Teacher contracts

[minkydog]

I am so aggravated could just scream. We got notice today that the school system has not renewed Christian's teachers' contracts. Now I know a lot of teachers are losing their jobs. I'm sympathetic to them. But his lead teacher has 30 YEARS experience teaching profoundly impaired middle school kids! I mean, seriously, would *you* want to do that? And the reason she's not being renewed? She's part-time...She job shares with another experienced teacher, neither of whom receives benefits. Our school system has decided that it makes more sense to let these two experienced teachers go, so they can scout for a teacher. Someone please explain this to me.

Our school system has lost their ever-loving minds! Somehow they think they're going to "save money". Uh, not if you have to train someone with less preparation and experience. Oh, and pay them full time benefits. That's right, no more part time teachers, only full time. Back in elementary school Christian's teacher worked 6 days and never came back. It took them a whole YEAR to find someone willing to work with this level of special ed. A year in the life of any child is a long time, but to a profoundly mentally handicapped child a year is a lifetime!

Christian's teachers are so so good. They don't let him get away with anything and they work harder than anybody I've ever seen. This child can't talk or even carry his lunch to the table, but they work on math and language every day! ANd he has friends(!) because his teachers have buddied with another class at the school and that class writes letters, reads to them, and makes them little gifties from time to time. I can't believe this is happening.! ARRRRGGGHHH

 

[monkeyboy]

Maybe she took and early buy out

 

[minkydog]

Maybe she took and early buy out

No, I've talked to her. She is very upset. Not only are the two job-sharing teachers losing their jobs, but the parapros are losing theirs as well. I wanna know who they think is going to teach and assist these kids next August? It takes a very special, self-less person to take care of these kids. These are the kids who don't walk or talk. They wear diapers, they have to be fed and cleaned. I frankly don't know ANY adults other than these women who what to spend their days doing this stuff. Why would the school system throw them out knowing how badly their skills are needed?

 

[bekkiz]

An excellent 2nd grade teacher (w/15 years of experiance) I know who job shares (and has for 6 or maybe 7 years) has to go back to full time next year for that exact reason--no more job shares.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Very sad situation. Unfortunately it is not uncommon. The impact of our ever losing economy always hurts those that need the help the most. I guess they figure by losing two part timers that likely make good $ based on their (earned) experience, they can get some "newer" lower salaried teacher to take over at less money. Their goal is $$ not the care and education of our children. As though they can just get any teacher to take over her job Another situation that makes my head spin. I am so sorry that you all are going thru this...because the impact will be felt by you/r family and all the rest of those children/families too.
Can you and the other parents make some noise, call in local media, speak to the PTA, Do a letter campaign, do anything to stir up the Noise on the absurdity of their decision? It will probably not get you far perhaps, but bringing attention to the situation may "spark" some additional "brainstorming" to the powers that be.
Again, sorry to hear this....wishing you the very best of luck!

 

[minkydog]

I have drawn up a letter to the school board detailing my concerns and asking for them to reconsider this particular decision. Unfortunately, I believe you are right. This is alllll about money, not the needs of the kids.

Its not that there aren't any other teachers out there who could do the job but that this particular area is so specialized that very few teachers are qualified AND actually want to do it.

The whole situation just makes me sick. If I could see that this "plan" would benefit my son and his classmates I would not be so upset. But I don't think the High Poo-bahs In Charge have given more than a minute of thought to this. Evidently they must believe that a teacher is a teacher is a teacher, and I KNOW that's not true! I don't know what the answer is. I mean, if the school system doesn't have money, it doesn't have money. I guess I'd feel better about it if I saw board members and administrators taking the same pay cuts that teachers are being TOLD to make.

 

[ugadog99]

What county, minkydog? There has been talk here that we will no longer have part timers, either. It really stinks!

 

[minkydog]

What county, minkydog? There has been talk here that we will no longer have part timers, either. It really stinks!

Cobb County(Marietta). We are losing over 550 teachers next year. It has been a blood bath at some of the schools.

 

[ugadog99]

I've been following all the metro area counties. Fortuntely, my county had the ability to forsee some of this and apparently made some really good decisions a few years ago. We are not in the shape of many of our neighbors. I'm so sorry for your situation. Best of luck to you, your son, and his teacher.

 

[minkydog]

I've been following all the metro area counties. Fortuntely, my county had the ability to forsee some of this and apparently made some really good decisions a few years ago. We are not in the shape of many of our neighbors. I'm so sorry for your situation. Best of luck to you, your son, and his teacher.

*nods* I think our board members all have their heads up their butts.

 

[simba20]

My FIl used to work for Cobb County BOE, so so sorry to hear about Christian's teacher situation. It's sad all around really. Just a number of years ago, my FIl was tryign to get us to move up there...."Cobb needs to hire 500 teachers this year....." Now it's cuts all around.

Here in the county my husband works (near Augusta), they worked out a plan to save them from furlough days next year. Teachers that had 30+ years or were close to retirement, were encouraged to retire. No new teachers will be hired to fill the slots. Class sizes are getting pushed up. They also took $300 out of the county supplement each teacher receives......

 

[freckles and boo]

I am so sorry. I understand your rage and pain all too well. On March 24 I learned that my daughter's teacher was also "let go". She is young but stunningly talented. Her masters work focused on sensory integration and she managed a classroom full of diverse disabilities beautifully. She was in her fourth year of teaching and only months from tenure. I was completely heartbroken and full of anger. The school board and superintendent got an UGLY and passionate earful from many, many parents but it was in vain. Ultimately all I could do was inform them that my child's needs WILL be met or there will be hell to pay. I also wrote Ms. M a letter of recommendation. My daughter is high functioning and working at grade level but her autism and ADHD make a "normal" classroom environment impossible. It does indeed take a very special person to work with our kids. I hope that both our kids' teachers land on their feet and quickly.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Evidently they must believe that a teacher is a teacher is a teacher, and I KNOW that's not true!

You just hit the nail right on the head! That's exactly how the powers that be see it. A teacher is a teacher is a teacher. As long as the every hole is filled with a peg, they don't care if the pegs fit!

I live and work in the same school district and see these situations from two points of view - as an employee and as a parent. The special ed director told me in my son's IEP meeting that every decision is based on what is best for my son. It has nothing to do with money or personnel. A few weeks later in a staff meeting, the same director said that everything we do is about money. He said we don't tell the parents that but it's really the truth. I almost stood up and said, "Hello! Did you forget that I work here and you just finished telling me the opposite?" But I held my tongue because it wouldn't have done any good. Lucikly we're a K-8 district and my son is going to high school next year. I've already been much more impressed with the special ed. department in the high school district.

Something else happened this week that just made my head spin. I work in a special needs preschool class as an aide. My class is for mild/moderate disabilities and we also have a class for severely autistic preschoolers. One aide has been with the class since it was formed 2 years ago. They've already lost 3 other aides and two teachers for various reasons. No one seems to last very long in that class. I've helped out in there before and it's really tough. There's a lot of hitting, hair-pulling and tantrums. But this one aide handles it very well and really wants to be there. She's had lots of ABA training and has designed several program units for the kids. She's been the only constant in that class since it was opened. So she was in tears this week and told me she's being bumped from her position. Another person who has been with the district a little longer just lost her clerical position at the district office. She also put in many years as an aide and had about 4 months senority over the autistic class aide. She chose to bump that aide because her position had the most hours of any other aide position in the district. This person has no experience with preschoolers or autistic kids. She used to work in the resource program tutoring elementary and middle school kids. She called the aide she bumped and said, "Sorry I had to bump you but I need the hours." When asked if she knew anything about the class she's going into she said, "No, but they're little kids. How hard can it be?" Again, the rules were followed and there's a peg in the hole, but the hole is round and the peg is square. No one considers whether or not it will fit!

I'm sorry to hear that Christian is losing his teacher. I hope it works out for him.

 

[amyren]

Cobb County(Marietta). We are losing over 550 teachers next year. It has been a blood bath at some of the schools.

DH is a special ed teacher in Cobb. Fortunately he is safe. The county chose to cut a ton of teachers to make up for the $130 MILLION budget shortfall. They cut part time teachers across the board. It’s ridiculous, especially at the elementary level because so many teachers job share. DH’s high school lost about 13 or 14 teachers (including 2 of his assistant coaches). Of course, the county superintendant approved a fat raise for himself last year and all of the high school stadiums are getting astroturf! Seriously?!?!

 

[golfgal]

How are they going to save money, easy, 30 years of experience in Special Ed costs them twice as much as someone with 0-1 year of experience. The job share situation means they pay work comp an unemployment on 2 people instead of one so they cut the salary in 1/2, cut unemployment and work comp in half and even if they have to put a little toward benefits, they are probably saving $100,000/year or more. Is it right, but what choice do they have with the budget cuts?

 

[Mickey's Minion]

You just hit the nail right on the head! That's exactly how the powers that be see it. A teacher is a teacher is a teacher. As long as the every hole is filled with a peg, they don't care if the pegs fit!

I live and work in the same school district and see these situations from two points of view - as an employee and as a parent. The special ed director told me in my son's IEP meeting that every decision is based on what is best for my son. It has nothing to do with money or personnel. A few weeks later in a staff meeting, the same director said that everything we do is about money. He said we don't tell the parents that but it's really the truth. I almost stood up and said, "Hello! Did you forget that I work here and you just finished telling me the opposite?" But I held my tongue because it wouldn't have done any good. Lucikly we're a K-8 district and my son is going to high school next year. I've already been much more impressed with the special ed. department in the high school district.

Something else happened this week that just made my head spin. I work in a special needs preschool class as an aide. My class is for mild/moderate disabilities and we also have a class for severely autistic preschoolers. One aide has been with the class since it was formed 2 years ago. They've already lost 3 other aides and two teachers for various reasons. No one seems to last very long in that class. I've helped out in there before and it's really tough. There's a lot of hitting, hair-pulling and tantrums. But this one aide handles it very well and really wants to be there. She's had lots of ABA training and has designed several program units for the kids. She's been the only constant in that class since it was opened. So she was in tears this week and told me she's being bumped from her position. Another person who has been with the district a little longer just lost her clerical position at the district office. She also put in many years as an aide and had about 4 months senority over the autistic class aide. She chose to bump that aide because her position had the most hours of any other aide position in the district. This person has no experience with preschoolers or autistic kids. She used to work in the resource program tutoring elementary and middle school kids. She called the aide she bumped and said, "Sorry I had to bump you but I need the hours." When asked if she knew anything about the class she's going into she said, "No, but they're little kids. How hard can it be?" Again, the rules were followed and there's a peg in the hole, but the hole is round and the peg is square. No one considers whether or not it will fit!

I'm sorry to hear that Christian is losing his teacher. I hope it works out for him.

And that is one of the main reasons I believe unions are not only no longer needed, but now the pendulum has swung the other way and they cause more harm than good.

A job should be awarded based on knowledge and experience, not seniority.

I am sorry for both Christian and the kids in the above preschool who is losing an asset to the classroom. It is the children who suffer the most.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

I am so aggravated could just scream. We got notice today that the school system has not renewed Christian's teachers' contracts. Now I know a lot of teachers are losing their jobs. I'm sympathetic to them. But his lead teacher has 30 YEARS experience teaching profoundly impaired middle school kids! I mean, seriously, would *you* want to do that? And the reason she's not being renewed? She's part-time...She job shares with another experienced teacher, neither of whom receives benefits. Our school system has decided that it makes more sense to let these two experienced teachers go, so they can scout for a teacher. Someone please explain this to me.

Our school system has lost their ever-loving minds! Somehow they think they're going to "save money". Uh, not if you have to train someone with less preparation and experience. Oh, and pay them full time benefits. That's right, no more part time teachers, only full time. Back in elementary school Christian's teacher worked 6 days and never came back. It took them a whole YEAR to find someone willing to work with this level of special ed. A year in the life of any child is a long time, but to a profoundly mentally handicapped child a year is a lifetime!

Christian's teachers are so so good. They don't let him get away with anything and they work harder than anybody I've ever seen. This child can't talk or even carry his lunch to the table, but they work on math and language every day! ANd he has friends(!) because his teachers have buddied with another class at the school and that class writes letters, reads to them, and makes them little gifties from time to time. I can't believe this is happening.! ARRRRGGGHHH

In our district - 20 hours a week is the cutoff for starting to earn full benefits. So most part time teachers, aides, office staff, etc earn full benefits.

 

[castleview]

Our school system did away with job sharing a few years ago. Still, it would have been nice if they offered those teachers full time.

 

[minkydog]

How are they going to save money, easy, 30 years of experience in Special Ed costs them twice as much as someone with 0-1 year of experience. The job share situation means they pay work comp an unemployment on 2 people instead of one so they cut the salary in 1/2, cut unemployment and work comp in half and even if they have to put a little toward benefits, they are probably saving $100,000/year or more. Is it right, but what choice do they have with the budget cuts?

Oh, I'm sure you are right. They have to make some very hard choices this year. I'm just venting because this decision will have such a HUGE impact on this little class. Unfortunately, special ed at the severe/profound level often gets the short end of the stick. Ours are the kids who are never going to ace the SAT or bring their team to State. The bottom line is, very few certified teachers are even qualified to work with these kids, and even fewer actually *want* to. I guess the message I'm getting from this decision to cut the best teachers Christian ever had is "we don't really care if your kid makes any advancements, we're only babysitting him until he turns 21 because of that pesky federal law."

DH is a special ed teacher in Cobb. Fortunately he is safe. The county chose to cut a ton of teachers to make up for the $130 MILLION budget shortfall. They cut part time teachers across the board. It’s ridiculous, especially at the elementary level because so many teachers job share. DH’s high school lost about 13 or 14 teachers (including 2 of his assistant coaches). Of course, the county superintendant approved a fat raise for himself last year and all of the high school stadiums are getting astroturf! Seriously?!?!

Oh, don't even get me started on athletics...

You just hit the nail right on the head! That's exactly how the powers that be see it. A teacher is a teacher is a teacher. As long as the every hole is filled with a peg, they don't care if the pegs fit!

What would it look like if hospitals did this(um, well, some hospitals DO do this.) Lets just imagine that all the doctors and nurses get reshuffled because the Powers That Be have to cut the budget. Suddenly, you have neuro speciallists stitching up cuts in the ER and pediatric nurses managing psych patients. The doctors, of course, been trained as general doctors first and specialists second, but they have never really done general medicine so they feel unhappy. Nurses also go through the same nursing programs and take the same nursing exams, and they go on to specialize. Its very hard for them to transfer skills from one type of job to another.

In the same way that doctors are not all alike and nurses are not all alike, teachers are not all alike. I know a lot of teachers who are great at their jobs. Music teachers, English teachers, chemistry teachers, Latin teachers--everyone has their specialty. I'm sure the school system has given this plenty of thought. I know they have. But I think they are being short-sighted when they make the decision to not try to retain key people in key areas.

 

[donac]

I am so sorry to hear about your son's teachers. Good Special Ed teachers are so very rare and to let a good one go it terrible.

It is a very sad time for teachers in this country. I teach in NJ