Changing of guard at teachers' union

Power changed hands yesterday at the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers after 17 years of steady leadership under Ted Kirsch, who stepped down to focus on his presidency of one of the statewide teachers' unions.

During an afternoon meeting, the executive board of the 17,000-member PFT unanimously voted to fill Kirsch's post with Jerry Jordan, who had been PFT chief of staff, general vice president and Kirsch's closest confidant during numerous contract battles with the school district.

Jordan, 58, becomes the union's first African-American president.

"I hope this will be something that kids will be able to look at and realize that they, too, one day will be able to be in this type of position," Jordan said during an interview at the union's Chestnut Street headquarters.

Kirsch, 67, was elected president of the Pennsylvania affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers two years ago, and he was re-elected to a second two-year term this past Sunday. That union represents 38,000 employees across the state.

Kirsch, who began his career as a social studies teacher in 1960, has spent the last 24 years in PFT leadership positions. He was first elected president in 1990.

"I've always thought about when is it the right time to leave," he said during an interview.

"I think this is the perfect time; there are things lining up," he added, noting that the city and school district soon will get new leaders and, next year, the PFT will get a new contract.

James Nevels, chairman of the district's governing School Reform Commission, wished Kirsch well.

"Ted Kirsch has worked tirelessly for the children and teachers of this school district," he said. "We have spent many hours together and done good things for the benefit of our children. I wish him well as he refocuses his considerable energies and I look forward to continuing to work with my good friend Jerry Jordan." Jordan said he will serve the one year remaining in Kirsch's three-year term and then run for the presidency in his own right.

His priorities will include working to reduce class size, eliminate split classes - combinations of two grades taught by one teacher - and provide schools with librarians and art and music programs, he said.

In addition, Jordan said, he will fight hard to get pay raises for his members in the new contract that will replace the current four-year pact that expires Aug. 31, 2008.

"You're not going to retain teachers here in the city of Philadelphia under the conditions in which they are working if we don't offer them competitive salaries," said Jordan, the PFT's chief negotiator for the last two contracts.

The pay range under the current PFT contract starts at $38,153 for a first-year teacher with a bachelor's degree, and goes up to $79,240 for a senior career teacher. That range, Jordan said, places Philadelphia in 61st place out of 62 school districts in the region in what teachers earn.

The school district's financial troubles - which led to layoffs last week as part of $100 million in announced budget cuts - are of great concern to the PFT, Jordan said.

"Clearly, we need more money. But the way that the School Reform Commission spends the money is what makes all the difference," he said.

In 1976, Jordan began his career with the district teaching English as a second language. In 1987, he began his full-time union career after Kirsch appointed him to be a district staff representative for all South Philadelphia schools and some in North Philly.

"There could be no better person in this transition because he's had the experience, the good and the bad," Kirsch said of Jordan. "We've had some tough negotiations and tough union issues that we've had to deal with. But he's been there, so he's prepared for the job."

Kirsch, whose resignation becomes effective on Sunday, will remain based in Philadelphia and also will serve the PFT in a new lobbying role: political and legislative liaison.

Despite changing jobs, Kirsch said his biggest challenge will not change: getting more funding for schools.

"Everyone talks a good game and says they're in favor of education, but they really don't deliver on that," Kirsch said. "There's no cheap way of educating kids. So I think financing on the local and state level is just crucial."

Early reaction to the changing of the PFT guard was positive.

"I have the highest regard for Jerry," said J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP. "He's been loyal to Ted and a staunch supporter of union rights. We're proud he's been given this opportunity, and we'll work to help him when he runs for a full term."

Greg Wade, president of the citywide Philadelphia Home and School Council, was equally supportive.

"We've had a good relationship with both of them," Wade said. "It may be a good time to leave - Ted wants to concentrate on one thing. I think Jerry will be good for the PFT and we'll support him."

Wade said his group and the PFT plan to meet soon to work on several issues, including the district's budget woes and the PFT's upcoming contract.

"Ted Kirsch has been a forceful advocate for public education, teachers and school employees everywhere," Gov. Rendell said in a statement. "I am proud to have worked closely with Ted as mayor and governor to begin to turn around Philadelphia's public schools."

Kirsch said he is proudest of ending infighting in the PFT, of making educating children one of the union's bread-and-butter priorities and of making the union a strong political force in the city and state. *