<p>A neighboring school district is in the process of finding a new superintendent. This district is fairly small so Cuomo’s proposed cap would probably limit the salary to the $135,000 range. We’ll know by April how sucessful the search and selection process has been, although I don’t think the cap issue will have influenced things one way or the other.</p>
<p>HudsonValley,</p>
<p>One of my friends on a School Board said that their concern is that top teachers may come close to Superintendent salary. I dont see why that is a problem.</p>
<p>I also think there has been so much “eductional” inflation. I certainly don’t think doctorates should disqualify anyone from a position, but I also don’t see them as a necessity, and dont see why that should raise pay for the position becuase of educational inflation.</p>
<p>Last year (or maybe year before?) there was a lot of publicity re a very high profile district in NJ on a bullying issue. At one point, the superindent gave an interview indicating that he saw no reason for kids to volunteer on college applications if they had been suspended. It was clear he had no knowledge that the applications themselves required the school to disclose and he opened up a storm of complaints to colleges by other kids as to unfair treatments of suspensions. While I agree that college acceptance is not the sole purpose of these high profile school districts, it is certainly part of it. The school district shut this guy up. I know this would have not have happened in my school district, where unlike this district, the superindent does not have a doctorate, but does have years of experience as GC and english teacher in our district. </p>
<p>I also note that Walker’s proposal’s would take aim at inflacted educational requirements. School nurses would be required to have BS, only be RN. Teachers in charter schools would need Bachelors but not full certification.</p>
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<p>My DH and I come from two families full of educators (teachers, principals, etc.) and we both strongly respect the profession, but we also question states and districts with over-bloated pension programs that can’t be supported in rough economic times. My DH is an entrepreneur and employs 8-10 people at his small software company. He does pay 100% of health care for all employees and families, but has no retirement program, no 401K, etc. The company is small and young and the $$ just isn’t there right now. His employees are all salaried and all work 50+ hours per week and they all have stock options (which may or may not ever be worth anything). Several of his employees have spouses who are educators and we have all had this conversation over dinner several times. Ultimately, we all feel that everyone needs to share the pain. If the economy is booming, high funding of pension programs for public employees is one thing. But, when the economy falters, people in the private sector take a hit on the pensions and/or lose jobs. Depending on your area and the collective bargaining agreements reached for teachers, they often aren’t subject to the same ebbs and flows of the economy. We live in a large school district in a mountain state that has done a great job of socking away reserves to minimize the cuts/impact on students, but the cuts have gotten deeper and things will be changing for the worse. Amidst all of this, our school’s much beloved principal is switching jobs and as part of a conversation about his new position, he let slip that he will be eligible for 100% pension in 5 years (at age 51). I don’t begrudge him looking forward to that opportunity and looking forward to the potential of a second career in his 50s and 60s, but I’m not sure we can afford this on an ongoing basis. </p>
<p>I know there are places where the pensions aren’t this generous, but in places where this does exist and where the economy and tax base can no longer support it, I think cuts need to be made. In the private sector, cuts would be made or companies would go out of business (e.g. big auto). I truly respect teachers and most I know will tell you they’re not in it for the $$, but I also think they need to be realistic and understand that when there’s limited funding, cuts will be made. I get making the choice to go in to education…many of my friends do it not only b/c they love kids, but also for the time off, the pension, benefits, etc. That’s a legitimate reason for taking the job – in the private sector, we all make those types of choices too. But, if the $$ isn’t there, the $$ isn’t there.</p>
<p>Finally, I wanted to acknowledge how frustrating it is for teachers to feel like people are constantly meddling in their industry. I’ve had teacher friends who have talked about how they would never deign to make assumptions about their students’ parents’ jobs, so why do these people do the same for them. Unfortunately, I think that’s the nature of the beast. For lack of a better term, parents and students are the teacher’s customers and as customers, we’re going to be curious about the cost structure/prices of the products being provided. We’re also in the dual role of employer given as tax payers we contribute to the pool that pays for education. I get that it’s frustrating, but it’s also reality.</p>
<p>Here’s a good article</p>
<p>Proposed Cuts Strike Teachers as Attacks on Their Value to Society</p>
<p><a href=“Proposed Cuts Strike Teachers as Attacks on Their Value to Society - The New York Times”>Proposed Cuts Strike Teachers as Attacks on Their Value to Society - The New York Times;
<p>Part of the problem is that right now college students have it really hard, because no one can get a job doing anything! (my well prepared and go getting law clerks can not find anything after 3 years of law school, without enormous luck.) so they may as well pursue a path they love, and then expect to be adaptable to the job market.</p>
<p>My son is graduating in may with a double major in math and government, and has decided (if he gets in) to do a 13 month combined teaching certification/MA secondary teaching program. We understand based on some research and inquiries that our metropolitan area (which covers quite a few school districts) continues to have need for math teachers in middle and high schools, especially in underserved areas, and that they particularly seek out the students from this program.</p>
<p>On the other hand, my son says that he definitely feels unprepared for the work world NOW, with just a bachelors, and that a year of mentored teaching and getting a masters will prepare him much more for a range of real world jobs… so even if he decides he hates teaching, or there are no teaching jobs… he’ll be prepared to look for government or non-profit or consulting or other jobs using his quantitative and education and government/policy … so the teaching prep will not go to waste.</p>
<p>Pink slips announced in my elementary/middle school District last week. All teachers who have been in the District for less than 10 years will get a pink slip UNLESS they have a credential in: </p>
<p>Math
Science
Spanish
Special Ed</p>
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<p>Yep, those continue to be the areas where shortages still exist – target those areas. As I posted earlier, Spanish is the ideal companion to teaching ESL, if you wish to be first choice for a job opening.</p>
<p>Camathmom, my prayers are with the families. Is it clear that all will be laid off, or is this just precautionary, waiting till state aid numbers are finalized?</p>
<p>kayf: These layoffs WILL occur unless the Governor’s proposed tax hike is passed by the legislature AND the electorate in CA. I’m not holding my breath that this tax hike will be passed. Yes, it is very sad. Here’s an example where seniority cannot protect teachers who have been teaching for a decade at the same school!</p>
<p>Camath, I still assume that seniority by subject is the only criteria for layoffs. And in NYC, in a few obscure areas, teachers with 15 years in are on layoff list.</p>
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posted with regard to NYU.</p>
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<p>Kayf…I just have to ask…the above posts by you make it appear that you are a college sophomore. Is this the case?</p>
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<p>Above posted today by Kayf also…sounds like she is a 19 or 20 year old. Just saying!!</p>
<p>Isn’t this usually where the poster says their kid was sharing the cc account with them?</p>
<p>kids plural yes</p>
<p>But man I am thrilled if someone thinks I am 19</p>
<p>LOL-- then posters get to blame the kids for the posts!! Brilliant!</p>
<p>Most parents and kids have separate cc accounts. One of my s’s set up an account just to mess with me several years ago. It was pretty funny!</p>
<p>Actually, I would be impressed with any 19YO who could understand the economics of teachers pensions and why they are breaking the bank at localities.</p>
<p>Our pension is NOT breaking the bank in Texas. We teachers are all paying in - including paying in for health care for retirees (and this money is not credited to our accounts). Problem is that state is not kicking in the amount they should - they have reduced their contribution…</p>
<p>Anxious, I am not familiar with Texas. I do not know what amount the state shoudl be kicking in is. In many states, the pensions are breaking the states.</p>
<p>If there are widespread hiring freezes and layoffs this year, that means there may be a strong market to hire new teachers by the time you graduate. It is “pent up demand.” Also, some districts would prefer to hire new graduates right out of college vs. someone with a couple years of experience and/or a master’s degree because the district can pay them less.</p>
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<p>In my local school district, the new Superintendent is trying to get rid of all honors levels classes in high school, and replace the teachers with much cheaper part-time community college instructors. The honors classes would be re-classified as “dual enrollment” classes. </p>
<p>The community college adjuncts would only be required to have completed one semester of grad school, and may not have any experience in teaching (particularly high school kids) and many not have any training in educational methods.</p>
<p>In addition to budget problems that have gone on forever, now our school district is looking at decreasing attendance numbers. It’s been very hard to get on and keep your job in our district as a new teacher.</p>