers are going to go to the districts that have desirable salaries and Framingham is one of them.

I have worked in Boston as well as Framingham - Boston has a much more desirable salary schedule... however I came back to Framingham. I came back because the town, the schools and the TEACHERS were more desirable. It is unfair to hang ALL the teachers because the leader made a bad judgement call. He didn't come to us and ask us to proofread his letter. Anyways, the real issue is class size and yes Testing. Every teacher across the country feels the stress of testing. Data shows that Framingham schools are not performing well and the FTA truly believes this can be improved with smaller class sizes. How that can be accomplished is up to the school committee. Instead of bashing teachers about whining for their COLA why hasn't the private sector demanded cuts from the administration? Four administrative positions, including the superintendent, make $600,000 a year! That could pay for 12 new teachers. Or maybe provide a space for another classroom. I don't have that answer - it seems no one does. But it doesn't seem like anyone is willing to engage in the discussion to see how it could be done. As I said before, this whole situation sickens me. I love my school and the staff. They are amazing and talented people. They work their butts off every day to help make a difference in their students' lives - academically and socially. We want what is best for the kids and we won't apologize for that. Anything less is an injustice to them. Throw stones if you must.

Robin, your argument seems to be well the administrators are getting money so why shouldn't we? I'm OK with cleaning house of administration that's not worth the money. Tell us specifically where to start looking. What positions are getting a chunk of money and giving us little to no return on that money?

That being said, many in the private sector have not seen a raise a years. And truthfully, they have taken much more of a hit in terms of more work, less pay, and huge stress levels that make the teachers complaints pale in comparison and why many of us consider your complaints just whining.

Look eventually the economy will turn around, the private sector will get its raises again and we'll be happy to share a part of those with you for the contributions you make.

So maybe instead of the union coming to those who are trying to get by on less and less, instead focus all of their energies enlightening us where we can tighten our belts on the administration side and maybe pass on some of those savings to those of you in the trenches.

@robin - i thank you and all the other teachers who do their best in trying situations. i recognzize the job that they do and appreciate it. As far as the administrative position, you mention - yes they could hire teachers with that money and possibly provide space for classrooms somewhere but you might want to read the report from the state which severy criticized Framingham for its lack of administrative oversight in a number of areas, and cited it as a deficiency of the system, You might also want to be reminded that when the SC was considering leaving those positions vacant to keep other programs/staff in place, the FTA was one of those calling for the hiring of those positions saying that they were essential to the district and to their ability to educate the students. As fas as not having the answers, that is a big deal because it would be foolish for either the SC or the FTA to enter into a contract without measuring and achievable guidelines. The answers need to be in place and mutually agreeable or no real progress can be made...

The pivate sector requested numerous times that the district not fund the Asst Supt position and many of the asst principal now in place (even in the elementary schools) but the FTA clamored for them..

I have worked in the private sector in the past, and I currently work in the public sector, as a teacher. In my personal experience, the latter has been much more demanding yet at the same time more fulfilling. However, what so often strikes me about these squabbles is how so many of the individuals who condescendingly lecture teachers for being lazy whiners are firing off these messages from their cubicles every hour or two. Meanwhile, I am up in front of a room of students, teaching. Now, I do get an hour a day to sit at my desk, but that's the same hour in which it's necessary for me to plan the other 5+ hours of curriculum and grade the assignments that my 100+ students have completed. I don't remember very many days at my office job when I would spend 1 hour a day planning a 5 hour presentation, but maybe I just lucked out and never should have left my old job!

But, ultimately the thing that most kills me is how angry some individuals are at public sector unions because their own jobs are hectic, stressful, and don't extend them raises. Yes, unions are responsible for that. Unions are the driving force behind wage stagnation in this country. I mean, come on, people. Find a new enemy. Because the real ones, the ones who ACTUALLY take home COLAs on the scale of millions every year, are laughing at you for fighting their fight for them.

No. Public sector unions are not responsible for the stagnation of the private sector. No one ever said they did. Again words seeming to be put into peoples mouths.

The issue is the public sector asking for more from the private sector while the private sector gets less. Why is this such a DIFFICULT CONCEPT for you to understand? The public sector CAN NOT SURVIVE without the public sector - but somehow the public sector thinks it should. And even though we have a government which prints money out of its magical printing press with nothing to back up those magical dollars - sooner or later that house of cards is going to come crashing down.

The public sector needs the private sector for money - ITS THAT SIMPLE! If the private sector workers get less then as a result there is less to give to YOU. THIS IS SIMPLE MATH!

You are one right about one thing - there is a class of people which is getting way to much for what they do. We had the financial wizards of wall street (with help from the clowns in Washington) almost bring this country to economic ruin due to greed and stupidity. There is no reason certain executives should be bringing in the money they are - which could definitely be spread out to some of the harder working lower people in companies.

All the private sector is asking you to do is be patient and wait for their raises to return. Is this not fair?

If Framingham residents supported teachers the way they deserve, this town wouldn't have a horrible school system with almost 30 children in a room and still expected to do well on their tests. Towns with good school systems, have parents supporting their teachers!

I have been reluctant to chime in on this issue as I do have children in the Framingham Schools, but Nancy what you wrote is what many of us are thinking.

I do NOT believe that the FTA President is the only one who wrote the email and is the only member of the FTA who thought this 'stress' campaign was a great idea. What they are sorry about is that the Framingham Patch reported on it.

I have been a supporter of the teachers. I still am. I think they deserve a fair contract - just like every other union has now received in town.

What is not fair is this terrible stress campaign by the FTA president (and the FTA board).

I would love to see teachers - using their real names - come out and admit that their president, executive board and union screwed up. You did. Admit it.
I think if a majority of the 1,000 teachers who are in the union did that here, you would earn the support of the parents, who were with you up until this 'stress' campaign!

FPS teachers -- please prove me right that you disagree with your president and FTA board and they you are sorry for their tactics. Post your opinion here and use your real name just like many of us parents are!!

This "apology" is almost as offensive as the original letter: "The recent communication that has become controversial has been blown out of proportion – our focus has been on making connections. For any misunderstanding about the intent, I apologize." So in other words, Miskin is only sorry that it became controversial and people "misunderstood"? This may be the most insulting pseudo-apology I've ever seen, because it assumes that the very people that have largely supported Miskin and the Union are SHEEP who will believe whatever lies of convenience they are told. Here's how that apology SHOULD look: "I apologize for my poor judgment and lapse in decent and ethical behavior. I listened to the wrong advisors and realize that I behaved badly and represented the teachers poorly. The survey was intended exactly as you all read it, and there was no misunderstanding on your part. I'm truly sorry that I tarred all the wonderful Framingham teachers with my brush, and sorry for not only offending the taxpayers with my bad behavior but then also insulting their intelligence with my excuse for an apology. I intend to step down as FTA president so that negotiations can resume without all of the distractions that my negative and reprehensible actions have brought, and will work to ensure that the behavior modeled by the Union represents the morals, ethics and values we work so hard to teach our young students". Try that one, Sam?

Teacher says: But leaving it in the SC Policy makes it pretty easy for people to over enroll classes
Dont classes with lots of kids get aides? You know if your language goes into a union contract there is no way that money could be budgeted to deal with those items.

Robin: First have the union admit that it keeps bad and lazy teachers in the classroom, just because they have seniority.
Second is that Framingham needs to stop teaching Spanish and Portuguese in the classroom and teach English to all students.
Third hold parents accountable. If a student is not turning in homework and not passing tests. Fail them. Don't just keep passing them on.
Finally, stop trying to be parents and teach discipline in schools. Teach the subjects you were trained to teach - math, science, history, English.
If a child is not behaving - send them home. If they keep not behaving expel them.
All of this worked when I was in the Framingham schools. It worked when my kids were in the Framingham school and it should work just the same for when my grandkids are in school here in Framingham.

Putting the class size cap in contract language, as well as the "well-defined day" is problematic for the very reasons many have stated. It becomes "grievable" with all that the grievance process entails. And let's be realistic, the urgency in getting such language into the FTA contract is to set a precedent for the MTA to take to other communities during those negotiations.

Regarding the practicalities of hard-and-fast class size language in in the contract

Balancing better during kindergarten school choice can impact kindergarten class sizes. However, that doesn't address new children moving into town during the school year. Does the union propose that new families with children in different grades should have to split them up because one of the siblings may push one class over the cap? Or, does that school open a new class for that one child "extra" child? Adding a class in the middle of the year, should the school or district shuffle all the kids at that grade level to make the classes evenly sized? Wouldn't that be horribly disruptive for the very children we are ALL so interested in protecting from stress so they can learn? Conversely, if several children leave during the year, do we dismiss the "spare" teacher and collapse the classes with the remaining teachers, again stressing the children who should be focused on learning? To say nothing of whether there are enough physical classrooms in the buildings to play this musical chairs game, or will we have to rent modular classrooms?