Teacher protests that began in Bel Air are spreading throughout Harford County, with groups of teachers at 17 county schools working no more than their contracted hours in a show of frustration over salaries that haven’t increased in the past three years. Teachers who “work to the contract” or “work to rule”, do not volunteer at lunchtime or beyond the school day to tutor students or run extra-curricular clubs and activities.
Randy Cerveny, president of the Harford County Education Association, the union representing county teachers and the driving force behind the action, said Monday that teachers at more of the county’s 54 public schools are being added to the list of participants every day. Teachers at some of the schools are taking the action for only a day or two, Cerveny said, while many are continuing the protests through the end of the school year.
The 2011-12 school year will end later this month, but teachers have also called for the action to continue in the next school year.
Salary increases for all school employees that were requested for 2012-13 by the Harford County Board of Education have not been funded in the fiscal year 2013 budgets recently approved by state and county governments. Board action is expected later this month to reconcile the schools’ budget with the funding levels provided.
Among the most recent groups to join the demonstrations, teachers at Aberdeen High School walked into the building together at 6:55 a.m. Tuesday, the beginning of their contract day.
Aberdeen teacher Jason Guarino said he moved into teaching from the private sector but as a fourth year teacher with a master’s degree, he is still being paid at the level of a first year teacher and may have to reconsider his career plans in order to support his family. Guarino, who is also a graduate of Aberdeen High, estimated that a quarter to a third of the staff, or 35 – 45 teachers, participated in the action Tuesday.
Photos courtesy of Jason Guarino
Regarding the demonstrations at other Harford County schools, Cerveny did not respond to questions about the number of participants at each school, but provided the following list on Monday of the schools where teachers had thus far worked to the contract:
• Bakerfield Elementary School
• Bel Air High School
• Bel Air Middle School
• Edgewood Middle School
• Emmorton Elementary School
• Fallston High School
• Fallston Middle School
• Havre de Grace High School
• Hickory Elementary School
• Joppatowne High School
• North Harford High School
• North Harford Middle School
• Patterson Mill High School
• Patterson Mill Middle School
• Ring Factory Elementary School
• Youths Benefit Elementary School
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story included a photo that has been removed following a request made by Harford County Public Schools. While not legally required, the request for removal was granted as a courtesy. The student in the photo was not relevant to the subject of the story.
Is that woman in the top picture a teacher or a hooker??? Inappropriate attire for a so called professional.
Wasn’t that someone’s daughter or mother?
She is actually a student. I am offended that you would make such an assumption about the staff at Aberdeen. We are actually very professional and are proud of where we teach.
It is inappropriate attire for either a teacher or a student. It is a sad reflection of the culture in today’s schools. I saw this kind of dress in the middle school. There is a dress code, but it is not enforced in any of the schools where I taught (elementary, middle and high schools).
I 100% agreed that it is questionable and we do enforce it as much as possible, but we can not catch everyone all the time. But as a former teacher, you understand that we do have other things that we need to take care of and dress code does not also beat those out as a priority. Was this student spoken to about her attire? More than likely and she was probably asked to change. I do know who this student is and she is a very nice student who tries really hard to succeed in class.
She is a student, and hose are shorts, get over it, she looks fine. You are a creep to suggest she looks like a hooker.
I think everyone’s losing focus on what this article is about.I think it’s inappropriate for anyone to comment on this students attire, mainly because she is a student meaning she’s a child. Anyone who has made a negative comment about this student’s clothing is guilty of cyber bulling,so please keep your negative comments to yourself.
Let me see… I think a great man once said that he dreamed for a day that people would judge others not on the basis of appearance but on the content of their character. I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.
Real classy comment. Yes, I am being sarcastic. I can’t believe you would say something that offensive and on top of it be – WRONG. Now, the comment seems even more offensive and almost creepy. You might want to consider an apology.
Worry about what people are wearing again. LOL. Such uneducated parents…now I see where the kids get it.
And is this really news? “Teachers refuse to work longer than their contract”. HAHA. YOU AREN’T PAYING US TO DO TO! Why don’t we see a news article about other professions refusing to work for free. This would not be an issue if teachers were getting the steps that were in place when they signed their contracts. I know many teachers that will leave at the last minute and are going to stop coaching and running any kind of club or extra curricular organization. HEY CRAIG AND SCHOOL BOARD. WAKE THE F UP! (I apologize for the language)……
“Why don’t we see a news article about other professions refusing to work for free.”
–Maybe because most workers work “for free” all the time and it’s not really newsworthy? I do not know anyone that works an 8-hour day, down to the minute. A “regular” work week for most folks exceeds the 40 hours upon which their salary was based (from my experience).
Having said that, if the teachers haven’t even received a COLA adjustment for the past three years the I’d say they should be pissed. However, maybe they also need to consider the relative effectiveness of their union leadership in negotiating on their behalf. Unions (in most cases) are simply antiquated entities that are in the business of simple self-preservation on the backs of their members. The teachers should inquire about whether or not the salaries of their union leaders has been frozen for the past three years as well.
Pizzle, I’d first like to thank you for the civilized tone of your question. However, I’d also like to point out it is an unfair comparison. I’ll tell you who works 8 hour days down to the minute – workers subject to collective bargaining, as teachers are. A truly salaried person does not, correct, but teachers are not truly salaried either.
I worked in the business world and fully understand the salaried arrangements. In my previous life putting in 60+ hour weeks was common. However, it was also common that on an annual basis I could renegotiate with my employer the merits of my value to the company. In return I could receive increases in compensation commensurate with my performance, skills, and dedication. If the company did not respect and honor my talents brought to them, I could easily take my talents elsewhere. Transporting those skills in the education world is not as easy.
Being subject to collective bargaining teachers do not advocate personally for their own benefit, and in reality they cannot. There is a myriad of factors that determine whether a teacher can or will be successful in any given classroom. The ability to deliver content, manage the kids, and provide everything else is a very subjective matter. The subjectivity of that matter is what renders individual contracting suspect and impossible.
For example, in the school I teach the kids are pretty good on the whole. We have every problem every other school has, but just smaller or larger doses depending on the issue. Thus, managing my classroom is easy – for me. Others in my building struggle with classroom management. Those same people may excel in areas I may struggle. In other words, if you are average you will survive – just like every other job out there. If you can’t keep your head above water, management works with you; if you get better you keep your job, if not you don’t. If diversity like that exists within one building – now apply it to the district! Thus, how do you fairly and equitably provide for everyone?
Let’s not be naive. There are good and bad teachers. Well, here is a news flash – that exists in every occupation. Some bad ones stick around, but honestly I see most of them go away. I feel confident saying that an overwhelming MAJORITY of my co-workers in this building are highly dedicated and capable.
Set against this back-drop we have our current situation. David Craig has his eyes on the governor’s mansion – let’s not kid ourselves. He wants to market himself as fiscal conservative in a state that has problems in that realm. Therefore, he had to find a way to build his resume without negatively impacting the people who elected him. Public servants become an easy sacrifice in that recipe. So that is what he is doing.
In the past teachers freely gave their time and rarely complained. My first couple years I wouln’t leave the building until 9 or 10 at night working and re-working lesson plans until they were just right, etc… of course in those first few years that hard work paid off – my appraisals improved and I received my step increases.
Nowadays… young teachers are coming in and doing the same thing. Their association negotiated an increase to recognize those efforts. Then you get what you have going on lately. Contract not funded for ridiculous excuses… politicians with their eyes on bigger prizes… and on and on it goes. What motivates them to improve more? How does this look for a graduate coming out of college?
We’re not allowed to strike. So we can do the next best thing – work to rule. Please don’t attempt to deflect the issue by suggesting it is association leadership. That is, as it were, an internal matter. The external matter is that you have political leadership exercising myopic mentality with regard to educating your future employees and leaders in a hope to gain a higher elected office.
Thank you for the well thought out response. I can understand the points you’ve raised. However, I disagree with you on the “deflection” of the issue towards the union leadership. Teachers should be treated as the white-collar, educated and skilled employees that they are. I may be naive, but I don’t see how unions benefit the teacher at all. Your comment:
“Transporting those skills in the education world is not as easy” made me wonder why that is? So, why do you think that is the case? I think it’s partially due to the unions themselves.
Don’t get me wrong….being a teacher is a thankless profession for which they receive little praise and a lot of grief. Mostly, due to inadequate parenting at home of the kids they’re responsible for teaching.
I agree that this is all pretty much a political pissing contest between the controlling entities, and if Harford County is in breach of contract then they should be held accountable.
Ugh, I have to quote you quoting me…
““Transporting those skills in the education world is not as easy” made me wonder why that is? So, why do you think that is the case? I think it’s partially due to the unions themselves.””
Actually it is not the association’s fault. The school year runs from August to June. Switching in the middle of a school year is extremely rare. The only times I know of that teachers arrive in the middle of the year is a mid-year retirement, dismissal, or some such out-of-the-ordinary occurrance.
Pizzle,
I am not a member of the association but I support them and will be joining next year. The reason I support them is that they are the only group that currently supports teachers. Mr Craig pretends to remember that he was a teacher and supports us, but he clearly does not. The county council gives us lip service by telling us that they appreciate us and support us, but it is what it is, LIP SERVICE. The Board of Ed and Dr. Tombak also cleary hate us. Without the HCEA, Harford County teachers would have nothing. They would strip all of our “great benefits” which they are slowly doing anyway, and we would continue to take home less pay. Remember unions gave us things that even people in private sector benefit from as well, like WEEKENDS, VACATION TIME, SICK LEAVE, and SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS. I’d like to see all of the anti-union people forfiet what they have given us throughout history. Just watch what happens in Wisconsin over the next several months. I feel for public employees there. I am sure that stripping them of their bargaining rights and CUTTING spending in the public sector is the answer to our economic woes. Destroying the middle class will not help the economy, it will sink it. My fear is that there are many people that think like those who supported Scott Walker in our country where a campaign can be bought by the highest bidder. If this happens in November, conservatives will rule our country, making giants cuts that will destroy the middle class and send us into the next Great Depression.
@HADENOUGH,
I do not dispute that unions were necessary and appropriate at one time (and may still be necessary and appropriate today for some occupations). However, I question the appropriateness and effectiveness of the teacher’s union in this day and age. The laws of supply and demand could just as well maintain a fair workplace for teachers. If a teacher didn’t like the pay/benefits/workplace at their existing place of employment, they could leave it for another school that may offer different pay/benefits/workplace. Now granted, they would likely need to sign a contract stating they would maintain their employment for the duration of the school year, or pay a penalty for leaving mid-year…..similar to employers that offer tuition reimbursement for their employees….if the employee terminates employment and they’ve recently had their employer pay their tuition for school, they would likely need to reimburse the employer for expenses incurred.
The ramifications of a teacher leaving mid-year for another job is likely much greater than that of an employee leaving a private sector job, but this makes me believe that the school itself would want to always do its best to retain its talent, for fear of dealing with parents that would result from having a teacher leave mid-year.
I acknowledge that this view of things is likely too idealistic, but something different needs to be done in order to move past all of this political nonsense. The pitting of one big bureaucracy against another leads to nothing but kindergarten behavior. At some point a grown-up needs to enter the room.
Pizzle, it seems you desire schools and faculty to operate on a model that exists for the private sector. Simply put – you are correct that may be idealistic, and it is also impractical.
You said something, though, I found extraordinarily interesting, I quote: “…, but this makes me believe that the school itself would want to always do its best to retain its talent, for fear of dealing with parents that would result from having a teacher leave mid-year.”
I extend your observation to include the same parental concern that the school system they reside in will only be attracting the lower ranking graduates as long as they continue this destructive path. I encourage you to contact David Craig and the County Council to do their best to retain and attract the best talent, right now they are not doing it.
The public employees were not stripped of their bargaining rights when it comes to wages. They however were stripped of the ability to do an end run around potentially unpopular wage hikes by providing massive benefit subsidies instead. They were also given the opportunity to opt out of mandatory union membership; which well over half have already done. Every time this mantra is repeated it should be pointed out for the lie it is…nobody has reduced wages in Wisconsin, nor outlawed future negotiations – I assume you want to have us believe asking public employees to contribute to thier own health and retire plans is something akin to hanging someone at the stake.
@ANOTHERHCPSTEACHER,
Ok….last response where a quote is used!….
“…the same parental concern that the school system they reside in will only be attracting the lower ranking graduates as long as they continue this destructive path”
I agree! Furthermore, I see the fallacy in my utopian view of a “free-market” school system. My guess is that BOTH the union and the county are responsible for this mess. I still think my question regarding whether or not the union leadership has suffered the same “salary freeze” (COLA’s as well as the equivalent of whatever “steps” would be in their world) as their members is very appropriate. If the answer is “yes”, then I would say they are indeed “suffering” right along with the members they’re supposed to be serving. If the answer is “no”, then I would say they’re simply an antiquated entity that is only interested in self-preservation. A “yes” answer doesn’t make them any more necessary…it simply means they have real skin in the game and aren’t paying their members lip service, in my opinion.
I agree with this person there are fire fighters and cops being laid off and everything just like teachers. I know all kinds of people whose families are in shelters because their parents were laid off just like my mom. I’m a student at Edgewood High School and am proud of my teachers! They do everything they can to help us make it through high school and life and all these crudy parents bullying them for standing up for themselves is straight up BS. I love my teachers and would stand up for each and everyone of them in a heart beat because I know they would do the same for me! These teachers have done absolutly NOTHING wrong but stand up for themselves and ask for what they were promised if that’s wrong then what is the point in telling kids “You can’t let anyone bully you or put you down you have to stand up for yourself” or “stand up for what is right even if you’re standing alone” ? What’s the point in telling us these things if you’re just going to be a Hypocrite and go against what you’re teaching us?!
Roger,
Nice, intelligent commen?? Probably written from your trailer while you drink beer in a tank-top and a pair of cut off jeans.
I guess roger knows a thing or two about hookers huh ???
Roger, did you (or anyone else for that matter)happen to notice anything else in the photos? For instance, check out what the teachers are carrying. Those bags don’t carry just snacks or lunches. Those are the papers they take home to grade because there isn’t enough time to do so during the duty day. The live out the motto “Students count on us” and work hard to ensure student success regardless of public opinion.
that’s a student,stupid.
You make the assumption that she is a teacher. Students also enter the building. This is a high school not an elementary school.
It could very well be a student. Magnolia MS had about 35 teachers participate today and on entry to the building there were about 25 kids waiting in the lobby for tutoring or various other services they couldn’t get because the teacher was not there yet.
either teacher or student the attire is inappropriate for school
It is but as teacher’s we can’t tell the parents that their kid is dressed like a slut or you did a shitty job of raising them. We have to accept it and react by saying “here put these gym shorts on over your clothes.”
I do hope you’ll be apologizing to the student if her friends show her this post.
Apologize for what. It is an accurate simily. Again just smile and hand her the gym shorts!
In a thread discussing the professionalism of the teachers describes a person (that was identifiable enough for him to state that she was a student and NOT a teacher) crudely and insults her parents …It was uncalled for, he could have simply stated that she was a student.
A lot of the snide, sarcastic, dismissive responses on the part of the teachers are in response to legitimate comments or questions from parents, who, the teachers claim to want the support of. If, every time a parent asks a question we, or our children are attacked, then regardless of how much we value your services, you can forget us coming to bat for you.
I wonder what kinds of jokes the students who figure out who she is will come up with, or are teenagers today too nice and mature for that? I’ve seen some of the teachers mocking the parent comments about how they see where the kids get it, but maybe some of the teachers should consider their own behavioral examples…they do spend a considerable amount of time with our kids as well.
My kids are not perfect, but I am involved, I do work with them, but everytime I try to follow these stories, and read the teachers cussing, being beligerant bashing students, staff, admin and then blaming parents for everything wrong in their lives, it makes me wonder what class is like for my kids.
That is why he should apologize, and why every teacher who posts on here should take a deep breath and think about what it is they are trying to accomplish before they submit. Because you don’t know who is reading it and forming new oppinions about you and your professionalism with each post.
I respect teachers and what they do, but they are human just like parents and students. We don’t owe you anything you don’t owe us or our children.
Yes but to his point, and in fact professionalism, he suggests that dispite his very understandable and logical human thoughts on the kids dress. When dealing with the situation he simply asks the kid to change. You are paying him for his professionalism at work. At work you get a professional response. It is very possible this girl pulled the outfit switch. leaves in one outfit and changes into another. I will say that while I would not let my daughter wear this my wife says she has seen far worse at school.
Hope her father has your idea of professional behavior, because if a teacher called my daughter a slut on a public website, there would definately be a discussion about his professionalism.
That’s a false accusation, Shannon. He never called anyone anything or said anything about any parent- he said you can’t say such things.
I was not sure she was a student. I simply discerned this from the photos and putting them together. I have not meet this person. As cdev correctly pointed out….I said she is dressed LIKE one. I am not infering anything about her character. Additionally if my own daughter left the house like this and I was appraised of it she would find herself with a limited wardrobe of 5 large t-shirts and 5 pairs of sweat pants until I felt she was responsible enough to choose her clothes again. I would also have no problem telling her [my daughter] to stop dressing like a garden tool!
@shame! I didn’t make an accusation-I pointed out that he said something inappropriate which weakend his point about the professionalism of the teachers…here is a news flash for the three of you, my father is law and his wife retired from teaching, my grandmother and two aunts were were cafeteria workers, I have the utmost respect for school employees, however, that doesn’t gives school employees or their spouses (CDEV) the right to attack the students or their parents because they disagree with their statements. I did not mean for my original statement to be an attack, but when I was a teenager my friends would have teased I would have laughed, but I would have been mortified. His comment, while it might have been appropriate in the teachers lounge, was inappropriate, and cruel to post on a public website. He can admit that or not, it doesn’t change the truth of it. Professional judgement of a teacher doesn’t change because the public gained it from the newspaper instead of the classroom, you should all remember that, I wasn’t pointing that out to be mean…a few of you have gotten really carried away and it is hurting your cause (for all of you)
If you are a teacher you should know better than to make such comments about a child or anyone, but especially a student. It is inappropriate and basically cyber bully, this child or her parents may read this. Everyone needs to think before they post. 🙁
well then maybe parents should step up to the plate and start teaching their children appropriate public attire instead of allowing them to walk out of the house looking like whores, hookers and wanna be gangsters! boys coming in with their pants around their ankles, girls walking with everything showing. I mean come on I’m a 17 year old high school student and even I have enough resect for others and dignity to not look like this. If you want to be in the male services then go to jail boys and girls if you want to be a whore or hooker get out of school and do it, but realize you are the only you’re hurting. People judge you for this and if you don’t like it then do something about it! Parents you need to step up to the plate and take care of your children it’s no one elses fault that you had sex and had these kids it’s your own fault so grow up and take care of your responsibilities, it’s sad that a teenager has to say this to an adult it should be the other way around.
Since you are a child I won’t be harsh, you’re still young so you don’t know anything about life.I will say this though you need to learn not to judge someone by how they look, it only makes you look bad. I’m going to assume you do not know this young lady. She could be a very promising student, a great daughter, very bright, sensitive and caring.Now lets assume she reads this comment. How do you think she will feel? Better yet how would you feel if someone made such horrible assumptions about you, when they don’t even know you.
Age has nothing to do with it number 1. number 2 I don’t judge anyone by anything but they’re character and I agree yeah she may have a promising future and everything you said but the main point here isn’t what students are wearing it’s how OUR teachers, YOUR childrens teachers are getting what they were promised. it’s about how they are being disrespected and trashed for not doing anything wrong EXCEPT asking for what they were promised. What if you were a teacher and you signed a contract stating you would get a something every year and you never got it? you would be pretty pissed parden the language. I love my teachers and I think they deserve better and because they aren’t getting what they were promised and rightfully deserve all the students are sufforing! our favorite teachers and the best teachers are leaving and ‘the people’ are leaving us students with newbies who don’t know what they’re doing. We are losing our PROPER education because harford county wants to be selfish. THAT’S NOT FAIR TO US!!!!
Notice the two pictures contain the same people on both sides of the lane. She is the only one not in both as best I can tell.
Once again taking pot shots and concerned about dress versus the concern over what is happening in YOUR schools today. Teachers so frustrated they are protesting. Programs lost, extras gone, morale at an all time low, and you are going to shift the focus to something irrelevant and petty??!! Does it concern you how the best new teaching recruits perceive HCPS or just how a student is dressed? It should also be noted that this is not about wanting salary increases- this is about wanting a CONTRACT FULFILLED- A PROMISE KEPT!
Why are the teachers on such tight schedules at only certain schools? This is not going to end well…..meaning the students will be on the losing end. I sure hope the teachers with the disgruntled demeanors aren’t bringing anything but a smile and excellent skills into the classroom during the hours they are on duty and getting paid. Maybe one and all should just get down to the nitty gritty and go on strike. That’s where this is all leading anyway. Then the educatees can really suffer the wrath of those that profess their love and concern.
Contact the BOE and ask them to resolve this situation. The burden always rest on the backs of teachers and their families. The staff at the BOE does nothing for your children, but once again the public bashes the disgruntled (rightfully so) teacher while the jacka$$ at the board sits in his office and does nothing. I guess some of you will really hate us in the fall when your children who are ready to apply for colleges can’t get letters of reccommendations, see if Dr. Tomback will write it. Everyone has a breaking point and it took three years for us to reach ours, but I am glad we finally did.
Striking is against the law for teachers. Either way going to be difficult for lots of things in the fall if the rest of the taxpayers cant get HCG and HCPS to come up with a plan. Or you can role the dice with the Labor Board with which HCPS is in contempt with.
It’s sad that it has to come to this. Our teachers shouldn’t have to beg for crumbs.
Governor Scott Walker wins!
Obamacare goes away this month!
President Romney wins in November!
Yep, December 21st 2012 approaches…
Better stock up on spam.
What does any of that have to do with the fact that David Craig and his County Council are sitting on nearly $100 million while crying poverty for not fulfilling an obligation their agents (BOE) agreed to in a legal contract?
The next Great Depression in March!!!!!!
Patrick – I would say something unkind and nasty, but you are such a target rich environment that I wouldn’t know where to begin. Do us all a favor and move to Wisconsin. As a supporter of small but effective government, I would suggest we need a change in leadership at the county, state and federal levels as soon as possible. This is turning in to a circus. I agree with Pizzle. The bottom line is that the teachers’ contract should be honored.
It can’t be honored with the current tax revenue structure and everybody knows it. Money really doesn’t grow on trees.
That simply is not true. There was more than enough money allocated to paygo projects to cover all the steps for all the county employees, including teachers. It is about priorities.
Burbey; you are on big F..ing cry baby who absolutely no concept of the way the real world functions. There are any number of us who had a huge respect for teachers, until we started reading you and your cohorts whining and sniveling crap here. I have reached a point of resenting any of my tax money going to support you and yours. Pack up, move away.
No.
Please do not judge teachers based on comments by Burbey. And for those of you who commented on dress code, you should see this guy.
Really? Where did the $90 million surplus the county is currently sitting on come from? Are we ssving that for King David’s run at Annapolis?
Patrick:
How can you defend the crazy right while they would burn you and your rainbow flag for being who you are?
Ridiculous
Seriously Dagger?
One picture was not enough, you had to add the second with the provacative dress that is completely unrelated to the story.
I’m sure these were the only two pictures you had available.
Cindy Mumby is a media w h o r e.
Dress Like–Jealous because Cindy M is intelligent, articulate, beautiful AND a good reporter?
What in the world does what the reporter look like have to do with any of this? Sounds like you are a jealous, disgruntled employee who wouldn’t have the nerve to speak out publicly but instead hide on a forum like this and attack the person doing the reporting. Most people are cowards and you sound just like one. You probably are an administrator for HCPS. They hate that their employees can now find out information from sources like this.
Note to teachers out there. Most of the parents are with you and do respect you but you all need to find a way to weed out the really bad ones who keep getting passed around and the administrators who bring them in. The good teachers, students, and parents are the ones suffering not the top 3 people at Hickory Avenue who are driving out of this county every day collectively taking home over half a MILLION dollars.
Befuddled- what we are doing in working to rule IS in an effort to change things so the GOOD teachers will want to come to fill our classrooms too- that helps us all, you see.
I do see. I see that the people who are being hurt in all of this are the ones in the trenches – teachers, students and their parents. I don’t blame anyone for standing their ground if that is what it takes. I have the utmost respect for good teachers and I can say that I had a few who had a very profound effect on me and even told one of the them that recently. The PTA was founded for the benefit of encouraging parents and teachers to work together. The big problem now is there might as well be moat erected around HCPS Central Office since the superintendent and his 2nd in command have rendered themselves unable to talk to the common people. When was the last time you actually saw or read a statement directly from the Superintendent and not filtered through a PR person?
Befuddled- I agree. We share the same frustrations, and we need parents like you to stand up to the board at the next meeting on June 11 so that THEY can make this right and all of this can END!
The economy is tough on lots of us. Until somebody finds the “next” thing that gets this economy booming again, we all better get used to the bumps.
By “next” thing to move the economy you are referring to the next bubble?
Also if you are a Fed than your not among the “us” the economy is hurting.
Honestly parents, reguardless of how you feel about the girl/woman’s outfit, the topic of the article is that the teachers’ are working to contract, which may be affecting your children’s day. Her outfit, while it may not suit your style, is her choice, and is certainly not the worst thing that has been seen by a lot of the kids in any of the county schools and IS appropriate for the summer.
Teachers if she is a student, ditto, stop attacking the kids and the parents, you are not gaining any sympathy from the parents who are following thess stories and might be inclined to agree with you in spite of the fact that they are also experiencing pay freezes, no bonuses, reduced hiring or promotions and lay offs- or are under employed when they contantly read stories with teachers bashing them and their kids.
I misspelled these when I wrote thess stories…
The voice of one crying in the wilderness.
“THE OUTFIT” is inappropriate for anyone to wear in a school setting. Isn’t there a dress code? I guess if she’s sent home to change, her civil rights are being violated. It’s a shame that’s what this country has come to.
it’s shorts. Not my taste, but it’s just shorts people!
Yes short shorts which look like they would not pass the fingertip test. I have seen far worse but they are still not school appropriate.
no it’s a shame what parents are letting their kids get away with!
You can now add Edgewood High School to that list…started today.
HALLS Cross Roads Too!
Teachers need to Be professional…teachers should DRess professional..teachers should be setting appropriate examples and be role model for truth and honesty….SO SHOULD OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS!! PAY US WHAT WE DESERVE TO BE WHAT YOU EXPECT US TO BE…THE BEST IN THE US! Getting fed your disrespectful crap.
To: Republican Union Teacher Not for Craig
Wow…I hope you’re not really a teacher. If you are, it had better not be English. If you really are I can see why you haven’t gotten a raise. It’s scary to think that you could possibly be a teacher and can’t even write a proper sentence and spell simple words.
As long as they are following the contract I’m good with it. After all that’s what all union workers do. Autoworkers, Teamsters, IBEW, foodworkers, etc. When the whistle blows they pack up, clock out and leave. Why should the teachers be any different than all of the other blue collar union workers? Oh, yeah, I forgot. Maybe because they tout themselves as professionals with advanced degrees?
Hey Alex,
Your comment reads as if you are a bit disappointed with the teachers for following their contract. Yet, I do not see you upset with HCPS nor Harford County, for failing to follow the contract? Now, I do know that Harford County did not do the negotiating. However, HCPS did, and through HCPS, Harford County does have some obligations. The legal obligations between the county and the school system are very complicated. I am not sure about the exact dealings with the funding. (I have sent out a few flyers to some associates to get a better grasp on this as I am fascinated by this process)
To me, it is simple:
I have no problem with, and I respect anyone that follows their contract.
I appreciate and admire anyone that goes above and beyond their contract.
I despise anyone that breaks their contract and find their conduct to be reprehensible. (As I do with anyone that violates the law).
Anyways, have a nice day.
Paul,
You misunderstand. If that is what they want to do then, as I said, “I’m good with it.” It’s their job and their personal decision. If it blows back on them then they are the ones that suffer the impact, not me. If it works for them I’m also fine with it. I do have a problem figuring out if they are your run-of-the-mill hourly union workers or are professionals. Seems like they want to be both depending on the circumstances. I do agree that the contract issues are complex and I am sure that most teachers don’t really understand the fine print of the contract regarding wages. The contract is not binding on the school board unless it is funded by the county government. All of this talk about being in violation of the contract with regard to step increases is baloney. And that is really too bad for the teachers because they do deserve something and have been led to believe that the contract says something that it does not. The BOE and the HCEA entered in to an agreement and both knew, or should have known, that some of the provisions, including step increases, were not cast in concrete. If the HCEA led its members to believe otherwise then shame on them but that is an issue between HCEA and its dwindling membership.
When ever it is convenient for the Board and the Govt, teachers are professional, When it is not so , they are treated as blue collar workers subject to labor laws etc- No Strike . It would be good to define their position finally. If they are professional, thhey should be paid as such, given more power to self regulate their ranks, and have a major change in attitude by their mnagers. If they are to be considered blue collar, the should be legally be given the right of strike, have fewer regulation as to their recertification and advanced education, Work to rule on regular business. The extra programs would disapper- sports, music, drama, etc. After 30 * years of service toHCPS , I know that morale of the teachers is low, approaching the level in 1976 when I participated in an illegal strike made so by the government that had passed a law requirinf collective bargaining. Talking about stacking the deck! If a doctor wants to withold his services because of fear of malpractice, is he /she forced to treat the patient? I think not. Shouuld teachers have the power to do the same? If professional , they should, particularly if they are gouing to be held accountable for their results.
Currently teachers are required to teach all the students- No Child left behind_I know of many who should have bent left behind in order to permit others to progress at a more rapid and in greater depth.. Into which group would you fall?
No apology!
Look teachers and government workers, get a clue with what the private industry has to deal with. Many private employees have not had a raise in 3 years either. Most consider themselves fortunate to even have a job in this tough economy. If you don’t like the way you are being treated, the quit and find another job as cushy as the one you have. There are plenty of people who would take your job at your current salary in a heartbeat.
Those “plenty of people” better have a Master of Arts or maybe 2 Master of Arts or a Doctorate for that matter and have busted their ass for years then….fine let them come take my job. Doubt they will because most “jobs” where people earn that much education get paid twice as much as we do. Nowhere else can you have sooooo many advanced degrees, be #1 in the friggin nation in schools and get screwed so bad. COME TAKE MY JOB THEN IF IT IS SO CUSHY. We work damn hard and EARNED every damn dollar and we are sick of being taken advantage of.
One of the biggest mistakes ever made was requiring this “advanced” degree to teach. Preparation to be a teacher could easily be done within a 4 year specialized program with no further requirement. The only this it seems to have accomplished is to lead teachers into believing they ought to be paid as if they’re building superconductors, or working at NASA.
Money Tree, I swear you bring out the worst in me…
Only someone with the narrowest view of the future could attempt saying what you just did. Where to begin??? Well, let’s go!
You said:
“One of the biggest mistakes ever made was requiring this “advanced” degree to teach.” ~ Wow. Words don’t exist to express what I’m thinking.
“Preparation to be a teacher could easily be done within a 4 year specialized program with no further requirement.” ~ Clearly you have finally admitted to knowing NOTHING about teaching or the profession.
“The only this it seems to have accomplished is to lead teachers into believing they ought to be paid as if they’re building superconductors, or working at NASA.” ~ Or preparing the people who do!
Bad news Money Tree… NASA are government employees – HATE THEM, too.
Tell me… do you feel such disdain for all public servants?
My comment had nothing to do with being a public employee; if you read it clearly you’d see (well hopefully) it was intended to point out the need for specialized and advanced skills and the higher wages that correlate. I have 3 generations of teachers in my family; my grandmother was the best of them all and until she passed a few years ago continued to get thank you cards from students who remembered how great she was – she didn’t have any advanced degrees. She graduated from a teachers college and then passed a simple skill test. I think requiring unnecessary education quite easily (and understandibly) leads teachers to believe they ought to be paid much more than realistically taxpayers can afford.
“My comment had nothing to do with being a public employee;”
~ I understand – I am asking a question… that is what that little hook above a period indicates…
“if you read it clearly you’d see (well hopefully) it was intended to point out the need for specialized and advanced skills and the higher wages that correlate.”
~ I saw. It tells me you need to understand that learning theory has advanced a bit even in the past 20 years.
“I have 3 generations of teachers in my family; my grandmother was the best of them all and until she passed a few years ago continued to get thank you cards from students who remembered how great she was – she didn’t have any advanced degrees.”
~ Then you should be ashamed of how you hate teachers. No doubt your grandmother was a great teacher. And if she were alive and entering teaching today she’d get the higher degrees also. Would you hate her then, too?
“She graduated from a teachers college and then passed a simple skill test.”
~ A couple generations ago that was the norm. Today we have Praxis exams. I did not find them particularly difficult, but I had to work my butt off to make it that easy.
“I think requiring unnecessary education quite easily (and understandibly) leads teachers to believe they ought to be paid much more than realistically taxpayers can afford.”
Unnecessary education? I’m still stunned.
I don’t need to be paid for my degrees. I need to be paid for my expertise and experience. I need to take care of my family, too.
When should that occur? When should a contract be honored?
Should it wait until county government has a surplus? It does.
Should it wait until the BOE agrees to give 2 steps and a COLA after years of not doing so? It did.
What part of that are you failing to understand?
Listen, you need to stop this lie. The county ran a $32 million SURPLUS last year! Do you understand that? Clearly the county can afford what they have and still fund a step increase!
Money Tree, your view is so myopic I cannot believe what I read.
You are giving me a headache. I can discuss issues with people of a different opinion as long as they illustrate common sense and they have arrived at their conclusions through an honest appraisal of the facts. You are stuck on lying. I’m done with you.
Hey Money Tree,
I am curious. What other professions, that require an advanced degree (or even a degree for that matter), do you think don’t need advanced (or any) degree?
Do medical doctors need advanced degrees, or would a specialized Bachelor’s degree in ‘Doctoring’ suffice?
What about lawyers? Do they need advanced degrees or would a specialized B.S. (pun intended) degree suffice?
How about psychologists? Social Workers? College professors, maybe a B.A is professoring would be a cool new 4 year degree.
Anyways, have a nice day.
What makes you think I hate teachers? I hate unions – that I’ll certainly admit to, but most teachers bring great value to what they do. It’s just such a shame we can’t reward the ones who should be because the darn union supresses any ability to reward excellence.
Moneytree…seriously….lol, you can’t be that stupid to not realize the additional amount of expertise that is gained through the acquisition of our advanced degrees? I can’t even begin to go into the myriad of advantages it provides in, not only the pedagogy, but our subject matter. You don’t think your grandmother did any professional improvement, attended a conference, read additional books, or took another class her whole career….get real. I guess it is easy to teach…”get your degree in a cereal box” it is just sooooo easy. Come teach AP CHEM, AP US HISTORY, AP CALC, MANDARIN, etc….and the many other classes we reach to prepare people like you to rule the world.
Maryland # 1 schools in NATION
HCPS…one of the best in the state.
HONOR THE DAMN CONTRACT
Why the drama? Never said you could learn to teach from the back of a cereal box. Certainly a 4 years comprehensive course of study is enough to teach 7th grade english. You’re making it out to be far more than it is.
Money Tree – Do you work odd shifts? I sure hope you are not a teacher like your other family members. I would hate to think what the students would learn while you are glued to The Dagger. I would like to be able to post all day on Dagger and get paid too. Actually not. Your post times makes me think you have plenty of free time on your hands. What is your cushy job? Maybe some of these teachers that you hold in such low esteem could get one. It does not seem too time consuming and perhaps not too difficult. Afterall, I am sure that you aren’t engineering the next generation of marketable GMO’s. Unlike you, I value my educators and was fortunate to be taught math nd physics by a PhD who himself was physicist. When I got to college, I was the only person in my Calc class who could solve all the advanced word problems and finished with a 105% average. I support teachers in their efforts. They helped me become the successful person that I am today. Their position is not unreasonable, and I will stand with them them rather than against them as you have sadly chosen to do.
This is easy. Teachers,… are you tired of not being heard?
Do you resent the lack of support from your fellow private sector citizens that think you should work for nothing such as Mr(s) Realistic Citizen?
Stop patronizing those who don’t support you. Your power is in your purse.
The same people railing against you are the ones whose restaurants you frequent. Quite frankly, in the restaurants here “The apostrophe “S” capital of franchises is not that good. It comes out of a mass produced prepared recipe sack anyway. You are lying to yourself if, you think you are getting haute cuisine or any type of ambiance. If, they don’t support you then, don’t support them.
The guys who come around on a pick up truck laiden with lawn mowers to cut your lawn are paid by you for the convenience of not having to cut your lawn yourself. Many are the same guys who don’t want to pay the taxes to pay you. Get some exercise, and mow the lawn yourselves. If, your lawn is too big. Buy a riding lawn mower from another county, state or online. You’ll come out cheaper in the long run and you won’t be undermind by your own dollar. That goes for any other service too.
Many of those doctors that you think is soooo, great because he prescribes, and sees you at your beckon call ( as long as it fits his prescribed appointment schedule) will always be there…FOR YOOOURRR MONEY. I’m sure he has just the cure. You are dependent. He maintains you, you pay, he profits, keeping you in the same relative condition. No better just hanging on. AND…, you keep coming back. Most of the conditions you suffer from you don’t need him for.
That little shi-shi gym you ride to. Put it in your basement.
Maybe if, you cut your own lawns you wouldn’t need the doctor, the gym with all the gossip, or the lawn care service.
The list goes on. Stop supporting these people that do not support you.
These supposed self starters, private enterprise junkies oops, I mean the nebulously defined “small business entrepreneurs” are STABBING YOU IN THE BACK. You need to stop patronizing them.
No wonder!!! YOU… are running to their phony little cheesy dress shops. There is not a decent fabric shop in Harford County (Don’t believe it…try to by gabardine, chino, khaki, or 140 weight wool here) Therefore, you can’t even gain the skill or engage in competitive pricing by making your own clothes.
Harford County touts itself as a bedroom community. This is very true but, the arrogance, self serving, isolationist, provinicality is costing you teachers dearly.
I support you and your cause but, you have to support yourselves. You need to do that in a political, and capitalistic sense and THEN maybe, you’ll get some economic return on the dollars you spend.
You are taking a lot of condescending crap from a lot of bloviating, sanctimonious _______s
TEACHERS….you are the consumers that keep these people in business and they are using you for political fodder to move an extreme agenda.
STOP PATRONIZING THEM AND THEY’LL STOP TURNING AGIN YA!!!
Finally, this is for all of you who hate the unions of any type and for the unions themselves. This is especially, relative to you teachers. Maybe, you should read a history book from time to time. Then maybe you will understand why you have unions in the first place. That is why we have weekends. That is why 9 year olds are not working 14 hours a day. It was done through a collective activity. The dues was a pittance of the membership’s salary. It wasn’t a tax, nor, a tithe.
yes, read a history book. then you’ll also learn that despite all of the good things that unions “gave us”, that they were, and still are, a Marxist construct. they have outlived their usefulness, if they ever had one. read about Hitler’s rise to power on the backs of the “workers”. and Stalin, too. please, educate yourselves.
as for the petty comments about the picture: yes, that woman/girl is dressed inapropriately for a school setting. and here is how to fix it: if she is a student, she may not attend class until her attire is corrected, and cannot make up missed work. if she is a teacher, the school administration sends her home to change as well, and requires that she make up the missed time by assigning her to saturday school or detention duty. I gaurantee, that would be the last time she dressed like that for school.
APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT?!!!!
It is very uncomfortable in high school to have male administrators talk to female students about their attire. HCPS should make an effort to try and put a female in the high schools. School my kids in just lost a male and gained another male. 4 male administrators and no female. One was transferred out last year to a school where there was already one. I know on several occasions there were some “issues” with students and parents over an administrator telling a female she had to change her clothes. Guess the men running the school system don’t think about it.
frustrated parent – it’s only uncomfortable because you let it be. if a girl is dressed like a street walker, or a guy dressed in gang colors or symbols, it should not matter what gender administrator reprimands the student. my goodness, this political correct BS has got to stop.
You are misinterpreting my comment. In a perfect world it shouldn’t matter if a young male administrator is telling a female student that her shirt is too low cut but that girl’s parents may not think so at all and it might not be violating the dress code! Additionally it is a little difficult to take the dress code seriously when you have teachers with their underwear hanging out of their pants and kids all see it. I am not saying it is right, just saying that is the way it is.
Frustrated, I did not mean to imply that you are excessively PC. I understand your comments. perhaps I am being too much of an idealist. I attended private school (many moons ago) and we had a much stricter dress code, and it was strictly and fairly enforced. I don’t really see why a public school with equally or even more qualified teachers can’t effectively enforce a rather lax dress code. that’s all.
Jtownejeff
First,…. direct your rebuttals to those who made the accusations. If, you read my post thoroughly you’ll note I never commented on the subject of the lady’s attire whose pictured in the article or comment on those who did regarding that particular subject.
Secondly, where did you read that Stalin used unionized labor to transform Russia’s land into cities? True, it was ONE if, not THE fastest industrializations of territory into industrialized cities during pre WWII 20th century (now, pay attention since, you like to conflate issues I did not say FIRST I said “FASTEST” they both begin with f but sound different and mean different things) BUT, I think if, you compare your basement published neo-anarchist novel you’ll find it doesn’t comport with the accounts in most college history text.
I could go into your references to Hitler but, you’d probably confuse my rebuttal with some obfuscated intepretation of some attempt of an accusation of likening you to him so, you can play the reverse victimization role.
So,….PUT D-O-O-W-W-W-N-N-N THE BE-E-e-er,…go wash you face,…and load what ever it is your hauling around back onto the trailer dude. But, all jokes aside, DON”T DRIVE WHILE INTOXICATED, PLEASE!!!
I guess, I should expect as much from a dude calling himself jtownjeff.
Oh, by the way, about the lady’s attire…I’ll continue to keep my opinion and remedies if, needed on that to myself since, I’m more concerned with the teachers’ issues.
Publius cornelius blah blah blah
you know, for someone who claims to be a Roman General and Statesman, you sure come across as stupid; or at least ignorant.
First, go back to elementary school (assuming you’ve passed that point) and learn when and where to properly punctuate your sentences. Never mind the difference of who’s and whose.
Second, regarding the female’s attire and the comments about it, my statement was not necessarily directed at you. I was posting from a mobile device and didn’t feel like waiting for the page to reload and post a separate comment. Get over it.
Third, regarding history: Stalin and Hitler both used the unions to galvanize the workers behind their goals. Once they had the support of the unions and the workers, they screwed them and used them. Did Russia’s economy grow immensely under Stalin’s regime? Absolutely. Did any single Russian person, outside of the Regime, share in any of that prosperity? absolutely not. When unions are in charge, only the union leadership prospers. The workers get the crumbs and are told it’s filet.
Fourth, regarding me. Where to start…. you left out the “e” in “JtowneJeff”. Please use your spell-check function. I have a habit of not drinking alcoholic beverages while working. I have this thing called a work ethic. Also, my work does not consist of loading things on to trucks or trailers or whatever you thought I did for a living. Oh, yeah, my basement published neo-anarchist text books. I’m still laughing at that one. I can honestly not recall the last time someone attempted to imply that I was an anarchist of any sort. Quite the contrary: I’m a Federalist. Oh, and the Hitler thing. feel free to attempt to rebut me on that one, too. you see, I’m not a thin-skinned sissy, so I don’t play the victim card. Ever. But good luck finding any factual evidence that Hitler didn’t use unions as a mean to his ends.
Funny that in one statement you call me a neo-anarchist, and in another, indicate that I am in some twisted way similar to Hitler, one of History’s most tyrannical fascist leaders ever. Pick one, please.
Your assumptions about my line of work and drinking habits, among other false assumptions, only prove that you cannot debate me on the merit of facts. The facts disagree with your world view. Stubborn things, those facts are, huh?
Good night, oh great Scipio!
I like Hitler references they always go something like this:
Hitler did it/used it so it was/is bad.
Hitler and Stalin used air henceforth air shall be declared bad.
The only problem is that if this happened at my school and I told her to leave class and change, there would be some administrator that would feel that this in not that big of a deal. She would be sent back to class and I would be required to make sure she was given any missed work. This is the problem, teachers don’t feel supported when they correct students. I have seen students fight and been told by an administrator that it was not seen on the camera so there is no consequence given. This is why we feel so defeated and on top of all the crap that we endure daily, the county does not want to pay us. It’s deeper than the average citizen understands.
Hey Realistic,
“Look teachers and government workers, get a clue with what the private industry has to deal with. Many private employees have not had a raise in 3 years either.” – What you fail to account for is that the teachers have a contract which negotiated a step increase. Most private employers did not negotiate this into their contract to work. Furthermore, private employers typically pay at a higher rate for similarly educated workers. So, part of the allure of teaching is steady pay and pay increases; as well as good benefits. The allure of private jobs is higher pay and, especially during the good years, bonuses.
“Most consider themselves fortunate to even have a job in this tough economy.” – The economy in Harford County really isn’t that tough.
“If you don’t like the way you are being treated, the quit and find another job as cushy as the one you have.” – How about people just honor their contracts? If you had a contract with someone and they didn’t honor it, what would you do? I know I, depending on the importance of the contract, would utilize all available legal methods to fight for what was fairly contracted.
“There are plenty of people who would take your job at your current salary in a heartbeat.” – Maybe plenty of people that are extremely unqualified, under educated, and delusional.
Anyways, have a nice day.
Paul Mc,
Let’s quit comparing your private sector job to a teacher’s job.. Just because you make more money then teachers we still have I am sure more advanced degrees than your private sector. We are required to get master’s degrees and then credits to keep our teaching certificates current. Until you walk in our shoes just remember that we work just as much if not more than your private sector. We just want what was agreed in our contract, our step raises which effect our retirement and a cost of living!!!
Just sayin!
Does anyone here have any statistics on teachers in Japan? Are they unionized, what is their work day schedule, pay scale, the math/reading scores of their students, etc.? Parents really need to be paying extra close attention to what’s going on in their kids’ classrooms. It’s been made very, very clear to parents, taxpayers, students, substitute teachers, Board of Education members, how REALLY, REALLY mad HCPS teachers/employees are and how little they will do until they get their fair share!
ALL of the jobs in the Japanese economy are much more federally subsidized than any of ours. So, what’s the point?
I really believe the comments on here. Really, you want to discuss dress codes here? You are pathetic. As far as the real issue, I am very sorry for the teachers, they deserve more…. But so do I, and I am working for less than I did 10 years ago, my husband hasn’t gotten a raise in 5-6 years and his company may fold up any day! It sucks but be happy you’re employed for now.
While I understand the teachers’ frustration, I don’t agree with them making their point in a way that negatively affects the students. My daughter has a few teachers who have had discussions about their grievances during class. That’s innappropriate.
It is extremely inappropriate. I agree with you 100% That should not take place. It is not your daughter’s fault for the predicament that the teachers are in.
Quite honestly as a student at HCPS I feel that this is a very relevant issue. As much as it may be “inappropriate” to discuss financial matter with students, in this case there is a very important reason for these discussions. How do you explain to a hardworking class why you can’t stay after to help them with their essays? Or why its take a few days longer to grade a very important assignment? I feel that the teachers are not doing this to get students on their side, but to rather explain to them what the heck is happening to their education.
@a student
No a teacher should have discussions with students about compensation, contract negotiations or working conditions with students.
No as in never! It’s inappropriate and if a teacher does they should be reprimanded.
@ Porter
I do understand and respect your opinion, however I feel that this is a grey area. In my experiences as a student, teachers have been very open with us about their “work life.” I don’t feel my relationship with my teachers had been compromised on any level, nor has my respect for teacher/administrator been diminished. I’m not saying that my teachers gossip with their students, rather they explain what is going on and what the effects towards us will be. I think collectively as a society we all need to ask ourselves, “Where do we draw the line between what a personal and professional relationship is?” And it is fully understandable why we should not be discussing these matters with students- in a perfect world I would be right there with you, Porter. I just can’t agree with you under the current situations at both the HCPS level and the national level.
@A student
No, I don’t think you understand teachers who commiserate with students on compensation, contract negotiations or working condition matters are violating the code of conduct.
It is unethical and if a teacher involves students in any of these ways they should be reprimanded and potentially terminated.
Porter don’t be so idiotic. In no way is a teacher answering a students question factually and without bias a violation of any code of conduct! What code are you talking about??!! A code you wrote somewhere in your own delusional mind. Teachers may not use INSTRUCTIONAL time to discuss with students.Teachers should not be bringing it up as a discussion topic in class. Students are being affected by this action and DO have a right to have their questions answered directly, honestly, and without attempt to influence them- just like we do for a number of questions we get every day. It is relevant to their lives and their education and to current events. Many of their parents are also teachers and those kids are happy to give the reasons. From a teacher-a sufficient answer to student questions would be the following: Many teachers are standing up for their professions and working to contract only- students should read the papers and talk to their parents and decide how they feel about that and if they want to do anything about it. I understand sheltering the elementary or even the middle school kids but our high school students as demonstrated in this ones well written post- are highly intelligent and very aware of what is going on. If they want to know why we aren’t staying after and why we are holding signs on the streets, why we won’t be sponsoring the activities they love most, why their club can’t meet next Tuesday- we have a responsibility to let them know that though it hurts them and affects them it has NOTHING to do with not caring about them!!!! It is a ridiculous shame that by NOT CARING about these kids, our schools, or their employees- the powers that be have put educators who would prefer to go back to business as usual- in a position where we are faced with such difficult questions in the first place! If you had any sense at all you would be REPRIMANDING the politicians who have made teachers, schools, and students pawns in this awful mess in the first place!
Porter- if you think that we are incapable of treating controversial material delicately and responsibly, then you forget what we do for a living. Ask a science teacher, health teacher, history teacher, psychology teacher, art teacher, English teacher and they will tell you THIS is the CODE OF CONDUCT: We tell them this- Learn as much as you can from reliable sources, read, find the facts, and understand that issues are framed; be aware of media bias and the trappings of the interconnected, global, high-tech world we live in. Talk to your parents and families. Based on your research, make an informed decision on where you stand. Participate in Civil Discourse responsibly and with polite manners if you choose to do so. Agree to disagree sometimes, but do it maturely and show RESPECT to those whose views differ from yours.
We are in the business of educating young people to become independent and responsible citizens of a Democracy in public schools- we are NOT in the business of telling anyone what to believe in terms of personal belief.
I don’t think you have to worry about we are handling a situation that is having a direct impact on our students. We’ve also done this throughout our entire careers. We know what we are doing.
@ Porter
First, thanks for responding to my comments- I’m actually learning a lot from this experience and I’m honestly not being sarcastic at all.
But I digress-
Neither students nor teachers shed their rights at the schoolhouse door. While there are certain things that cannot be said, it is just easier to say that in this case you and me have a difference of opinion. I would rather end it now than turn this into a “bloody” internet battle.
@A student
What part of inappropriate and improper do you not understand.
Teachers are not allowed to use students as pawns in their pursuit of compensation increases and political gains.
@ Porter
Wow… are you really attacking a 16 year old? I believe that in my last post I said that not only do I respect your opinion, but that both of us clearly have a difference of opinions and that we should stop the discussion. However you have decided to declare “battle.” But quite honestly I’m not going to fall for your internet troll. I’m sorry that you and I feel differently, however just because I have different feeling on a subject doesn’t mean that one person if right or wrong. Please just accept this and we can both move on. Thank you.
@a student
Actually, I’m right and you are wrong.
Maybe you should accept it!
@a student
P.S. Great that you learned a lot…happy I could help!
My neighbors daughter came home yesterday and said most of her teachers were “complaining to them about getting paid more.”
@B
Itis inappropriate and improper for teachers to act is in this manner. They are using students for their own purposes. Disgusting!
I agree, but what should they say when a student asks why they can not get help during lunch or after school. The kids are asking questions and we can’t ignore them.
Does David Craig have any family working for the school system?
I believe a son-in-law at Havre de Grace!
The union has made it very clear that instructional time is NOT to be used to discuss this with students- teachers should NOT be doing this! However, it is a difficult position when kids have questions about the loss of their programs and the actions that will unfortunately hurt them and teachers feel compelled to answer them honestly when they want to know why we will not be sponsoring clubs or why they can not stay after today or why all of their best and favorite teachers who have always done so much for them are walking in and out of the building together in a mob. It’s not an easy position to be in. While teachers have a responsibility to be professional and follow the “rules” of work to rule- the bottom line is it is going to affect our kids. That is the worst part of it all for everyone- not one teacher wants this, but this is what the county has done to education here. They have the power to fix things and make it right by all. I have little faith that they will. It is not the teachers’ faults. They have their own families and children to consider. When my students ask me why this is happening, I tell them I can not talk about this but they can read the papers. None of it- especially that part- telling the kids I can’t even tell them why this is happening- is pleasant. It’s heart-breaking really. What a terrible way to end a school year.
It is the responsibility of the Bosrd of Education, and their district’s councilman, or education representative to inform the parents. and the parents to inform the students.
And, yes…this is why we have newspapers too!
Not to be patronizing but, this one is doing an excellent job of that right now. It would make for a nice social studies project once, the dust settles.
Or a great lesson in faulty logic, fallacy, and ad hominem versus logical rhetoric. 🙂
Have you heard of the American Medical Association, the American Bar Association? These are professional organizations that protect the rights of their members.
For being a tool
Why should teachers spend more time at work without additional pay, when H.C. Government Employees AND Sheriff Department employees receive additional pay at time and one half for all time worked past their regular reqired hours? The teachers are correct to do what they are doing.
Deputies are on “salary” just like teachers. They have a salary scale based on years of service and work a required number of hours per shift. Additional hours past that are paid as overtime. Not so for teachers.
It was so nice to watch the 40+ teachers walk out today at 2:20 at Edgewood High. Felt a bit weird since we are usually there much later…..amazing what we do for free.
Teachers-
Please stop whining. As an HR professional, I have had to tell 1,000’s of people that they are not getting bonuses this year, and also that their insurance rates are going up ten dollars…
Be lucky that you have a job, teachers……. lay-offs are no fun….something many companies continue to do today….
I would love to have all summer off, and weeks at a time throughout the year….. The time it takes for you to whine and complain, you could be teaching, or grading papers.
Talia, are you serious? You do realize teachers are compensated as 10 month employees. You do realize teachers never get bonuses and their insurance rates also go up.
Please Andrew!!!!!
Last time I checked you can make your paychecks 12 months versus 10…
Your benefits are so, so less expensive than most companies.
Stop whining and grade papers.
Update your facts before you post. I believe HCPS did away with the 12 month option about 5 or 10 years ago. You are a bit behind the times.
When I was hired 10 years ago the only way to get 12 month pay was a deal Harco did where they took a portion of your money and placed it in a seperate account and dolled it out in the summer. HCPS has not had that in the last ten years.
Summer pay was done away with at the request of HCEA. They felt they were being cheated out of interest that could be earned on the money. Even then their members turned on them because most of the teachers liked the summer pay.
Talia,
If you do the summer savings option through HARCO, you are still payed as a 10 month employee. They just take extra out of your check so that you receive money over the summer. You don’t elect to be a 12 month employee and get paid more.
What’s your deal anyway? I don’t understand the animosity towards teachers. You do realize they don’t make a lot of money for what they have to deal with. I guarantee the average teacher deals with situations on a daily basis that most of us wouldn’t be able to deal with.
So, you propose we pay teachers minimum wage and no benefits. That would really help the education system and the future of our country. Right?
Let’s not blame HCPS for what HCEA did. If you don’t like it then you better talk to Cerveny. Or his front man, Ryan.
Alex I know you love to blame HCEA for everything. No one is complaining about 12 month pay being gone. People are simply pointing out to a misinformed poster who claimed there is an option for it that it is in fact not an option and has not been for a while!!!!
Lol….”I wold love to…” then why don’t you if it is such a great career? 10 months work=10 months pay. You have no clue how much we do during the summer…classes, writing curriculum, the list goes in. Talk to a dedicated teacher and ask them about “summers off”…seriously?
BOO, HOO, HOO!!!!
About 99% of the private sector people I know work about 65+ hours a week, haven’t had raises and don’t complain. You would never make it in Corporate America. I could see someone like you crying about everything…
Not quite, actually my wife and I own 2 corporations right here in the county. One is an S-Corp. & the other an LLC so you have no idea what you are talking about. My wife and I bust our tails putting in more hours s week than you can imagine…and yes times are tough in both businesses, but we are not “lucky”…we survive because we don’t cry…we sacrifice and whatever it takes. It us not easy owning a business & taking the risk. “never make it in the corporate world”… Gimme a break. You should know what you are talking about before you assume.
65 hours per week? Yeah, right. You seemed to be making rational arguments until you posted that garbage.
You’re way off base. If you are from Corporate America then you really haven’t a clue what it means to work in the public sector. Strangely there are always issues of integrity and always a glaring public focus on what public employees do. In Corporate America, the only time we find out about your misbehavior and lack of ethics is after a meltdown and a government supported investigation. Give up your Corporate America job and come teach in a middle school. Stop telling other people how lucky they are to have jobs. Your position could be easily outsourced and it would certainly be a tragedy, for you. But the people you impugn with your vastly outrageous insistence on what Corporate America does for chuckles and giggles only indicates your arrogance… exactly why are you in HR? Is it for the drama?
They complain, who wouldn’t ? The fact is nobody cares because it doesn’t affect their kids or property value. You sound childish. You can’t possibly have a child attending a school in this county. This is a mess and the BOE needs to correct this. Whether you sympathize or not, children will suffer in the fall when they return to school.
“About 99% of the private sector people I know work about 65+ hours”…LOL. After I read that I knew this was either a high school dropout or a student themselves.
99% work 65 hour weeks? Don’t complain? No raises?
What are you talking about? Do you know 1 person or something? You do realize that is 9 hour days 7 days a week, right? If they are getting this raw of a deal, then it is on them to find a new job. I know a lot of people, and 99% of them don’t work 65 hour weeks.
Judging from the immaturity and lack of thoughtfulness in your comments, I am not sure how you make it in “Corporate America.”
Talia,
You are either making things up or really are clueless. I was a teacher for 9 years. I’ve been in the private sector now for a little over 5. I know very few people in the private sector who work 65+ hours per week. In fact, in this economy, most companies are doing away with overtime and a lot of people are not even allowed to work over 40 hours per week if they are overtime eligible. I am “salaried” but am overtime eligible. In my role, I average about 45 hours per week, sometimes 50…BUT…I am paid time and a half for anything over 40 hours…NOT SO for teachers who put in more than 40 hours per week. The only people I know who work more than 50 hours per week in my business are upper management who are making 6 figures plus anyway.
Most teachers work through the summer. They do not get paid at all in summer. In HCPS, we make 75% of our daily pay doing the same intense job. this is so teachers can try to pay bills and maitain some livelyhood. Many of these summer jobs have been canelled therefore teachers again must find some type of other employment. It is not about whining, it is simply about respect. We are not respeted by our administrators, obviously certain people in this blog, students, parent, and our PAYCHECK!! Before you assume and jugde, walk a day in a teacher shoes. Btw, no person in the world will not have what they have (or don’t have) with out teahers and education…….just saying
Working to rule will cause some discomfort for children, parents, and teachers, but losing good teachers in Harford County Schools is much worse. There are already a number of excellent teachers who have left because they couldn’t afford to work for HCPS any longer. We love teaching, we love our kids, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have an obligation to do the best we can for our families.
Exactly, and the exodus has begun…surprised at how many I have talked to who are leaving or looking elsewhere to teach. It will def. impact the quality of education in the county if this continues.
Worktorule,
All of that “and the exodus has begun” stuff sounds good but, in point of fact, the surrounding jurisdictions (Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Cecil County) have very few openings. Most of them are available in Baltimore City. Need I say more about that? If you are good with the commute for the pay difference and can actually get one of the jobs then by all means go for it. Just don’t give anyone the impression that there are dozens and dozens of much higher paying jobs somewhere nearby.
Alex,
There are actually many better & higher paying jobs inside and outside of education that these people are going to. Some are returning to the private sector, some have found other counties to teach in, and others are choosing other states to go to where the pay/comp. is higher and the working conditions are less hostile. Morale is low Alex….competent, qualified, and proven teachers will not stay forever when they can move on.
Your statement presumes they find teaching jobs elsewhere. Why would they want to continue to work in Maryland where the cost of living is high but the income for them is so relatively low for the work required? I took a $5000 cut in pay to move to a similar job in Arizona 16 years ago. My quality of living improved. Just because Maryland thinks it is great does not mean it is so.
David,
I’m pinching myself because I can’t believe we agree. “Just because Maryland thinks it is great doesn’t mean it is so.” What a shock that is going to be to MOM and his cronies in Annapolis. High taxes is what Maryland offers unless you are an undocumented worker (there, see, I can be politically correct) then the benefits are much better because Maryland is a sanctuary state. If it wasn’t for the lousy snow I would be considering Wisconsin.
Actually there are a lot of openings. And your tone suggest that teaching in an urban setting is a bad thing. Aren’t all children suppose to learn. Actually it is law called F.A.P.E. (Free and appropriate education). So is working in that setting a bad thing? I have been in the city and county and to be honest, there really is no difference, well one difference. THE PAY!! is almost $6000 more with multiple opportunites during the year for bonuses for student performance as well as professional development….Just saying..
Is working in that setting a bad thing? The teacher will have to answer that for themselves. You are not going to commute to the inner city or to most of Baltimore County or even Cecil County (remember the toll increase MOM just imposed) and you know it. And you aren’t likely to move in this housing market. So, like me, you are stuck where you are or are likely faced with a ridiculous commute. So we stay where we are and do what we can being careful not to burn bridges. Just make sure your union reps aren’t burning bridges because they are protected and you are not.
The commute to the North East area in Baltimore County (Middle River, Essex, Dundalk, Perry Hall, Kingsville etc.) is not that bad. Commuting to “the Zone” is not that bad. Owings Mills, well that would be a 45 minute commute from Bel Air but when combined with a 8-10 K pay increase you might think it is worth it?
Tons of jobs for Science, Math and Special Educators. My Private school I teach at, that takes the non-public placement kids from many places in this state, has many openings for former special educators and we start at a high rate with matching 401K. The medical benefits are not as good at teaching but are not overly expesive. Wife had several interviews in Cecil and Baltimore Counties.
Keep us posted CDEV. She will love the commute.
LA TEACHER,
Absolutely. If you can get an opportunity that seems better to you by all means take it. I’m personally not sure how much discomfort it will cause for anyone. Let the chips fall where they may. If you are a good teacher I’m sorry to see you go. If you are an average teacher then there are a big bunch waiting for your slot. If you are one of the poor ones then maybe you should try some other profession.
Remember your words when test scores start going down, and your kid doesn’t have what it takes to go to the college of his/her choice.
@Lateacher
We have spots for good teachers, but we have a full supply of teachers with bad attitudes. You should try New York State.
Add c Milton to the list. They walked out today
Teachers,
I don’t know what more to say other than the fact that if you aren’t happy, then leave.
Again, stop the crying and whining and be lucky to have a job.
Stop blaming David Craig….and the republican party….
1. We aren’t whining
2. Being lucky has nothing to do with it…hard work does.
It’s called making the future better for your children. Good teachers are leaving this county. There are those of us who have invested our lives in Harford county and have deep roots here, but we will be retiring. Harford County is losing its teaching talent base for the future.
Ignore Talia. She is just a troll trying to get attention…most likely because of a lack of it elsewhere.
Talia-
Teachers do not have a choice to get paid for 12 months in Harford County! Get your facts straight! Plus, all we want is what we were promised! Wouldn’t you? I would love to see you do my job for one week…you have no idea the amount of work it takes, even during the summer!!
This is plain insanity. Teachers half of the posters on here could care less about you, and are more concerned with stirring up drama on a blog. They will argue every point you make just to argue.
Lets set some things straight.
1. Teachers are paid thru some type of tax system.
2. Almost every private sector business needs customers, many of which are teachers. So you do need them.
3. We live in a advanced society that require certain things that come via taxation. If you don’t like those service move to a country that doesn’t provide them. Personally I love our military, getting my garbage picked up, having my street plowed, and my children getting a good education.
4. Teachers have a 10 month contract. Days off for holidays are either set up by the government or board. Believe it or not parents advocate for certain holidays off.
4. I am sorry private sector I don’t buy the get used to the new times arguement. The moment the private sector has to jack up their wages they will. Also lets not forget the payscale, benefits, and pension for teachers have been published every so don’t blame them for the financial mess.
5. Teachers the work to rule thing really isn’t a big deal at the end of the year. Most are working to rule at this time anyhow.
The one thing everyone needs to realize is that this is a pr nightmare for the schools and the community. Imagine someone looking for a home and seeing this all over the place. They will choose to move to another county. That hurts everyone.
Well those who are looking in Harford County and see the reality of what is happening with schools should look elsewhere….
Maybe I can help!
“5. Teachers the work to rule thing really isn’t a big deal at the end of the year. Most are working to rule at this time anyhow”
You evidently haven’t been involved in a school in a long time. There are end of the year grades, finals that must be graded, IEPs and IEP progress reports that must be written, end of the year celebrations that must be planned… All this while planning engaging lessons so that chaos doesn’t break lose among the all too energetic masses. Very few teachers can get all the work done within the contracted work day.
I accidently checked my HCPS e-mail a few minutes ago. I had an e-mail from a parent whose child is indanger of failing and she wants extra credit work. I will get around to replying to tell her NO sometime tommorrow afternoon. I used to return those the same evening!
Great, Jeff. We are all proud of you. Actually your post was kinda off point but perhaps indicative of where we are today both as teachers and as parents. Any student in danger of failing at this point in the year shouldn’t be able to do enough extra work to pass. I would bet that you notified the parents a long time ago and they have been blowing it off until it has become a crisis. Yes? If so, what a fine example of parenthood.
Why yes I did let them know that failure was a possibility starting back in January. I used phone calls, letters home with the kid, letters in the mail, certified letters, progress reports, ed-line updates and report cards. About the beginning of May this child’s parent finally came to the realization they need a C this quarter. They are concerned because the kid has a high D, and one test to go which they must score a 98 or better on to get the C. I just e-mailed them back. My point was that before this I would have returned the e-mail that night and may have been inclined to allow the extra credit assignment, which would not have been easy. Extra Credit will not be an option anymore in some classes.
I have a suggestion to solve the “problem” of last minute extra credit . As a former HCPS teacher, I used to embed the extra credit points into the assignments. I gave extra points for neatness (always a great incentive), answering bonus questions etc. It is much easier on the student, parents and especially the teacher. Everyone is treated the same. A “failing” student should not have a greater advantage over the other students. I always told the parents that if I extended extra opportunities to their child, I would have to do it for every student! What I did for one, I did for all! I made my policy known on Day One and it was very effective. The parents and students seemed to appreciate this approach and it was a real time-saver for me. Good luck!
Well, then, Jeff if it were me I might not have answered their e-mail at all. I see that you bent over backwards for the parents and that they have teachers trained to do the unreasonable because they themselves demand it of you. At least they have you trained that way. Jerks are jerks, Jeff. Even if they have spawned offspring. You have spoiled them and you are repaing what you have sown. That being said, I also say “Shame on you because you aren’t really helping the student grow up in to a mature and repsonsible adult.”
Alex doing what I did was being responsible and is professional. If I notified the parent any less I would be told I did not provide timely notice of the issue. If I issued the EC it would have been very time consuming and made the student demonstrate the entire courses content. Any student who seriously did it is serious about changing. Any student simply looking for an easy fix wont do it. But back to my original point. Many teachers respond to e-mail at home. You will see less of that.
saw teachers outside of Abingdon ES today.
Talk about a scam, I know several teachers who draw unemployment during the summer. You should learn to budget your 10 months worth of pay into 12 months. Drawing unemployment when you are technically not layed off is milking the system.
Hitler used to do that too…
No, you don’t know any teachers that are collecting unemployment during the summer, because it isn’t possible. They are under contract, haven’t been laid off or terminated. Under those conditions, they would not qualify for unemployment. Period.
@roger baskins
If the teacher does not have a contract for the next school year they MAY be eligible for unemployment, however if they are under contract to teach they cannot collect unemployment during the summer time off.
You can still report these criminal teachers who illegally collect/steal unemployment benefits by calling the DLLR Fraud Hotline – 1-800-492-6804 or by mail:
Mail to Benefit Payment Control
Room 206, 1100 North Eutaw Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
or
Fax to 410-767-2610.
Didn’t you get enough with the last load that you foolishly posted?
I call shenanigans.
Post their names. No? Oh, that’s because you are full of it.
I guess we will have to just take your word for it. I’ve never heard of that happening and when you have to fill out the paperwork for unemployment, you list your current employment state. These people are still technically employed by Harford County Public Schools…even over the summer, so I really question the truthfulness of your post. Do you also go by the name “Talia” or do you just like to start rumors to discredit teachers?
Ah yes, welcome to the Dagger, where civilized conversation and decency reigns supreme.
I am 100% in support of our teachers in this case. The County is taking advantage of them, and counting on the fact that they routinely do far, far more than is required by their contract with the school system.
I hope this protest serves as a wakeup call to our public officials.
Really, There are alot of workers with master degree’s making alot less then teachers. You people and your union need to step back and look at the rest of society and be thankfull you have a job! You may quit anytime because the graduates would love to have your pay. I say if you do not like our system QUIT half of you are worth having anyway!P.S. My last child is following the others by heading to private school for a real education. Shame Shame Shame Teachers.
You are correct, a MA in Art History won’t get you a whole lot.
Send those kids to private school so they get a “real education.” Any chance you can get in on that education too?
Bill, Andrew Benkins ably handled the BS portion of your post…
I am thankful – what has one teacher said that indicates we are not thankful to have a job?
Are you thankful you have elected officials who choose not to honor a contract? You seem pleased they are not honoring their contract with teachers; would you be just as pleased they did not honor a contract negotiated with a road work crew? How about if your company was contracted to do work for the county and they decided not to honor it? Would you still be pleased?
I’m not going to argue against the notion there are graduates still seeking employment. Do you really want them teaching your future workers? The top level graduates have had their job offers for months already. The only ones left wandering around are the rejects. Does this please you?
Comparing a private and public education is dishonest. Public schools cannot reject kids, therefore class sizes are enormous by comparison. I’m not going to argue that it would be better for learners to have smaller class sizes. However, I will not say that teachers in either setting are better or worse.
Teachers are dedicated or not wherever they teach. A teacher in a private school who is less than dedicated will probably last as long as they would in the public school. There is enormous pressure to improve instruction, classroom management, technology skills, etc…, to sit idly.
I said in another post, teachers who choose not to improve tend not to last. Some do – cannot deny that. However, I feel confident you have that guy in the office who doesn’t pull his weight, and has not for years. Why is he still there?
Do you have access to some data to back up your assertion that half of us are ineffective? Can you provide a link? Can you cite a published study? If not, and I know you cannot, it sounds to me like you pulled a figure out of the air. Since this is the case it really ought to render everything you say to the trash heap.
At the end of it all, though, this is not about sifting out the dead wood. This is about the failure of the county to uphold a contract for which it is responsible and capable of fulfilling.
My advice, and I don’t teach forensics… 1) Stay on topic and 2) don’t make up statistics to reinforce your opinion.
You mean like Loyola Blakefield where they hire alumni fresh out of college with a degree in liberal arts over people with actual teaching experience and a degree to boot?
Bill- I think you may need to brush up on school yourself. Maybe you just didn’t like English class when you were a student and are harboring resentments. A bit of “real” education just for you from an inadequate public school teacher-
A lot= 2 words
And it’s thankful.
You also have word choice errors and run-on sentences.
Your grammar DOES seem to be right in line with your logic and your attitude though. Once a hater of teachers and schools- always a hater of teachers and schools….
1st: Please list the jobs that you know of where someone with a Masters degree is making less than 45k.
2nd: With an attitude like that, please send your kid to private school and see if you like it better. Drop 15k a year to then go to HCC. Smart move Buddy.
All Masters degrees are not equal so a comparison is not valid. A Masters in Ed, Reading, etc. has almost no value outside of the education field. However, a Masters in Math, Science, Engineering, or medical field are translatable.
Overall, most masters are overrated for their value relative to real world experience.
JJ, agreed. However, if someone is teaching my child to read, comprehend, etc., I would prefer the Masters of Ed. Likewise, in a technical class, it does seem to make sense to have the advanced degree in the applicable field…assuming they received all the teaching qualifications in undergrad.
Here is what I’ve learned from reading many of the comments here:
1) No one deserves a raise as long as somebody, somewhere, is unemployed.
2) As long as you have a job, you should be “thankful” which means a)you surrender your right to speak out on behalf of yourself and your profession, and b)you accept being bullied, harassed, and taken advantage of by your employer in exchange for a paycheck.
3) The management’s refusal to uphold a contract with employees is acceptable provided that it saves the consumers money.
4) Meeting but not exceeding the terms of a labor contract by the employees is the sign of a character flaw, and is indicactive of a poor employee.
5) The ineptitude of an individual professional is representative of the profession in its entirety.
6) If you find yourself unhappy with your work situation, your primary focus should be finding new employment, rather than attempting to adjust perceived inequities.
7) If you choose to work in a social services profession, you surrender your right to better your own life in exchange for bettering the lives of everyone else.
Well said Logic.
Logic,
I wish there was a way to bump your comment to the top and require that it be read before reading and or posting comments. These arguments have been perpetuated throughout numerous discussions on the Dagger this year. I’ve done more reading and less posting because I am tired of having the same argument over and over. Some of these hardheads will never get it, but maybe your post will make them think.
Logic’s post deserves a standing ovation for that relevant summary.
Thank you LOGIC! That is perfect logic- pun intended- and SHOULD be required reading for all! The greatest irony is that those very folks who will disagree with your points are the same ones who cry freedom, capitalism, deregulate, and deal with it.
Nice analysis. You must be a teacher! Or maybe yu just had some good ones.
I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico!
How dare you interject humor. This is a serious conversation full of facts, sound reason, courtesy, and grown ups talking about grown up serious stuff.
Hey teachers need to save money anyway we can. I discontinued my house alarm to save money in my budget. I will also be discontinuing spending my money on lab supplies if the school wont buy it than the lab will not get done!
I just lost a lot of money being faithful to HCPS. That is another thing that the BOE does not want the public to know. Until this year, new teachers have not lost any money upon hire. Therefore if you have taught in HCPS for 9 years, you are being paid for 6, but the teacher down the hall who got hired last year with 9 years of experience is being paid for 9 years. I would like to see you recruit good teachers and then ask them to take a 3-4 year pay cut. What does this meann for HCPS students?… They will get the teachers that nobody else wanted.
Oh but that’s okay because that’s what happens in the private sector also. LOL
I just read this about Wisconsin …. “At least 52 local school districts are saving an ****** average of $220 per student ******* [!! wow! can you believe this!!! this could be a pay raise for the teachers!!! ] because they can now shop around for health insurance for their employees. Before the reforms, unions forced the schools to do business exclusively with WEA Trust, the group run by the state’s largest teachers’ union.”
Does anyone know the name of the health insurance carrier for teachers in Maryland? Is it run by the MEA? and what laws would have to be changed to allow competition in the teacher health insurance so that they could move the savings to better support the teachers…. maybe give them back that 2% that they took a year ago when they required teachers to pay an additional 2% of their pay into their pensions.
What about the other 405 School Districts?
Teachers in HCPS have a choice between an HMO and a PPO both run by Carefirst of Maryland, who has no affiliation with the teachers union. I believe that the way a health care insurance company is chosen is through bidding for the contract.
Adding to HEMLOCK – The Boards plan is a self insured plan meaning the Board pays for usage of the plan. Carefirst only administers the plan which is a very small percentage (maybe 3%) of the overall cost of the plan. It is just like the county plan.
The best way for teacher’s and the system to lower costs is to use the plan more efficiently.
I don’t know about other places, but Harford County teachers are not sitting on fat benefit packages. We contribute to our health insurance costs, and our retirement pay basically is a few steps away from qualifying for food stamps.
More than 1,000 Harford County Educators from 30 Schools Participate in After School Walk-Out; Seek Improved School Funding
http://www.daggerpress.com/2012/06/07/more-than-1000-harford-county-educators-from-30-schools-participate-in-after-school-walk-out-seek-improved-school-funding/
@Paizley (which evidently is spelled incorrectly)
I find it truly disheartening that with all of the comments and serious frustrations that teachers (like myself) are expressing, the only opinion and comment you had to make was to point out my careless flaws of typing on an 8300 cell phone? No, I did not use proper punctuation or sentence structures….I can NOT AFFORD a new phone on my salary…and what I do after the school day is MY BUSINESS! I can guarantee it won’t be grading papers anymore! P.S. Does this post pass your English criteria?
Annette, maybe if you have so much respect for others you could try not being so judgemental, I’m sure who ever she is, she thought she was putting together a comfy cool outfit for the hot weather. Now it has become a distraction for small minded people.
I totally agree!!
Since education now is widely based on repeating a curriculum, I would venture to assume good teachers always come and go. There will always be people willing to fill your position.
Reading some of the comments I believe some of these educators have some sort of superiority complex. If it sucks that bad, you’re more than free to do what anyone else with or without a degree can do, and that is find another job.
Nice name. You give yourself too much credit, but the last part is on target.