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Warning to complete two tasks: (1) utilize a resource guide and certain
identified strategies (previously presented to her by Principal Runyan)
to develop and put into practice a plan to improve communication with
staff; provide evidence that team meetings are being conducted and of
any other methods used to accomplish the goal; (2) produce evidence
of weekly lesson plans and themes, documenting the amount of time
each student is engaged in “standard-based instruction.”
For the March 1, 2005, evaluation conference, Warning brought
with her a union representative, Beth Wierzbicki. Rather than discuss
the evaluation, Warning and Beth took this opportunity to argue with
Runyan about the evaluation form, itself. They insisted that Runyan
was required to rate each of the subcategories contained within the
main evaluation domains. Runyan, however, asserted that the
collective-bargaining agreement did not require him to rate the
individual subcategories and that he would not do so since the
evaluation clearly indicated the areas of concern regarding Warning’s
deficiencies.
At the close of this meeting, Principal Runyan told Beth that her
services would no longer be necessary at subsequent remediation
meetings. Warning objected and Beth asserted the position that
Warning was entitled to union representation because Warning’s job
was on the line. Principal Runyan, however, expressed his belief that
representation was neither necessary nor required at performance
based meetings.
The next scheduled meeting between Warning and Principal
Runyan was set for March 4, 2005. Beth accompanied Warning and,
according to notes Beth took, they again spent much of the time during
this second meeting requesting additional clarification as to the
specific performance objectives in which Warning was rated
unsatisfactorily. Beth’s notes indicated that she and Warning debated
with Runyan on the requirements of the Illinois Learning Standards.
Also, Warning tried to demonstrate to Principal Runyan how her
lesson plans were based on the Learning Standards, as well as her
students’ IEPs (Individual Education Plans). Beth noted that, at one
point during the meeting, Principal Runyan received a phone call. Beth
then directed Warning to retrieve her lesson plans and the Illinois
Assessment Book from her classroom. Upon her return, Beth and
Warning debated further with Principal Runyan over the application
