The teachers鈥� union in Anne Arundel County, Md., took a vote of no confidence last week against Superintendent Eric J. Smith鈥攖wo months after the schools chief announced his resignation from the 75,000-student district.
Sparring with Mr. Smith is nothing new for the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County, but the union鈥檚 decision to hold a referendum to express its dissatisfaction with him in his final days struck some as overkill.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very disappointed that the teachers鈥� union finds it necessary to have to slam the door on this guy鈥檚 backside even as he walks out,鈥� said Bob Burdon, the president of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Smith has stirred considerable debate in the district since his arrival in 2002. He put all secondary schools on new daily schedules, adopted a highly scripted reading program countywide, and created pacing guides for teachers that show, day by day, what students need to learn. (鈥淎gent of Change,鈥� July 9, 2003.)
Although test scores have gone up, union leaders say Mr. Smith鈥檚 initiatives have increased teachers鈥� workloads, while their pay is lower than in most nearby systems. They also protested when, last year, he proposed a change in health-care providers for teachers without negotiating it. The plan was dropped.
鈥淭he overarching concern is there has been little respect or consideration for employees,鈥� said Sheila Finlayson, the president of the National Education Association affiliate.
Mr. Smith announced his decision to quit in early September, citing what he saw as a growing rift with the school board. His last day is slated for Nov. 23, seven months before his contract was to expire.
Last week鈥檚 vote took place among about 100 of the union鈥檚 building representatives, all but four of whom agreed they lacked confidence in Mr. Smith鈥檚 leadership.
Mr. Smith called the no-confidence vote 鈥渦nfortunate.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檝e gone through some tough times, teachers and all of us,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd we feel like we鈥檙e getting someplace together.鈥�
