Negotiating salary?

I was offered a job yesterday in a Suffolk county district. I have 12 years of experience in another school district, masters +15. I have a little experience at an agency as well.

I believe this Suffolk district is going to offer me starting salary. I was making WELL over that at my last job (I was excessed). I would never expect to make what I was being paid at my previous job. But I would hope to be paid more than starting salary!

Has anyone negotiated salary with a district? Anyone have any idea how much I could try to negotiate for? (I'm sure every district and situation is different, just looking for some advice).

ETA: not sure if any of this matters... It's a special Ed position, not a teacher. They said they would like me to do the full time leave replacement for about 8 weeks, then they said, "we don't want to lose you," (etc) and offered me the part time position which is permanent (and is the position I was hoping to get!) , starting after the leave replacement. I wouldn't really care what they paid for the leave...but I would want to negotiate for the part time position, since its permanent.

. I have an offer for a part time job at an agency... The agency pay is double the districts starting salary! If the district could offer me the salary the agency is offering, I would take the district in a heartbeat!!! I just think districts are easier to work for than agencies, in general.

SO, since it seems like they really want me (but maybe they say that to everyone).... Might I have some more room to negotiate? Lol

Message edited 8/23/2013 10:21:25 AM.

Re: Negotiating salary?

Don't have specific advice, but remember:

1. It's a school district's market. I know of several excessed teachers being placed on Step 1 or only up to Step 5 with 10-15 years experience.

2. A part-time position is, by definition, not permanent. Under the educational law, it is subject to annual re-appointment. Of course, if they like you then it's not a problem. However, you would not be working toward tenure. I know of somebody who was .95 her first-year so it didn't count at all toward her 3 years of tenure. Maybe other districts don't operate this way, but this Nassau district did.

3. I was placed on Step 1 when I thought I should have been placed on Step 2 because I have a year and a half of leave replacement experience. I politely told the director of HR I felt I should be on Step 2 but they said no because it was per-diem and I said fine because it's a school district market.

4.You need to think about your long-term goals. If you need to make more $$ then work through the agency. You were excessed after many years so it won't look like a resume gap when you go on other interviews. If your goal is to get another probationary appointment in this or another district, then maybe go with this district even if the $$ isn't what you're expecting. I don't know your personal situation in terms of if you have insurance through another source, etc.

Re: Negotiating salary?

Thanks so much for your response. I totally get all your points.

So frustrating to go from ...to be specific.... From making 90,000 to the equivalent of 52,000. Being excessed stinks.

Negotiating salary?

It is probably written in their contract. I was step 7 at my old school and then got bumped down to step 3 (per contract: every 3 years = 1 year). The pay cut definitely sucked, but the alternative (no job) was worse.