"A woman had a medical condition," Ms. Meadow said yesterday.

There is little question that Ms. Meadow has emphatically turned things around.

"Nothing says you can't talk while you're on strike," Ms. Meadows said.

Ms. Meadows was seated in the middle of the uncrowded car, the witness said.

"These are people who really have sustained us," Ms. Meadow added.

"There are certainly more women in power, including directors," Ms. Meadow said.

Ms. Meadow plans to begin her sabbatical in August 2007.

Ms. Meadows said no one had suggested how pay increases could be financed.

What Ms. Meadow can't do is make us care about what happens to anyone.

Ms. Meadows said he thus gave the teachers no choice but to stay out.