Do you give to your school principal

[Cindy B]

Please know that not all principals are paid as highly as many of you believe--or maybe you know(I know in some urban areas the pay level is much higher), but I don't know of any in our area that make even close to $100,000. I don't think our superintendant makes that much. My husband is a principal and puts in a lot more hours than many others in our district who make a lot more than him(coaches).

I

The principals salary is public knowledge. This is shown on all board meeting minutes.

My daughters principal makes 158,000. The superintendent makes 210,000

 

[disynut]

The principals salary is public knowledge. This is shown on all board meeting minutes.

My daughters principal makes 158,000. The superintendent makes 210,000

Yes, that's what I meant---I knew some places made it public, but didn't know if all of them did. Sometimes I feel like I put in too much information in my posts, it is so hard to know what to put in and what to leave out.

I think we might need to move! LOL!

 

[Kaler131]

I also agree that it is a wonderful idea to give a gift to the custodians. They have to clean up a lot of messes (at least I know they do at my kids schools)!

 

[spaceacewannabe]

The principals salary is public knowledge. This is shown on all board meeting minutes.

My daughters principal makes 158,000. The superintendent makes 210,000

I think disynut's point was just that it would be unfair to assume that principals EVERYWHERE make that much. It varies greatly by part of the country, district, grade level, professional experience, education, and other administrative duties at the district level that they may be taking on. I think she was just trying to clarify that. In my district, our principals make ~$100,000, a bit more than twice what most teachers make...but I wouldn't want their jobs for $200,000 a year. With my best principals (I travel and work at a few schools), the old line that "c**p rolls down hill" (or whatever it is...I think it's the naughtier word) is completely inaccurate. They buffer us from all the garbage politics and do everything they can to make sure we can really focus on teaching.

 

[Cindy B]

I agree a principal's salary would vary by location, experience, size of district, experience, degree, etc. Some would add minority/sex in that "price tag" as well.

Case in point, this principal is a 30 year old principal with a new P.h.d, barely any experience, in the largest elementary school, who is also a minority and female. This principal started at age 26 with the bare minimum three years of teaching experience and one half year experience with an asst. principal position at a middle school.She isn't good. She really doeesn't connect well with parents and or children. She's got a huge chip on her shoulder. Many good teachers have left either the profession or this building since she was appointed.

Incidentally, I saw this principal getting ready for the superintendent PRAXIS exam when I was getting ready for my PRAXIS. All the "students" were in one big lecture room before the test began. I said hello and she just ignored me. Typical.



I know there are good principals that are "worthy" of gifts, that stand up for thier teachers and are decent human beings. I've worked for a few. These principals are there early/late every day, attend afterschool functions, chaperone dances, ride busses if need be so they could document behavior, learn every student's name. If the principal supports the teachers in amazing ways, that is somethign to consider. If the principal just shows up for "resume experience", it isn't worth it.

 

[Teacher510]

Please know that not all principals are paid as highly as many of you believe--or maybe you know(I know in some urban areas the pay level is much higher), but I don't know of any in our area that make even close to $100,000. I don't think our superintendant makes that much. My husband is a principal and puts in a lot more hours than many others in our district who make a lot more than him(coaches).

In my case(a middle school) I'm glad to give the $5 for each one because I'd probably spend more on something if I bought something myself for them and they would appreciate the cash more anyway. With DH being a principal--I know they aren't exactly rolling in the dough and appreciate the sentiment.


I don't feel the need to supplement my principal's salary because "they really don't make that much." I don't know of any district where a principal makes less than a teacher. Coaches have extracurricular positions which increase their overall salaries.
The bottom line is that any boss depends upon the performance of his/her staff to make his/her own job performance acceptable to his/her superiors. Therefore, I feel that a gift to members of a cooperative staff would show appreciation. As I stated in my original post, unless a principal has been exceptionally kind or considerate, I don't understand the rationale behind a gift except "kissing up."
As for the higher salaries in urban areas it would be in line with the higher cost of living in these areas. I live just outside Manhattan where a very modest house in a middle class town for $500,000 is a bargain. Rent for an equally modest 1 bedroom apartment is around $1500. $100,000 doesn't mean the same standard of living here as it does in most of the country.
Lest anyone think that I am just "anti-boss," I shopped last night for a sterling bracelet for the office manager at my DD23's part time job.She has always been appreciative,compassionate and generous to DD who is also a full time grad student and teacher assistant. I made sure that she had a gift to thank her for all of her kindness.

 

[BrerMama]

We have a social committee and pay social dues (I think about $20/year). From that money, they buy gifts for the custodians/secretaries/principal. They also buy flowers for any staff member who loses a family member, etc. I don't give her a personal gift, although I like her a lot. She did give us each a pen that I'm pretty sure she got with her own money. Not much, but a nice gesture.