Dismissal of Michael Milz a blow to Catholic Education
The following letter to the editor of the Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice appeared on June 20, 2008:
Dismissal of Michael Milz a blow to Catholic Education
Editor:
Bishop Joseph Martino’s ax fell once again as Michael Milz, President of the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers and a social studies teacher at Holy Redeemer High School, was informed by administration officials that he would not have a job for the 2008-2009 school year.
The Scranton Diocese will claim that Mr. Milz has the least seniority in the social studies department at Holy Redeemer High School, and while this is true, it is only part of the story.
When the restructuring of the schools began, James Burke, human resources director for the Scranton Diocese, guaranteed everyone who was then teaching in Luzerne County that the hiring of teachers would be based on seniority and certification throughout the Holy Redeemer system in that county. Shortly after, our leaders in Scranton reneged on this promise and set up a seniority system according to certain schools. This allowed them to protect some of their friends and isolate Milz so he would eventually be a target for dismissal.
Another part of the story comes into play when one looks at the Theology Department at Holy Redeemer High School. Presently they have a chaplain (no classes) and co-directors (James McDermott and Robert Roman) with three classes each. A recent directive from Scranton demands that all teachers be assigned six classes next year. Simple math would indicate that one director is not needed, but Scranton has decided to rescue one of its friends. In addition, Roman has been allowed to create a new course in criminal justice to justify his employment. Many schools and colleges have criminal justice in their social studies curriculum, which could provide classes for someone in that department.
Remember, Milz has been a vocal critic of Bishop Martino’s stand against labor rights for our teachers, while Roman is a staunch supporter of the Bishop’s policy, which violates 100 years of Catholic social justice teachings of the Church. I might add that Milz has been in the classroom for over three decades, while Roman only started teaching after retiring as a probation officer from Luzerne County with a pension. Does Roman have more seniority than Milz in the Diocese of Scranton?
To show the detrimental effect this situation will have on Catholic education, let me elaborate on Milz’s career.This veteran educator has taught various social studies courses for over 30 years at the former Bishop Hoban High School and now Holy Redeemer High School.
During this time, Milz has won numerous educational awards, along with being named to the well-known Who’s Who Among High School Teachers in America.
His advanced placement students consistently score high on the final test, which earns them college credits at no expense.Milz’s expertise has helped hundreds of our students gain admission to some of the most prestigious schools (Cornell University, Georgetown University, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Pennsylvania and many others) in America.
Along with being an outstanding teacher, Milz was instrumental in establishing the first local teachers union at Bishop Hoban High School, and later a diocesan organization, namely the SDACT.
This passionate leader has worked tirelessly to help teachers obtain better benefits, improve working conditions, and provide dignity to their jobs.It was Michael Milz who insisted that new teachers must be hired with a certificate in their respective fields, negating the old practice of hiring friends and putting unqualified people in the classroom.
His relationship with past bishops and negotiators has always been cordial and professional, and numerous contracts were settled in an atmosphere of civility and respect. Is it possible that Bishop Martino has instructed his “puppets” to find a way to eliminate this outstanding teacher?
The Diocese of Scranton has tried to steer the parents against a teachers’ union when they claim that it would be too expensive. Yet, the diocese raised tuition for next year, and this time it doesn’t have the union to use as a scapegoat. It is public knowledge that Bishop Martino has denied the right of teachers to form a union to protect their jobs. Remember his famous television quote, “Don’t they understand final means final?”
This arrogant comment speaks volumes about his lack of concern for the teachers and students, as well as his fear of open dialogue.
To add to the frustration, the bishop was conspicuously absent from Holy Redeemer’s initial Baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremonies last week. Seniors were upset that they had been asked to give up so much for the merger, and their shepherd did not clear his calendar for their historic day.
The dismissal of Milz is one more destructive blow to an already fragile system. Let us hope that Bishop Martino’s superiors see the light, and end the suffering in the Diocese of Scranton.
Finally, let me thank Michael Milz for all he has done for teachers and Catholic education. It has been a privilege to work with him and more importantly to call him my friend.
Keep the faith Mike, as all “dictatorships” fall sooner or later!
Jim Maloney
A proud SDACT member
Dismissal of Michael Milz a blow to Catholic Education
Editor:
Bishop Joseph Martino’s ax fell once again as Michael Milz, President of the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers and a social studies teacher at Holy Redeemer High School, was informed by administration officials that he would not have a job for the 2008-2009 school year.
The Scranton Diocese will claim that Mr. Milz has the least seniority in the social studies department at Holy Redeemer High School, and while this is true, it is only part of the story.
When the restructuring of the schools began, James Burke, human resources director for the Scranton Diocese, guaranteed everyone who was then teaching in Luzerne County that the hiring of teachers would be based on seniority and certification throughout the Holy Redeemer system in that county. Shortly after, our leaders in Scranton reneged on this promise and set up a seniority system according to certain schools. This allowed them to protect some of their friends and isolate Milz so he would eventually be a target for dismissal.
Another part of the story comes into play when one looks at the Theology Department at Holy Redeemer High School. Presently they have a chaplain (no classes) and co-directors (James McDermott and Robert Roman) with three classes each. A recent directive from Scranton demands that all teachers be assigned six classes next year. Simple math would indicate that one director is not needed, but Scranton has decided to rescue one of its friends. In addition, Roman has been allowed to create a new course in criminal justice to justify his employment. Many schools and colleges have criminal justice in their social studies curriculum, which could provide classes for someone in that department.
Remember, Milz has been a vocal critic of Bishop Martino’s stand against labor rights for our teachers, while Roman is a staunch supporter of the Bishop’s policy, which violates 100 years of Catholic social justice teachings of the Church. I might add that Milz has been in the classroom for over three decades, while Roman only started teaching after retiring as a probation officer from Luzerne County with a pension. Does Roman have more seniority than Milz in the Diocese of Scranton?
To show the detrimental effect this situation will have on Catholic education, let me elaborate on Milz’s career.This veteran educator has taught various social studies courses for over 30 years at the former Bishop Hoban High School and now Holy Redeemer High School.
During this time, Milz has won numerous educational awards, along with being named to the well-known Who’s Who Among High School Teachers in America.
His advanced placement students consistently score high on the final test, which earns them college credits at no expense.Milz’s expertise has helped hundreds of our students gain admission to some of the most prestigious schools (Cornell University, Georgetown University, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Pennsylvania and many others) in America.
Along with being an outstanding teacher, Milz was instrumental in establishing the first local teachers union at Bishop Hoban High School, and later a diocesan organization, namely the SDACT.
This passionate leader has worked tirelessly to help teachers obtain better benefits, improve working conditions, and provide dignity to their jobs.It was Michael Milz who insisted that new teachers must be hired with a certificate in their respective fields, negating the old practice of hiring friends and putting unqualified people in the classroom.
His relationship with past bishops and negotiators has always been cordial and professional, and numerous contracts were settled in an atmosphere of civility and respect. Is it possible that Bishop Martino has instructed his “puppets” to find a way to eliminate this outstanding teacher?
The Diocese of Scranton has tried to steer the parents against a teachers’ union when they claim that it would be too expensive. Yet, the diocese raised tuition for next year, and this time it doesn’t have the union to use as a scapegoat. It is public knowledge that Bishop Martino has denied the right of teachers to form a union to protect their jobs. Remember his famous television quote, “Don’t they understand final means final?”
This arrogant comment speaks volumes about his lack of concern for the teachers and students, as well as his fear of open dialogue.
To add to the frustration, the bishop was conspicuously absent from Holy Redeemer’s initial Baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremonies last week. Seniors were upset that they had been asked to give up so much for the merger, and their shepherd did not clear his calendar for their historic day.
The dismissal of Milz is one more destructive blow to an already fragile system. Let us hope that Bishop Martino’s superiors see the light, and end the suffering in the Diocese of Scranton.
Finally, let me thank Michael Milz for all he has done for teachers and Catholic education. It has been a privilege to work with him and more importantly to call him my friend.
Keep the faith Mike, as all “dictatorships” fall sooner or later!
Jim Maloney
A proud SDACT member
posted by SDACT at
5:35 AM
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