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Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
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DiamondGirl
You are my I love you
Member since 7/09 18802 total posts
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DiamondMama
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by TheDivineMrsM
Alot of people work hard and spend money to get their masters and dont make as much money as teachers.
this topic is like beating a dead horse...
Point is if teachers keep getting 4% raises every year, than the students are going to keep losing. Period.
It's amazing...every year when the budget comes up there are threats to losing activities, music, gym, busing...yet when contract times comes around, teachers still manage to get their raises.
I'm a HS guidance counselor. I work for NYC, and do not get anything resembling a 4% raise each year. Not even close. (Nor do most teachers on LI districts. DH's SD settled on a 1% raise, and they were thrilled to get even that). Anyone who thinks I make too much is welcome to spend a week in my office to see what we deal with on a daily basis.
I can't deal with the anti-teacher sentiment on these boards. Yes, some teachers/counselors are wastes of space. That's true of any field. But the bulk of us are hard-working public servants that bust our butts to educate the children in YOUR life. Evenings and weekends and summers are spent planning and improving lessons, keeping up to date on the newest amendments to the state curricula, and in my case contacting colleges so my students have maximum exposure to post-secondary institutions. In general, we're not home sipping margaritas.
ITA agree that consolidating districts would save taxpayers money. In most other states, the county acts like our individual districts. The sheer number of administrators per district is staggering, and these are the people that make huge salaries and pensions. Getting rid of a few admins would certainly lower our tax bills.
This will never happpen, because FAMILIES have demonstrated time and time again that they don't want it. It won't affect teacher jobs; the number of children wouldn't change. But parents might not like their child's new classmates. (Can you imagine Bellmore Merrick merging with Roosevelt? People would be screaming like the world was about to end).
I don't know what the answer is. I can't make anyone see that educators aren't money-grubbing vultures. I can only remind people that we, like you, are hard-working LIers worthy of respect.
{{steps off soapbox}}
Thanks for reading.
Right on R 
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Posted 3/13/10 10:12 AM  |
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kellsbells7
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/07 590 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Teaching is a SERVICE based profession. Meaning that without them to do the SERVICE, there wouldn't be school.
I have NEVER only worked 80% of the year. I also - along with many of my colleagues - average 10 hour days.
Arrive at 6:15 to prepare to start at 7AM.
School ends at 2.
Extra help until 3.
Grade papers/organize classroom/plan for the next day until 5.
Frequently attend board meetings/PTA meetings/school events until after 9PM.
That is once or twice a week I stay that late.
The usual week:
Arrive at 6:15
School ends at 2
Stay to clean up/complete paperwork from the offices until 4.
Go home to clean, cook, eat, pay bills, laundry, make appointments until 6.
Chat with DH until 6:30
Open laptop and start preparing lessons for the next day until 8.
Grade papers until 9.
Get clothes ready for next day until 9:30
In bed at 10.
Up at 5 AM the next day.
Just for WORK alone - I put in 12 hours a day.
I would LOVE to have a job where I didn't have to do so much just in PREPARATION for the next day.
I remember speaking to my best friend who makes a TON of money in finance. I asked her what do you do to plan for the next day at work? She replied - nothing really, just figure out what I am going to wear.
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| Posted 3/13/10 11:15 AM |
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justthe4ofus
I hate hypocrites!!!!!
Member since 5/05 6905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by jellybean1420
Of course they wouldnt be willing to take a paycut or a pay freeze...but it really is all about the kids and education 
ETAA: And get rid of the Regent's exams...WASTE of time and money. We are the only state in the country who give them.
Do you forget that we have to live here and pay taxes too. 5 years ago, before the economy tanked, my husband's union agreed to a 5 yr wage freeze on his already tiny salary. So while everything else has icreased drastically his pay hasn't. My increases have been the only thing keeping us afloat. Now I should also take a pay increase. My family is already 5 yrs behind.
It is all about the kids. Please don't roll your eyes at that. I love my students. I have been to in the past week, a wake for 2 parents, their play, a dance recital, and countless sporting events for them, none of which were for money but purely for the love of my students. I take time away from my own children, because for some of my students, we (their teachers) are all they have.
I am sorry that you do not value teachers but I work damn hard to make sure my students know that they always have me to care about them.
As for the regents exam, MANY stated have state tests that must be passed for graduation, a bench mark if you will. We call ours regents. Each state calls them something different. To get rid of a state bench mark will only lower standards of education.
Can fat be trimmed absolutely. Start with administation. The district I work in has 5 superintendents. Really do they need that many-- HELL NO! Getting rid of 2 of them would be the salary of 6-7 teachers! (BTW-- those 5 and their assistants all got 2 raises this year)!!!
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| Posted 3/13/10 11:23 AM |
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justthe4ofus
I hate hypocrites!!!!!
Member since 5/05 6905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by jellybean1420
this topic is like beating a dead horse...
Point is if teachers keep getting 4% raises every year, than the students are going to keep losing. Period.
It's amazing...every year when the budget comes up there are threats to losing activities, music, gym, busing...yet when contract times comes around, teachers still manage to get their raises.
I have NEVER gotten a 4% raise in the 14 years I have been teaching. We have always averages around 2-2 1/2%
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| Posted 3/13/10 11:44 AM |
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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22136 total posts
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by kellsbells7
I would LOVE to have a job where I didn't have to do so much just in PREPARATION for the next day.
I remember speaking to my best friend who makes a TON of money in finance. I asked her what do you do to plan for the next day at work? She replied - nothing really, just figure out what I am going to wear.
This part of the job goes completely unnoticed. I remember my first year teaching, I counted up all the hours spent working, then the extra hours spent at school and THEN the extra hours spent at home and on the weekends preparing. I figured out that with ALL that time, I was averaging $10/hour.  I made more waiting tables!
I don't do nearly as much now since I have been in the same grade for a few years and am in a groove and comfortable with coming up with lessons faster, but I still put in a lot of time outside of school.
Believe it or not, the education field is not the kind of job that ends at 3. People not in it don't realize that.
ANOTHER THING PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE...the teachers I know spend hundreds upon hundreds of hard earned dollars EVERY year to make their classrooms happy and educational. Sure, like any job, we get payraises. BUT trust me, that money goes out quickly. And it's not for LV purses.
I take teacher bashing personally. I LOVE my job. Yes, I complain.  But when my little pee wees DON'T want to go home at the end of the day, I KNOW I have earned my money.
For anyone who freely bashes the profession HERE, who thinks teachers DON'T deserve their money...I dare you to tell your child's teacher how you feel to his or her face.
Can't do it? That's because chances are this...your child loves his or her teacher. Chances are your child has accidentally called her mom on more than one occasion. Chances are...YOU love your child's teacher.
And if not, you either got a crappy teacher (they DO exist but so do crappy mechanics, crappy hair dressers, crappy cooks, crappy cops, crappy governers and dare I say it...crappy parents!) or maybe, just maybe, your KID is not doing his or her part.
Because teachers are only ONE part of the education equation. 
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| Posted 3/13/10 11:47 AM |
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justthe4ofus
I hate hypocrites!!!!!
Member since 5/05 6905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by MissJones
I take teacher bashing personally. I LOVE my job. Yes, I complain. But when my little pee wees DON'T want to go home at the end of the day, I KNOW I have earned my money.
For anyone who freely bashes the profession HERE, who thinks teachers DON'T deserve their money...I dare you to tell your child's teacher how you feel to his or her face.
Can't do it? That's because chances are this...your child loves his or her teacher. Chances are your child has accidentally called her mom on more than one occasion. Chances are...YOU love your child's teacher.
And if not, you either got a crappy teacher (they DO exist but so do crappy mechanics, crappy hair dressers, crappy cooks, crappy cops, crappy governers and dare I say it...crappy parents!) or maybe, just maybe, your KID is not doing his or her part.
Because teachers are only ONE part of the education equation.
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| Posted 3/13/10 12:47 PM |
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mommyago
♥ Lucas and Layla
Member since 8/08 2979 total posts
Name:
Jenise
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by MissJones
Posted by kellsbells7
I would LOVE to have a job where I didn't have to do so much just in PREPARATION for the next day.
I remember speaking to my best friend who makes a TON of money in finance. I asked her what do you do to plan for the next day at work? She replied - nothing really, just figure out what I am going to wear.
This part of the job goes completely unnoticed. I remember my first year teaching, I counted up all the hours spent working, then the extra hours spent at school and THEN the extra hours spent at home and on the weekends preparing. I figured out that with ALL that time, I was averaging $10/hour. I made more waiting tables!
I don't do nearly as much now since I have been in the same grade for a few years and am in a groove and comfortable with coming up with lessons faster, but I still put in a lot of time outside of school.
Believe it or not, the education field is not the kind of job that ends at 3. People not in it don't realize that.
ANOTHER THING PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE...the teachers I know spend hundreds upon hundreds of hard earned dollars EVERY year to make their classrooms happy and educational. Sure, like any job, we get payraises. BUT trust me, that money goes out quickly. And it's not for LV purses.
I take teacher bashing personally. I LOVE my job. Yes, I complain. But when my little pee wees DON'T want to go home at the end of the day, I KNOW I have earned my money.
For anyone who freely bashes the profession HERE, who thinks teachers DON'T deserve their money...I dare you to tell your child's teacher how you feel to his or her face.
Can't do it? That's because chances are this...your child loves his or her teacher. Chances are your child has accidentally called her mom on more than one occasion. Chances are...YOU love your child's teacher.
And if not, you either got a crappy teacher (they DO exist but so do crappy mechanics, crappy hair dressers, crappy cooks, crappy cops, crappy governers and dare I say it...crappy parents!) or maybe, just maybe, your KID is not doing his or her part.
Because teachers are only ONE part of the education equation.
ITA!
I spend a ridiculous amount of money on my classroom every year just so my students have the tools they need to succeed. I teach in the city and the resources there stink. Not to mention the day to day supplies that my students can't afford that I get for them (notebooks, pencils, erasers, rulers, ect.. ) I get to my school at 6:30 (school doesn't start until 8am) work with the kids until 2:30 3 days a week, 3:30 for extra help the other 2 days a week. Then I either stay late until around 5ish to plan/grade/ect.. or I go home and do those things at home all night/weekend..I love working with kids but sometimes I wish I could change my career so that I can have a job that I can just work and come home and not stress about all the things that need to be done and not spend so much money on
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| Posted 3/13/10 1:03 PM |
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kellsbells7
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/07 590 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
[ANOTHER THING PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE...the teachers I know spend hundreds upon hundreds of hard earned dollars EVERY year to make their classrooms happy and educational. Sure, like any job, we get payraises. BUT trust me, that money goes out quickly. And it's not for LV purses.
ITA!
I spend a ridiculous amount of money on my classroom every year just so my students have the tools they need to succeed. I teach in the city and the resources there stink. Not to mention the day to day supplies that my students can't afford that I get for them (notebooks, pencils, erasers, rulers, ect.. ) I get to my school at 6:30 (school doesn't start until 8am) work with the kids until 2:30 3 days a week, 3:30 for extra help the other 2 days a week. Then I either stay late until around 5ish to plan/grade/ect.. or I go home and do those things at home all night/weekend..I love working with kids but sometimes I wish I could change my career so that I can have a job that I can just work and come home and not stress about all the things that need to be done and not spend so much money on
Excellent point. Which gets me thinking - when your kids are doing fundraisers - who do you think they go to first for money? Last month, the football team and basketball teams were both doing fundraising events. How can I tell one kid yes, and one no? And when I looked at that pledge sheet, it was all teachers! Do you know how much cookie dough I have from the band and the soccer teams? I have bought artwork from the kids for the art club.
We love your kids. We care if they are happy. We give them lunch money or a pen if they don't have it.
All we ask is to get increases that reflect cost of living increases. My husband gets that at his job every year, why do teachers need to fight for it?
Edited for spelling
Message edited 3/13/2010 5:16:45 PM.
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| Posted 3/13/10 3:38 PM |
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DaisyGirl
LIF Adult
Member since 2/08 1650 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
I am a teacher and I make a good salary
Yes, I only work 10 months a year
Yes, contractually I work from 8:30-3:30
Yes, I get cost of living increases every year
Yes, I can take extra classes and make a little more $
Why shouldn't I make this money? I really don't understand why it is a problem for people that I make this money.
I am the deciding influence in my classroom each and every day. My actions, words, beliefs, mannerisms and attitude shape the learning and experience of every child in my classroom.
I have the amazing responsibility of teaching children many new things every day.
Everything I do is planned. I make every effort to make my lessons interesting and engaging so that my students learn the most they possibly can.
Each and every day, I remind myself that if I lose patience or don't handle a situation in the best way, that child is going to remember it so much longer than if I had handled it the correct way.
I absolutely love my job but it is not easy.
I think what people so often miss is that it's not about the teachers- it's about the STUDENTS and we are the ones who influence their learning and lives everyday. Sure, you can cut teachers but it's the students who will be hurt the most. Any good teacher will tell you that it's all about the kids.
I definitely agree, times are tough and teachers should not be exempt. If my district asked me to take a pay freeze to save jobs, I would do it. Enrollment is down and we may lose teachers. That is reality. But teachers are not to blame for the money issues in school districts. There is so much more to it than that: administrator salaries, consultants, wasteful spending etc
Message edited 3/13/2010 4:57:06 PM.
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| Posted 3/13/10 4:51 PM |
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legallyblonde
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 850 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by MrsH2009
Posted by Babyaholic
Tough economic times for everyone. Why should teachers be exempt from lay-offs and pay freezes?
They need to cut admin salaries, and consolidate admin jobs, maybe even districts.
I agree. My SD goes to Lindenhurst schools. When we got her most recent report card, a letter from the superintendent was enclosed. The letter had 2 instances of erroneous information and a typo. Honestly, I was outraged. I have no idea what type of salary this guy "earns", but the very least he could have done was proof read the letter. It was insulting to me as a tax payer that he would send out that letter without taking the time to make sure it was correct. I realize it isn't that big of a deal, but it seriously annoyed me. Then it infuriated me even more that his secretary that also "earns" a tax payer paid salary also could not be bothered proof reading the letter. It's disgusting really.
As far as the lay offs go, if what the article says is true, it's pretty selfish of the teachers to refuse a pay freeze. It is to the detriment of the newer, younger teachers which is as unfair as not getting a raise for 2 years. I have not had a raise in 2 years either. It isn't the worst thing. At least I have a job. I say accept it and keep everyone employed.
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| Posted 3/13/10 6:41 PM |
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Palebride
I am an amazing bakist
Member since 5/05 13673 total posts
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Lori
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by legallyblonde
As far as the lay offs go, if what the article says is true, it's pretty selfish of the teachers to refuse a pay freeze. It is to the detriment of the newer, younger teachers which is as unfair as not getting a raise for 2 years. I have not had a raise in 2 years either. It isn't the worst thing. At least I have a job. I say accept it and keep everyone employed.
It's not for the teachers to decide.
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| Posted 3/13/10 7:31 PM |
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CallaLily
Thank you, Saint Gerard!
Member since 10/07 4937 total posts
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by Palebride
Posted by legallyblonde
As far as the lay offs go, if what the article says is true, it's pretty selfish of the teachers to refuse a pay freeze. It is to the detriment of the newer, younger teachers which is as unfair as not getting a raise for 2 years. I have not had a raise in 2 years either. It isn't the worst thing. At least I have a job. I say accept it and keep everyone employed.
It's not for the teachers to decide.
True. The unions don't like to agree to stipulations like this. It sets a precedent that the administration won't hesitate to try to repeat in the future.
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| Posted 3/13/10 8:59 PM |
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Jess2
LIF Toddler
Member since 7/05 471 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Right now districts across LI are being threatened due to state aid being severly cut and this is also happening across the country by the way in case some of you did not realize this. I work in a nonprofit that works with music teachers and I am constantly having to hear about music programs being cut due to teacher layoffs. I think that truthfully it is government to blame for this issue.
Message edited 3/13/2010 10:00:34 PM.
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| Posted 3/13/10 9:48 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
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Lauren
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Honestly, I don't think anyone here said teachers don't deserve a good salary or raises.
I think the happened when someone said that 90K a year was a modest salary.
I am a former teacher, and I can tell you it is a very hard, very demanding job. I certainly deserved the salary I got. But I also got amazing health benefits and a retirement system. Plus I got a lot of time off.
When I left teaching to go into the private sector, I was working the same hours, but more days a year. I did not have a retirement plan and had to pay a lot more into my insurance. I was also making LESS than I did teaching, and would never be able to e xpect the type of raises I would have gotten as a teacher.
So I am kind of able to look at both sides of it. Does a teacher deserve a good salary? YES. Does a teacher deserve a better salary than anyone else with the same education, experience, etc? no. Should the benefits a teacher gets be factored into the salary? YES. I think that it is this part that a lot of teachers (and other public service employees) take for granted. I don't think they realize how much those "extras" are worth. So when people complain about teachers being greedy or whatever, it is because they feel the teachers don't really understand every thing they are getting. Its not all about the pay check.
And I don't think there is anyone here has expressed that teachers shouldn't make a fair salary. But for teachers to make WELL above the average salary of the area without having benefits factored in, and then they complain about raises or that their contract wasn't good enough, or something to that effect, well, thats why people start getting a little pissy.
Message edited 3/13/2010 10:01:09 PM.
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| Posted 3/13/10 9:59 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by SweetTooth
Should the benefits a teacher gets be factored into the salary? YES. I think that it is this part that a lot of teachers (and other public service employees) take for granted. I don't think they realize how much those "extras" are worth. So when people complain about teachers being greedy or whatever, it is because they feel the teachers don't really understand every thing they are getting. Its not all about the pay check.
Maybe some private jobs don't pay benefits, but every job (private sector) that my husband has had, has had great benefits. We actually use his health plan, dental plan, vision plan and his company matches his 401K. I would imagine most of the teachers on LIF are Tier 4 who paid or are still paying into the pension. and now new tier 5 teachers will pay in even more and get less.
My good friend is in HR at a major accounting firm and they stress their great benefits to attract top talent.
I think sometimes people want to knock down others, when we should all be working on building others that don't get these types of benefits up.
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| Posted 3/13/10 10:37 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by Erica
Posted by SweetTooth
Should the benefits a teacher gets be factored into the salary? YES. I think that it is this part that a lot of teachers (and other public service employees) take for granted. I don't think they realize how much those "extras" are worth. So when people complain about teachers being greedy or whatever, it is because they feel the teachers don't really understand every thing they are getting. Its not all about the pay check.
Maybe some private jobs don't pay benefits, but every job (private sector) that my husband has had, has had great benefits. We actually use his health plan, dental plan, vision plan and his company matches his 401K. I would imagine most of the teachers on LIF are Tier 4 who paid or are still paying into the pension. and now new tier 5 teachers will pay in even more and get less.
My good friend is in HR at a major accounting firm and they stress their great benefits to attract top talent.
I think sometimes people want to knock down others, when we should all be working on building others that don't get these types of benefits up.
Of course there are private companies with great health ins. and company matches into the 401K. But I would venture to say the vast majority do not. And I would say that almost 100% of them do not get any kind of pension at all.
I was not saying teachers don't deserve those things; I was just trying to give perspective on why some people complain. I honestly don't think anyone hates teachers.
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| Posted 3/14/10 12:34 AM |
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sfp0701
Liam's Mommy!
Member since 1/07 9764 total posts
Name:
Tricia
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
see in my district (BOCES) tenured doesn't mean you can't be laid off.. just not fired. They layoffs go down the seniority list. I am low on that.. even though I am tenured. I would have a job (just because I am not TOO low on the list) but, it might not be in my school or I may be split up between a few schools ( I am speech not a classroom teacher). We are kind of lucky because we have set classroom sizes (6 or 9 students). They can't really go higher because that is what the IEP's mandate. But, there is always waste in every district. They will find ways to make cuts to staff..
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| Posted 3/14/10 8:47 AM |
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luckyinlove
I love my baby girls!
Member since 12/06 2441 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by Erica
Posted by SweetTooth
Should the benefits a teacher gets be factored into the salary? YES. I think that it is this part that a lot of teachers (and other public service employees) take for granted. I don't think they realize how much those "extras" are worth. So when people complain about teachers being greedy or whatever, it is because they feel the teachers don't really understand every thing they are getting. Its not all about the pay check.
Maybe some private jobs don't pay benefits, but every job (private sector) that my husband has had, has had great benefits. We actually use his health plan, dental plan, vision plan and his company matches his 401K. I would imagine most of the teachers on LIF are Tier 4 who paid or are still paying into the pension. and now new tier 5 teachers will pay in even more and get less.
My good friend is in HR at a major accounting firm and they stress their great benefits to attract top talent.
I think sometimes people want to knock down others, when we should all be working on building others that don't get these types of benefits up.
Actually, besides the pension, the medical benefits my district offers are not really that great. The dental plan is awful -- i had to pay over 700 out of my pocket for a root canal a few years back, and the medical is alright, but not amazing. h, and there is no vision plan. I actually do not even use it bc my DH has way better insurance through his job!
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| Posted 3/14/10 11:20 AM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by SweetTooth
Honestly, I don't think anyone here said teachers don't deserve a good salary or raises.
I think the happened when someone said that 90K a year was a modest salary.
I am a former teacher, and I can tell you it is a very hard, very demanding job. I certainly deserved the salary I got. But I also got amazing health benefits and a retirement system. Plus I got a lot of time off.
When I left teaching to go into the private sector, I was working the same hours, but more days a year. I did not have a retirement plan and had to pay a lot more into my insurance. I was also making LESS than I did teaching, and would never be able to e xpect the type of raises I would have gotten as a teacher.
So I am kind of able to look at both sides of it. Does a teacher deserve a good salary? YES. Does a teacher deserve a better salary than anyone else with the same education, experience, etc? no. Should the benefits a teacher gets be factored into the salary? YES. I think that it is this part that a lot of teachers (and other public service employees) take for granted. I don't think they realize how much those "extras" are worth. So when people complain about teachers being greedy or whatever, it is because they feel the teachers don't really understand every thing they are getting. Its not all about the pay check.
And I don't think there is anyone here has expressed that teachers shouldn't make a fair salary. But for teachers to make WELL above the average salary of the area without having benefits factored in, and then they complain about raises or that their contract wasn't good enough, or something to that effect, well, thats why people start getting a little pissy.
Thank you for sharing this. Everyone thinks if a person comments about a teachers salary right away you are bashing them. That is not what I was trying to do. I was trying to get the point across that on top of the good salary they receive (which they are entitled to) that they also receive excellent benefits and a pension. Something they should not take for granted because most dont receive those.
The raises and salaries I was talking about were specific examples from the Pat-Med school district. I know alot of other school districts dont pay as high. I know Nassau school districts tend to pay less.
the whole system is a mess. When the economy was good, people got too greedy and people gave too much. Now that the economy is bad everyone is in a hole and unfortunately the only way out is to make tough, unfavorable decisions. But eventually the money is going to run out unless people want their taxes to jump a ton every year.
Message edited 3/14/2010 3:41:38 PM.
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| Posted 3/14/10 3:39 PM |
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Candy Girl
Candy girl- you are so sweet!
Member since 11/07 6349 total posts
Name:
erin
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by jellybean1420
Posted by SweetTooth
Honestly, I don't think anyone here said teachers don't deserve a good salary or raises.
I think the happened when someone said that 90K a year was a modest salary.
I am a former teacher, and I can tell you it is a very hard, very demanding job. I certainly deserved the salary I got. But I also got amazing health benefits and a retirement system. Plus I got a lot of time off.
When I left teaching to go into the private sector, I was working the same hours, but more days a year. I did not have a retirement plan and had to pay a lot more into my insurance. I was also making LESS than I did teaching, and would never be able to e xpect the type of raises I would have gotten as a teacher.
So I am kind of able to look at both sides of it. Does a teacher deserve a good salary? YES. Does a teacher deserve a better salary than anyone else with the same education, experience, etc? no. Should the benefits a teacher gets be factored into the salary? YES. I think that it is this part that a lot of teachers (and other public service employees) take for granted. I don't think they realize how much those "extras" are worth. So when people complain about teachers being greedy or whatever, it is because they feel the teachers don't really understand every thing they are getting. Its not all about the pay check.
And I don't think there is anyone here has expressed that teachers shouldn't make a fair salary. But for teachers to make WELL above the average salary of the area without having benefits factored in, and then they complain about raises or that their contract wasn't good enough, or something to that effect, well, thats why people start getting a little pissy.
Thank you for sharing this. Everyone thinks if a person comments about a teachers salary right away you are bashing them. That is not what I was trying to do. I was trying to get the point across that on top of the good salary they receive (which they are entitled to) that they also receive excellent benefits and a pension. Something they should not take for granted because most dont receive those.
The raises and salaries I was talking about were specific examples from the Pat-Med school district. I know alot of other school districts dont pay as high. I know Nassau school districts tend to pay less.
the whole system is a mess. When the economy was good, people got too greedy and people gave too much. Now that the economy is bad everyone is in a hole and unfortunately the only way out is to make tough, unfavorable decisions. But eventually the money is going to run out unless people want their taxes to jump a ton every year.
But this is common knowledge-that's the part I don't really get. I knew that by becoming a teacher I would have summers off, lots of vacation, decent benefits, job security and a pension. It's not WHY I became a teacher, but I knew it going in. And I love my summers off. Love. love, love them. I used to work summer school every year and then one year they couldn't "afford" summer school so I just bummed around and it was awesome. I never worked SS again. I do have to say that I am never completely relaxed about being off. There is always a kind of "countdown" going on--if it's the kids or colleagues or my DH counting the days that I have left in vacation. Even during this sabbatical I dreamed of work almost every single night. That's what being a teacher does to you. It's ingratiated into your subconscious.. ALl of the people you meet and stories you hear. Everything you have to deal with from being "on stage" and getting rated by EVERYONE, having to worry about your public persona, seeing students on the weekends in the mall or getting on the subway in the morning with them. I actually lived a couple of doors down from one of my students a long time ago. On her 18th birthday the night before July 4th, her parents gave her and some of her friends champagne and they got drunk. She then told them where I lived and they proceeded to come to my house, stand outside (it was a five family house, I lived alone, I was single) call my name and then one of them ran inside and started knocking furiously on my neighbor's door. I had to call my supervisor just to cover my own azz. The next morning I had to walk to the girl's house, knock on the door and speak to the parents about boundaries. IMO, there is no amount you can get paid to have to deal with that kind of worry.
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| Posted 3/14/10 4:19 PM |
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Buongiorno
LIF Infant
Member since 6/09 125 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
[QUOTE
The raises and salaries I was talking about were specific examples from the Pat-Med school district. I know alot of other school districts dont pay as high. I know Nassau school districts tend to pay less.
QUOTE]
*Just to say, I am not attacking the above poster, but just want to see where the facts come from*
Do you really know if Nassau school districts pay less? The last that I heard, (again, "heard" I don't have salary charts from Nassau school districts handy) was that many of them were paying almost $6,000 - $10,000 more than many Suffolk school districts.
I would love to comment on this thread about what is going on and about my opinion- even though I am really informed about what is going on, and I read multiple sources of information (not just one source- so I can see all points of view), I still don't feel that I can fairly comment on what is going on. I think a lot of people don't completely understand the situation, which is why people may be attacking others.
Maybe we should do what we were told to do in high school/college. Back our statements with actual facts and reference where they came from...but even then, I bet there will still be some misinformation or made-up facts just so someone can get the point they want across.
Until then, please take what people say with a grain of salt. Many people are making statements and are attacking others when they don't have a complete idea of what is going on....and for those that do have an idea and are expressing their opinions- don't attack others either, but rather explain to them in a clear way your opinion.
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| Posted 3/14/10 4:31 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by Buongiorno
*Just to say, I am not attacking the above poster, but just want to see where the facts come from*
Do you really know if Nassau school districts pay less? The last that I heard, (again, "heard" I don't have salary charts from Nassau school districts handy) was that many of them were paying almost $6,000 - $10,000 more than many Suffolk school districts.
you're right - Nassau generally gets paid more...
this list is from 5 years ago, but it's definitely a useful tool to see where SDs rank.
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| Posted 3/14/10 4:42 PM |
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justthe4ofus
I hate hypocrites!!!!!
Member since 5/05 6905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teachers Islandwide face layoffs in budget crunch - 59 teachers were given notices in Lindenhurst
Posted by jellybean1420
I know Nassau school districts tend to pay less.
the whole system is a mess. When the economy was good, people got too greedy and people gavetoo much. Now that the economy is bad everyone is in a hole and unfortunately the only way out is to make tough, unfavorable decisions. But eventually the money is going to run out unless people want their taxes to jump a ton every year.
Both of these statements are incorrect. Nassau tends to pay more, as a whole.
In the 90s there was a restructuring of the way collected and the bases. At the time businesses were paying a higher base then residential homes. Businesses complained about it so it was restructured so that the residences picked up more of the tab for school taxes then the business. So residential taxes increased dramatically. Also the monies collected from taxes throughout the state and how they were redistributed was also recalculated and Long Island sales taxes does not just support LI schools it also supports upstate more rural districts. Is it fair NO. But since people do not attend school board meetings and listen to what is really going on they do not know. They just see the percentage that their taxes are being increased by.
Could spending be cut, sure in some instances. Could administrators be cut- absolutely! But before statements are made you need to know the facts. If you are unhappy with your taxes, teacher contracts, staffing, or the way your money is spent, then attend school board meetings and speak up or run for the school board and really find out what's going on!!!!!!!!!
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| Posted 3/14/10 5:24 PM |
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