Brizard Had a "Personality" Clash With Rochester Teachers Union Head

By Chuck Sudo in News on May 5, 2011 1:36PM

Incoming Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard is defending his record at the helm of the Rochester City Schools District, saying that he had a "pretty good" relationship with teachers in the district despite a 5 percent approval rating. Brizard chalks that to what he says is a "personality" conflict with the head of Rochester's teachers union. If he thinks he had a problem with a teachers union head in Rochester, wait until he meets Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, who's been very vocal since her election last year in opposition to the policies of charterization and school closings that Brizard and Mayor-elect Emanuel seem to be simpatico on forwarding. “Clearly his vision is one I buy into,’’ Brizard said. “If I did not believe in his vision. ... I would not have jumped at the opportunity to work with him.’’

Brizard continued to defend his record in Rochester and how it contradicts with his self-description as a reformer, while adding that he's up to the challenges he'll face at CPS.