Could I have your opinions on a school issue?

[goofy4tink]

gemmie214....I just double-checked my town's annual report, which lists all town employees salaries. Our p/t teachers are getting mid-20's, teachers with a long history with school system and masters are in the very high 50's. Most of our teachers have masters. I have followed them around. I do know what they do. I have great respect for most teachers. A for instance....vast majority of our (at least in my dd's elem. school) teachers get to school at 8:30-8:45. If they have playground/bus duty it's 8:20. Classes start at 8:55. Each day they have one period where the kids are out of the classroom doing music, art, gym (twice a week), library for 40 minutes. Then a 45 minute lunch. And then once a week an hour grade team meeting, which happens during the school day which means someone has to cover their classroom. Classes are dismissed at 3:00. By 3:15 the parking lot is at least 50% empty. I just question why their meetings can't be after school. Believe me. Since I started working in the school I can't understand how these people do this every single day, for years on end. They must really love children. I have seen incredible things. It's amazing what these teachers have to put up with. Do I think teachers are worth as much money as they can get?? Yep, in most cases. Our town is way too heavy on admin. costs. I'd like to see some of them go away and be able to keep more paras so the teachers can keep teaching. And yes, sad to say, these teachers are spending waaaay to much out of their own pockets. Even as a volunteer I was spending money for the library!! The money just isn't in the budget. But don't talk about cutting sports, the holy cow of schools!!!
Skuttle....please don't think that I think all teachers are working few hours. NOthing is farther from the truth. I know what extra's some teachers are putting in. My dd is a preschool teacher and is there all the time. I don't think she has a home life!! I could never do this job. I've been doing it for 2 weeks and can't wait for summer vacation!!! It's just that in our town the teachers are a lilttle spoiled. The older, experienced teachers don't seem to have a problem. It's the younger teachers, the ones making mid-30's that want fewer duties, but more pay. Please. I don't mean to insult anyone. Sorry this went on so long. I just wanted to try to explain how I got my numbers and make sure no one thought I was bashing teachers. Most of them are right up there, next to godliness in my book!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

gemmie214, sorry I didn't read all the way back, just got on my high horse and responded to the last page. I didn't mean that our teachers started at 43, it's an average. We have p/t teachers at 24, and the longer at their job teachers at 58. I just averaged them. I do realize teachers take home stuff. And I am not outraged that anyone takes their break. But, I have to take issue that they are planning during their free time. Quite a few are in the library, using the computers to check email/or send it. Others are on the phone in the library. I can only speak to what I actually see. Please, I do realize what teachers do and I certainly don't begrudge most of them any of what they earn!!! My point is...there are always some 'apples' in the barrel that continually want more and more, sometimes at the expense of the kids. Now I'm done before I become a true thread killer and get this one locked down!!!

 

[gina2000]

Administrative costs are a tough problem in my town. We have "neighborhood" schools. That translates into a principal, a nurse and a secretary for each grammar school. It's mandatory. Can't cut a nurse or a principal from a school. And I suspect you need someone to answer the phone. We share a librarian with another school which means the PTO has to staff the library 2 1/2 days per week or it is closed to students. We have a guidance counselor one morning per week. And we have basic skills teachers.....2 of them working full time. If someone sees a way to cut costs in that mix, I'd be interested in hearing it. There has been talk of closing the school libraries but for many kids, this is their only opportunity to borrow books. Also, library skills are study skills.

In the upper levels, vice principals are also on the job - more than one per school. My child isn't in an upper level school so I don't know how necessary the multiple administrative positions are. I'll find out when he gets there.

There's waste in any system. We all know it. The problem is, though, that education is not an income generating division of any township. So people are always looking to cut corners. It's the same in any business organization. Non-income producing sections of a firm are always cut first. It's just a shame, though. We're short changing our future.