By Ben Velderman
EAGnews.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Relations between D.C. school officials and the Washington Teachers’ Union are expected to become more contentious after teachers voted on Monday to replace their current president with a more “aggressive” leader.

The Washington Post reports veteran teacher and activist Elizabeth Davis defeated incumbent president Nathan Saunders by a decisive margin, 55 to 45 percent.

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That led Saunders to conclude that union members wanted a “more aggressive change than what I was dishing out.

Davis’ more confrontational style might impact the future of charter schools in the Washington D.C. district.

The Washington Informer reports the “game-changing” election results “come as Mayor Vincent C. Gray proposes legislation to give D.C. public schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson the power to approve new charter schools.

“In that event, there could be a quicker shift in the move from unionized teachers,” the Informer reports.

The news site also notes that Henderson could “acquire the leverage to disregard union rules while transforming underperforming schools to high-performing charters,” under the terms of a proposed reform bill introduced by D.C. Council member David Catania.

Looks like Davis was chosen, at least in part, to lead the fight against these potential policies.

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As WTU’s incoming president, Davis will also have a big say over whether or not the union agrees to a new collective bargaining agreement with the district.

According to the Post, outgoing WTU President Saunders was close to reaching a deal with the district “that would include salary increases and provisions for longer school days and a longer school year.”

Davis is not commenting on the possible deal until she reviews the contract language.

However, Davis has been a critic of district policies that have led to school closings and teachers reapplying for their jobs, the Post reports.

The election raises a lot of questions, but one thing is clear: The Washington Teachers’ Union will become more vocal, more aggressive and more resistant to reform in the coming months.

And that’s very bad news for D.C. families that want a quality education for their children.