H eadlines
Community Grapples With Barrack Decision
L O CAL
SELAH MAYA ZIGHELBOIM | JE STAFF
SINCE THE SCHOOL board
of Jack M. Barrack Hebrew
Academy announced it would
withdraw recognition of the
teachers union, also known as
the JBHA Faculty Association,
on Dec. 4, there have been a
range of reactions from the
larger school community,
including teachers, alumni
and parents.

“We’ve told the board that
really what the faculty asso-
ciation wants is to be able to
bargain collectively, and we’re
open to having negotiations on
whatever the issues are that
are of concern to the board
that perhaps led to their deci-
sion,” said Minna Ziskind,
union co-president
and history teacher.

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4 MARCH 14, 2019
JEWISH EXPONENT
Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy
Google Maps screenshot
As a part of our ongoing discussions with the
faculty association leadership, we have offered a
meeting ... to provide an opportunity for greater
dialogue with the faculty as a whole regarding
the Board’s decision.”
GEORGE GORDON
It seemed as though dia-
logue about the decision was
going to happen at a meeting
on March 7.

“As a part of our ongoing
discussions with the faculty
association leadership, we have
offered a meeting ... to pro-
vide an opportunity for greater
dialogue with the faculty as a
whole regarding the Board’s
decision,” said George Gordon,
school board president, in
an email to the Exponent on
March 5. “We remain com-
mitted to moving forward in
a manner that is respectful
of our teachers and enhances
the quality of the educational
experience for students.”
The meeting was open to
faculty, association members,
board members and some
administration, Gordon said.

But the union voted against
attending the meeting after the
board would not give assur-
ances as to how many board
members would be present,
Ziskind said. The union
wanted at least two-thirds of
the board members to attend.

Gordon declined to comment
afterward about the meeting.

In an email in January,
Gordon explained the board’s
action by saying the decision
“best positions the school to
continue our unique mission
of incorporating deeply-rooted
Jewish values in a rigorous
intellectual environment.” He
has not offered further explica-
tion of the decision since then.

“Essentially, what we’re con-
cerned about is how this will
impact the kind of education
we’re able to offer,” Ziskind
said. “Will we have to teach
more classes and therefore not
be able to give the same level of
attention to students? Will our
compensation packages change
in terms of retirement or in
terms of medical care?”
Teachers and some stu-
dents have begun to wear red
on Fridays to express their
See Barrack, Page 9
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM