The NAEA forwarded to me copy for an advertisement being placed. Here it is:
Open Letter from the Nazareth Area Education Association
Dear Parents:
As you may be aware, we, the teachers of Nazareth Area School District, requested fact finding in hopes that a state-appointed mediator would recommend a fair and reasonable compromise. Under the relevant law (Acts 195 and 88), the mediator is required to make specific recommendations based on what all of the other comparable districts are providing. What the mediator is not legally allowed to do is comment on issues that are already submitted to arbitration, cherry-pick which districts he uses for his comparisons, or recommend that the parties meet and discuss an issue or submit the issue to mediation or arbitration. Unfortunately, the mediator chose to ignore the law and issue a completely one-sided recommendation favoring the District. Specifically, he violated the law by, among other things:
- Repeatedly cherry-picking the comparison group he uses to “justify” his findings: To justify his finding in favor of the District in the case of salary, he selects IU 20 school entities as his comparison group even though many of the school districts included are far outside of the Lehigh Valley area, rural rather than suburban and much poorer than Nazareth SD. When justifying his premium share finding in favor of the District, he selects the only district that has premium share defined as a percentage of salary in the two-county area, Salisbury SD, even though that District is not in the IU 20 group, a contiguous district or in the same county. In the case of the other issues, he simply ignores comparisons altogether whenever they would run counter to his findings.
- Repeatedly cherry-picking the facts he uses as the basis of his findings: When discussing salary, he ignores the fact that most of the districts in IU 20 are rural rather than suburban, well outside the Lehigh Valley area and significantly poorer than Nazareth SD (which has a rapidly growing tax base). More significantly, he ignores the fact that, when compared with the salaries offered by other IU 20 school districts, Nazareth professionals’ salaries rank near the bottom once adjustment is made for the number of years of experience. When discussing premium share, he ignores the fact that Salisbury SD provides a top-of-the-line Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan whereas Nazareth SD provides a substantially inferior plan.
- Citing phantom facts in support of his findings: To justify his premium share finding, he cites skyrocketing healthcare costs even though the data clearly shows that the Nazareth SD pays substantially less than all of the other area districts and has only had about a 10% total increase in its premium share over the last seven years.
- Addressing two issues in his report even though he was told that those issues had already been grieved and submitted to arbitration: Specifically, he was told that both the issue concerning days worked in August and the issue over the District’s unilateral reduction in healthcare coverage had already been submitted to arbitration and therefore should not be part of his report.
- Repeatedly recommends that issues, such as healthcare coverage, should be settled by meet and discuss, mediation and submission to “interest” arbitration. Not only is such a recommendation in direct violation of Acts 195 and 88; it would require the Association to forgo its rights to bargain the issues and to pursue enforcement of its rights via the grievance process. “Meet and discuss” are terms of art under the law and submission of an issue to meet and discuss by the Association results in its losing its right to bargain or grieve it. The District could simply unilaterally decide to stop providing healthcare coverage altogether and the Association would not be able to do anything about it.
We remain committed to working out a fair and reasonable compromise with the District, but we cannot accept a recommendation that violates the law by requiring that we give up our rights. All we are asking is that a teacher at Nazareth receive the same compensation and other benefits as teachers with the same years of experience at comparable school districts. If the District would simply restore our healthcare coverage to what the contract requires and make a modest compromise on salary, we could probably resolve the other issues in a short period of time. Unfortunately, the District continues to stall on the healthcare issue and refuses to compromise at all on the salary issue. If that continues, we will have no choice but to do what we most do not want to do: declare a lockout based on the District’s unilateral reduction in our healthcare coverage.
Nazareth Area Education Association
27 comments:
Boy, do I love this letter. Yet another shot in the foot for the union.
Since we are a "richer" district than others, why not pilfer from the tax base to jack up our salaries well above the average increase rate.
Cherry picking? I cherry picked from ALL surrounding districts, did my own comparisons and still found our teachers to be well compensated. They have a shorter school day than any other surrounding district (rich or poor), and on an hourly basis, make around the same amount as all these other districts, and in some cases, more. So that argument just doesn't fly.
And, once again, in the true fashion of the groups representing the NAEA, all they have done here is throw stones at the fact finder. No where in this letter does the spokesperson address exactly what the union wants.
Slinging mud is only doing the teachers a major dis-service. There is something else going on here, and my guess it all ties back to the pay raises recently given to the administrators.
We do have some great teachers in this district (but then again, we also have some really bad ones as well). I have no problem giving them a fair contract. From everything I have seen offered to them, they have already received that. If they are asking for more than what the rest of us get in the corporate world, don't expect a lot of support.
Also, don't point to the fact that this is a rich district and you should get more from us. Yes, there are some "rich" people in this district, but there are also some I am sure are living from paycheck to paycheck. To demand that you get more than your fair share is selfish.
A growing tax base...yes, but in comparison it is not a industrial tax base but rather a residential one, unlike that of surrounding districts to which the union are comparing themselves to. Why not compare yourselves to Bangor, Pen Argyl school districts. They're suburban...and are paid much less. I agree that a lot of money is being spent foolishly....let's spend some more? I think not.
Again, the Union allowed this poorly written letter out to the public. Yikes, who wrote this?!? I agree with the first comment, the Union just "cherry-picks" apart the fact-finder and provides no facts of what they want. Teachers please speak up and let your concerns be known.
This letter was most likely authored by either the head of the English Department or the coach for the debated team. In either case, it says what I have been saying for years abouth NASD -- OVERRATED!
Many working families would like to have Nazareth Area School District's inferior health care, dental & eye plan even @$50 a month and consider themselves forunate. And I think 4.6%/year is very generous considering the work year is only 9 months. If you only work 3/4 of the year isn't the annual increase actually around 6.133% (.75 of annual increase = 6.133) I do not think the independant mediator violated the law, I think he found that the District was offering a fair contract and you are in violent disagreement. I think you should also compare your salaries and benefits to the average Joe as well as other Distrcits.
A Nazareth Alumni & Parent
It's time for the teachers to accept the fact that they are being compensated fairly. They are not gaining the public's sympathy by complaining about the cost of health care. We all pay more than than do now and still more than they would have to under the proposed contract. This letter and comments made in the papers this morning, IMO, make them sound like spoiled brats who are not getting their way. They didn't like the district's offer, they don't like the fact finder's findings, they don't want a mediator at their meetings....in other words..they want it their way or no way. I wish they would print the names of the 4 teachers who voted for the contract so that I could personally thank them and congratulate them for their obvious level-headed thinking.
I would love to buy those four teachers a drink. What they did took a lot of nerve.
The unfortunate part is that there are many residents that think we should just give the teachers what they want (I know, I have heard it from a few).
I work twelve months a year, typically put in a minimum 60 hour per week (including weekends at times), shell out over 5% of my gross income in benefit contributions (medical, dental and vision), have a 401K plan that relies on the stock market, haven't seen a pay raise in a couple of years (except for moving to a new company) and can be laid off/fired tomorrow.
So teachers out there, tell me, exactly where is the major problem with what you currently have and what you are being offered?
You work nine months a year, have less than an eight hour work day, contribute almost nothing (compared to the rest of us) on benefits, have a fully funded pension, are guaranteed an annual pay increase, and once you have tenure, can never be fired or laid off, regardless of how bad your performance might be.
Don't give me the "we teach the future" story any more. My kids are in the district and I personally think it should be changed to "we teach the PSSA's", but I digress.
The union reps make it sound like they should have more than the average joe out here. If that is the case, shame on you. If it is not the case, you need to fire your spokesperson and tell the community what you really want.
As for those blindly supporting the teachers on this, you need to pull your head out of the sand and look at the reality of this situation.
anyone seen the posting of the proposal yet? looked for it on the district website---feel I can't have an opinion until I really know the facts but we the "people"who pay the taxes/salaries seem to be in the dark about what each side wants or refuses to give---shed us some light with some actual facts
The previous poster said it best - fire your spokesperson and tell us what you want. No one in the community seems to know what that is, even the teachers I know, when asked, don't give me a clear answer. This guy that is speaking for the union seems to be a "Union Man" - let's make sure we get what WE want. I'd hate to see a strike now. The high school kids are almost 3/4 of the way thru their first semester. Strike now and you really throw them off balance. Or don't the teachers care about the kids?? I am really starting to wonder what they care about. Let's hear some facts - what they want, what they were offered, etc.
Here is a link right to the PA Dept of Labor website that has the fact finders report. http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=136&Q=237359
I agree with the previous post to commend the 4 teachers who voted in favor of the fact finder. I am sure it was not easy taking a stand, but my hat off to you!
In speaking with a few teachers, they admit that they do not know what they are truly asking for. Yet they blindly trust their union representatives. Shame on you, be informed. You demand that your students are informed...practice what you preach.
Again, my hat off to the 4 that went against the pressure of the union.
I pulled out my slaray and earning statement and I did some math -- I pay just over 5% of my salary in contributions towards my health benifits. That does not include what I contribute towards Long Term Health coverage or life insurance -- if I add that in -- my contribution shoots up to 11%. Next year my employer will give us a 2.5% pay raise.
That is all I have to say on the subject.
Although you all assume that the teachers have rejected this report solely based on the health care and salary issue, there are other issues as well. The fact finding report was in direct violation of Acts 195 and 88. His report suggests that we "meet and discuss". If we accept this contract and his report, than whatever the district says goes. Some of you may say, well that is how it is at my job, what the boss says goes. However, if you had the opportunity for it not to be that way, where you actually had input into your job duties, where things could be negotiated, I think that you would choose that way. We have the right to negotiate, why would we give up that right? We wish that we could trust the school board and administrators in that they would "meet and discuss" issues and not change things such as our job description, what building we work in, what grade we teach, what hours we work, when we start school, but as recent events have shown we can not trust them. Therefore, we need to protect our ability to negotiate and protect ourselves from a dictatorship.
Also, in regards to the others who continually comment on how teachers only work 9 months out of the year and we work a shorter day than most people, just as in most of your jobs our day does not end when we send our students home. Most of us are at school before our students arrive and are there long after they leave. Even when we do go home, we bring home work with us. We continue to work on projects, future lesson plans, continuing our own education etc. over the summer. Some of us also come in over the summer and work on special district projects. Most teachers provide more than academics. We teach life skills, problem solving, provide for them emotionally, give lunch money to those who don't have any, clothes to those whose families may not be able to afford them, stay after school and tutor them. For most of us, we love our job and wouldn't want to change it for the world. So please stop judging us by our short work day, as you see it really doesn't end at 3:00.
I'll accept what you say at face value. However, one can assume that other teachers in other districts are putting in the same before/after school hours as the Nazareth teachers. Again, the comparison of salaries doesn't wash as they have a longer school day and theoretically are putting in the same extra hours.
Again, in the fashion of the union spokesperson, no additional details are provided as to the WHY of the rejection, only throwing stones at the report and the administration.
This is your opportunity. It is completely anonymous.
Tell us, what are the teachers really looking for?
Tell us, the people that pay your salary
If your workday doesn't end at 3:00 and you work over the summer on your own time, why not simply change the contract to reflect the actual hours that the average teacher works in a year. As a Nazareth graduate, college graduate, and Nazareth business owner, I would gladly stand by the proposed union contract if teachers agree to work 1920 hours per year. This equates to working 40 hours a week for 48 weeks (a typical requirement for a salaried private-sector employee with 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year). That would still put teachers ahead of the game compared to most of the college-educated work-force in the Lehigh Valley considering the private sector does not get tenure, guaranteed pension, and salary not based on individual performance but seniority.
I find it alarming that the educated people paid to teach our children “…life skills, problem solving, provide for them emotionally, give lunch money to those who don't have any, clothes to those whose families may not be able to afford them, stay after school and tutor them” really teach children that in life, look out for number one, because when you become an adult, nobody else will.
Anon 5:10
From your comments I think you are a teacher. My comments are coming at you from the corporate world. I am paid a flat salary, I do not work a 40 hour week. There are numerous days that I would 11-12 hours. I contribute to the United Way, I give to families that my company is sponsoring at Christmas, I work on the weekends. I do extra projects, not for more pay, but because I have been told to do them. I take classes to further my career (at my expense) and guess what...
I WILL NOT GET ABOVE A 3% INCREASE, I HAVE SEEN MY HEALTHCARE COST RISE EVERY YEAR AND I DO NOT HAVE JOB SECURITY!! I HAVE BEEN AT MY JOB FOR OVER 15 YEARS, NO TENURE, I AM EXPECTED TO PERFORM
So in closing, stop whinning!
To those in the "corporate world":
Please stop comparing a teacher's workday, pay, time off, etc. to yours. This is comparing apples and oranges. You chose to be in your job just as we chose ours. We, yes I am a teacher, are not whining about how much we pay, we are asking that we pay an amount comparable to other school districts. You are the ones who sound like you are whining about your small raises, lack of job security, hours worked, etc. If you think we have it so great, go to school get a degree in education and come join us.
To Anon 5:10,
You really do not know how the corporate world works. We do not work under a dictatorship. We negotiate our job duties, location, hours, salary, etc. everytime we interview for a new job and EVERY year when we go through performance appraisals.
Striking is not negotiating. The difference between the corporate workforce and the public education system is that we don't have the ability to strike. We can quit and move on (and we can be fired or downsized). We have to negotiate within our own companies or find one with a better fit.
I think the union system is doing you an injustice if you are an excellent teacher. It is very hard for taxpayers to feel good about across the board increases for all teachers, good and bad. Let's be honest, not every teacher is good at what they do, however, you are all compensated on length of service as opposed to merit. I would think you would want the system to change. Not every teacher cares and does all that you do according to your post, some chose to be teachers to have summers off and go home at 3.
You are wrong-- many of us would prefer to negotiate for ourselves and be compensated based on merit.
The proposed contract is fair for the district as a whole compared to others in the area. Are there individual teachers in the district who deserve more at their levels? Absolutely. But, unfortunately you are all lumped together.
To Anon 5:10,
You really do not know how the corporate world works. We do not work under a dictatorship. We negotiate our job duties, location, hours, salary, etc. everytime we interview for a new job and EVERY year when we go through performance appraisals.
Striking is not negotiating. The difference between the corporate workforce and the public education system is that we don't have the ability to strike. We can quit and move on (and we can be fired or downsized). We have to negotiate within our own companies or find one with a better fit.
I think the union system is doing you an injustice if you are an excellent teacher. It is very hard for taxpayers to feel good about across the board increases for all teachers, good and bad. Let's be honest, not every teacher is good at what they do, however, you are all compensated on length of service as opposed to merit. I would think you would want the system to change. Not every teacher cares and does all that you do according to your post, some chose to be teachers to have summers off and go home at 3.
You are wrong-- many of us would prefer to negotiate for ourselves and be compensated based on merit.
The proposed contract is fair for the district as a whole compared to others in the area. Are there individual teachers in the district who deserve more at their levels? Absolutely. But, unfortunately you are all lumped together.
Speaking to anon 8:30, thanks, but no thanks.
No, we are not whining about our jobs. The thing is, we can easily move from job to job and not start at the bottom.
As for job security, ours is based on performance (can you say the same? I think not), not being part of a union. I do my job to the best of my ability, I keep on working.
Teachers on the other hand, once you have tenure, you can pretty much do as you please, as you can't be fired. You might get moved to another position in the district, but you don't lose your job.
This issue with us in the corporate world, is when we hear the NAEA complain about their situation and expect us to fix it. YOU don't like what YOU are getting, then do what the rest of us do, go find another position that pays. I hear Parkland School District pays well.
Join the teachers, how about you join the rest of us out here in the real world that have to bust our backsides every day to prove ourselves, something that is called a challenge.
I wouldn't give it up for anything, nor would most other people. WE control our own destiny and don't need someone else to speak for us and tell us what we want.
Which, by the way, is something you left out. You are quick to complain, but short on facts.
What exactly do you want? The NAEA keeps complaining, but has NEVER EVER said what they want.
Is there any sane party to this fiasco? If the system weren't so corrupted by the union this would be over already. Public education is the law. Legal extortion to be exact. It breeds a self-serving, arrogant and seemingly clueless group of people. Such, is the way it appears to my eye. Some do care. But for the larger group, they float along and act like zombies, doing what they're told. Plodding along in union stupification.
The glimmer of hope are the teachers who stand up for doing the right thing, and not towing the union line of greed and power. Wouldn't it be wonderful if that brand of self reliance and moderation were to spread. More should be like these few. I encourage others to be a revolutionary!!!
Wow there are some angry people posting on this site... In reading over the articles from the newspaper, and as teacher in the district myself- I know the press can pick and choose what they would like to publish. I also am considering, as a parent of several kids in the district, the issue from a taxpayer perspective. I can say this about the "discussion"-
It is generally insulting that you would think that many members of our union are "zombies" and blindly following the union like a cult. This whole negotiation process is like a chess game- the board makes a move, and then the union makes a move. Quite frankly it is frustating. But it is the system we have to work in right now, and we can't change it. What many of the professionals in our school district are faced with right now is that we have to vote no to a fact finder report because of language that would allow for the district to make one-sided decisions without being able to negotiate them. In good faith, we could trust they would do the right thing- but with what they have said about us publicly, how could we believe that. I have heard many people report out that our own Board President has little respect for our teachers- that's a morale booster! Trust is a huge issue in this district, and both sides do not trust the other. Second, to those who do work in the corporate world, I am sorry you do not like the terms of my job- I work 190 days for 7.5 hours a day. I can say that I am not against a 4. whatever percent raise, and I don't even think the union and the district are too far off in what their offers are- my interpretation is it is the distribution and the compaction. The teachers are for compaction if it doesn't significantly impact your years of experience. I have been an educator for almost 12 years- yet I will only be compensated for 8 years of my experience in this new contract. Why would I sit back and say, OK, take four years of my experience away, when I could negotiate to keep it. I agree the revised salaries the board offers are comparable to other surrounding districts for incoming employees, but that also means the person coming in will catch up to me pretty quickly. And no, I will not get to the top quicker. Right now, I will get to the top in about 8 years... with the compaction, I will get to the top in 8 years. So, it's not the flat salary that is the issue, it is the manipulation within the salary schedule that is. As far as benefits go, again, it is not the raise that is the issue. Health care costs are increasing. But part of why I accepted my job in Nazareth is because it is a flat fee. I have a problem with the "percentage of salary" cost because then the district is making money back off my salary if my percentage is such that my share to healthcare is more than what the package costs... and I don't agree with the blogger that generally older people will need more healthcare. The younger staff are those who are having babies- and who is to say that they don't have more costs because their children are getting sick- or maybe have chronic illnesses. Yet that younger employee will be "funded" by the older employee salary. There should be a flat package, and then you can buy into whatever else you need...Finally, just because there is a recent "no" vote does not mean there will be a strike. I think the last thing the district people want to do is go on strike. As a parent, why would I want to do that to my kids, or any of the kids I work with in the district everyday. I am in this profession because I enjoy it- and yes, I could switch jobs, but I'm not in a money making business, I'm in a kid business. ANd if I run from this negotiation, then I am not doing my part in what I think is best for kids here- the ones I have dedicated most of my career to. Personally, I am not looking to soak the taxpayers for their wages- I would like to see some minor compromises from both sides, and for all to use the problem solving strategies not unlike we teach the kids at school- It should not be us vs. them. We should all be working together to find a common solution....and just for the record to those "corporate" comparers... I work 190 days for 7.5 hours a day. In order to get my job done, some days are 11 hour days- I give to the United Way and volunteer throughout the community in several areas. And yes, I pay a flat fee for my healthcare- but I pay a heck of a lot for all those services that are not covered for myself, and my kids and my husband. While I respect your choice to be a "money maker", I would hope you would respect my choice to educate children- a valuabe community resource. The only difference is I can't throw stones at your job because I don't get to "evaluate" you... only you and your boss can do that. But I think I would have common sense not to pick your job apart unless I had a chance to walk a day in your shoes. Plenty of volunteer opportunities available in the school- get involved and see what you are criticizing.
Health care packages do not come with a la carte side orders. An employer is provided packages from the health care provider to chose. You cannot simply ask for specific services. Ask the Union to contact Blue Cross and get the correct facts. I do not say this to be mean-spirited, but you are asking for something that does not exist with healthcare.
You are wrong about the old vs. young. Yes, children tend to get sick more often, but the cold, flu, measles, etc., are typically acute ilnesses and much cheaper to treat than chronic illness like high cholesterol, blood pressure, and other afflictions that may lead to heart disease, diabetes, etc. Older employees absolutely drive up the cost of health care for everyone.
I don’t think anybody questions the integrity of teachers or even that lack of time a teacher works compared to private residents over the year. You have to understand though, as our workday increases, wages remain relatively stagnant, and healthcare costs go through the roof, we are unwilling to pay more taxes to fund teacher salaries and benefit packages that are out of touch with what the average person gets. Maybe residents would not feel so threatened by the teacher contract if parents and administrators would stop trying to jam a new football stadium, synthetic track, and indoor pool down our throats. All we as taxpayers see is a school district with no accountability to the tax base that supports them. All the residents are asking for is that the teacher contracts follow a little more closely with the tax base that supports them.
I found this to backup my last post on healhtcare costs of old vs. young.
http://www.aarp.org/research/international/perspectives/feb_06_olderworkers.html
This is directly from the AARP website..."Defined benefit plan costs are typically higher for older workers however with the shift away from defined benefit plans replaced by defined contribution plans, the cost are more related to pay versus age. Time-off costs are not directly related to age. A newly hired worker will get equal vacation time regardless of age. On health care costs, Towers Perrin’s analysis found that employees age 50-65 use on average from 1.4 to 2.2 times as much health care as workers in their 30s and 40s. However, focusing on specific health risks such as smoking or obesity has shifted the way employers are addressing the costs related to health care. In many instances, employers are adopting programs that promote healthy behaviors in an effort to mitigate the high cost of health care premiums."
This is why the percentage vs. fixed fee healthcare contribution is being requested by the district.
To anon 10:40.
Wow, you said a lot. I wonder if you would accept a paper from one of your students written in the same fashion and give them an less than failing grade?
You state that you are not in this as a money making career (but child developing), yet all of your (and the union's) complaints are squarely focused on the financial aspects of the contract.
Let's face it, times have indeed changed, and the days of flat rate fees, especially the extremely low rates you currently pay, are long gone. Insurance costs a lot. The district, including all of its employees from the top down, number well under 1000 total, if not quite a bit less.
With these small numbers, it is nearly impossible to negotiate a stellar package because you don't have enough people to make it worthwhile to the companies to give you better rates. If multiple disticts banded together for the purposes of a unified health care package, then you might be able to do better.
The net of it is, it is going to either cost you or the district more each year to provide you with benefits. If the costs are put on the district, that takes money away from other programs, or, forces them to increase the tax rate, which again, hits the taxpayers.
Everything I have seen from the teachers or the union have been asking for things that are just not what is seen in the corporate world any more due to rising costs. Are teachers now exempt from reality?
I also would like you to explain why you believe us in the corporate world are only in it for the money? No other industries are valuable to the community? If we were all teachers, where would we be?
I personally love my job, and yes, I do make a higher than average salary for this area. That is because I do it extremely well (because I love it) and am sought out by other companies that want my experience and are willing to pay me to come work for them. Not because of greed, but because they throw out a bigger challenge each time.
You seem concerned with what you co-workers (expecially the new ones) are making. I personally don't have a clue as to what others in my role make because we don't talk about salaries and are paid on merit, not a contract. I understand that you cannot change this, but, that is the life and career you chose.
I don't hear you complaining that teachers at the same level as you, but are poor teachers, are making the same amount as you. Why doesn't this bother you as well?
On the volunteer side, yes, we have volunteered, although the schools and teachers are not as accepting of it as you state.
Last, you talk about the attacks by the board on the union. Well, to be bluntly honest, I have seen way more personal attacks against the board and administrator coming from the NAEA. It has actually started to sound a bit childish in my humble opinion.
I could support the NAEA if they would be open and honest and stick to the facts. To date, it has been attacks and bending of the truth (truth not from the district, but through simple research). I believe you have lost the PR battle on this one.
Anon 10:48
There are many angry sounding posts on this site, including yours. I am sure it all stems from frustration.
Please don't assume that all posters who feel that the proposed contract is fair are 'anti-teacher' or 'money-hungry corporate monsters'.
Some of us do volunteer in the schools and definitely appreciate the good teachers. Some of us also recognize that not all teachers are good.
In your post you say that you are not unhappy with the percentage increase proposed for you, but that newer teachers will catch up to you faster. As a professional, you should only be concerned with your own situation and not with where others will be. I am insulted that new teachers have been called inexperienced and inept in some posts (I am not a teacher) and the older, more experienced teachers seem to be angry with what the new teachers will receive. New teachers have value too and bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the district. Starting salaries are adjusted upward in the corporate world also for retention and growth purposes.
I think you should be more upset with your co-workers who are not as good as you, but are getting the same raise and are allowed to keep their job.
Good teachers should be vocal over the system they are forced to work in and use their voices not to discourage decent pay raises to the newcomers, but to ask to be judged based on merit. If you are good, you have nothing to worry about and only to gain. The public school system would have the accountability they are shooting for and perhaps the focus would go back to the students and not these standardized tests that are taking over.
As for healthcare, I am sure a flat-rate contribution 12 years ago was very attractive. 15 years ago my HMO contribution was $0. Absolutely free. When I was in my 20's and almost never went to the doctor-- I paid $0 yearly. I can't find a company anywhere that will match that now. I also have my rules changed yearly. You are actually quite lucky that under your system, you can see the future for a few years as far as healthcare contributions. The teachers need to accept that healthcare needs to go up for them too. You do work in a small district and the package will never match that of a larger district.
Anon 10:48-
Anon 10:48-
I am a stay at home mother of several children in the Nazareth schools. I have volunteered many hours at the schools. I have seen what teachers have to deal with everyday. But I also have seen what the students have to deal with everyday. There are a few great teachers in Nazareth, but there are fair shares of poor teachers in Nazareth.
Some students every year suffer through these bad teachers. (Note, every school has them and every administrator knows about them. There is nothing that is ever done to these teachers.) There is nothing that a student or parent can do except count the days until the school year is finished. Is this fair to the students? The teacher’s union seems to think so. They are willing to allow teachers to be paid on their years of service, not on their merit or performance.
I would be more than willing to allow a base salary for teachers and then raises be allocated to those teachers that have performed.
You do not give a grade to an entire class based on the performance of all the students. You give grades out based on the performance of the individual student. You grade our students on their performance, how nice it would be to grade teachers on their performance.
I realize that the Union for now is here to stay, but these are the frustrations that I feel.
And finally in regards to disrespect, I was at a meeting where Mr. Blunt addressed parents regarding the Union's position and he treated us parents like we were idiots! I feel he treated us parents and taxpayers with such disrespect that I will never respect another statement that comes from his mouth.
But who am I? Nothing more than a parent and taxpayer who is frustrated and tired of this strike hanging over our heads.
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