Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Justified raises":
In this economy, when most people are working more, taking paycuts and fear losing their jobs, it is ridiculous that the teachers union has turned down a raise.
Most residents do not have guaranteed health care for life and a pension. We have watched our 401k's plumet, house prices drop etc.....
Is it true the teachers have guaranteed rate of returns on their IRA's?
The PTA cannot take a position because they have to be nuetral. It is up to the parents and residents to let the teachers know that enough is enough.
Their protests are affecting the classroom. If your not happy with your job ,GO GET A NEW ONE! We pay enough in taxes.
I agree with all the comments about extra help at school. Why aren't we offered that? Why do we have to go out and pay $50 an hour and up to get a tutor for our kids when they are falling behind?
Has there been a survey to see how many school districts have the capability of emailing their teachers? If this district is so great why are we not able to send our teachers email? Other districts do! How about getting that on the contract? Don't we have computers in all classrooms? What's the hold up?
How much money did the union spend on the letter they mailed out? It is insulting. Teachers wearing black and pins on picture day. Are you kidding me? How do they expect to get our support doing that? If teachers are not willing to decorate the classrooms and hallways because it's not in their contract. How about asking for parent help. I am sure many parents would be willing to go in and help out. But no, we are not wanted in the halls. God forbid we see what is going on!
We should protest at the union office!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Enough is Enough!!!!!!!!!
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To correct some misinformation in the above letter:
ReplyDelete1- Teachers in the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District DO NOT have health care coverage paid for them once they resign or retire.
(Teachers in the New York City Public School System DO receive a continuation of their health care coverage once they retire.)
2- Teachers in the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District are free to invest their earnings in a 403b plan (a public version of the private 401k). They receive NO matching funds or contributions from their employer. There is NO guaranteed rate of return. Plainview teachers have also seen their investments plumet, house prices drop and property taxes rise.
Teachers in NY City also can opt to invest in a 403b plan, and one of their options does include a guaranteed fixed rate of return. The current rate for NY City teachers who chose this option of investment is a guaranteed 8.25%.
I hope this information helps clear up some misconceptions regarding the benefits received by teachers in Plainview, and also helps view these benefits in terms of the larger picture. While Plainview teachers do receive a nice benefit package, the package is not out of line with what is expected from others in their profession. Indeed it is much lower than many local school districts, including the New York City Public school system. Salaries and benefits of any employment sector is best viewed in relation to other within that profession, rather than compared to unrelated professions or employment sectors.
Please allow me to address some points:
ReplyDelete1. Teachers DO NOT have a guarantted rate of returns on their 403b accounts. They are privately invested by companies such as Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, etc. NYS Law provides for a guaranteed pension amount. Therefore, when economy is strong, teachers receive a set pension amount. When economy is weak, teachers receive a set pension amount. It's a formula calculated by NYS Teacher's Retirement system based upon Final Average Salary over a certain period and based upon what Tier (1,2,3,or 4) teachers joined system.
2. Teachers were DIRECTED not to decorate hallways by Fire Marshall. Last year decorations had to be removed from classroom doors, above doors, around doors, and in stairwells and many hallways. It was for the safety of children and staff and due to fire code.
3. Teachers do not have guaranteed health care for life. Currently, when teachers in POB retire, the district pays approximately 35 percent of family coverage. The teacher is responsible for paying the 65 percent.
"There is NO guaranteed rate of return. Plainview teachers have also seen their investments plumet, house prices drop and property taxes rise."
ReplyDelete--WOW!, just like the rest of the work force. oh my!
How is it you don't mention that your pension is a guaranteed number? The work force in my house, has NO pension guaranteed or otherwise or matching funds and we get no health care after we retire. What makes the teachers feel that they are so much more entitled? I am only a sour grapes individual who is kicking myself for not becoming a teacher and having a big union negotiate my raises, be home for my kids when they get home and are on vacation, and have a guaranteed job for as long as I wish to work. Boo hoo. The poor poor teachers, welcome to the new economy.
One post says teachers DO NOT have health care coverage paid when they resign or retire and the other post says they get 35% of family coverage when they retire.
ReplyDeleteWhich is it?
Also, there is plenty of stuff hanging inside the classrooms that was never taken down from last year. Is that OK with the fire marshall? The teachers are just not allowed to add to that with anything new from the kids this year?
It's odd that after all the fire inspections done over the years hallway decorations that were never a problem suddenly are a problem at the same time teachers don't have a contract.
If the teachers do not like the contracts being offered, they are free to seek employment elsewhere. It is disgusting that in this economy they should be demanding anything. There health insurance coverage, on top of the 2% raise is more than anyone is receiving these days.
ReplyDeleteMy spouse and I do not receive health coverage or a 401K. My spouse received a 30% decrease in salary and no bonus. If he went to his employer demanding a raise in this economy, he would be fired. These teachers should do like everyone one else if they want more money, get a second job. They only work 180 days out of the year, not to mention all the half days.
Please feel free to go work in Jericho or Syosset - see how fast they hire you.
I suggest you call the bldg principal at the elementary schools if you'd like independent confirmation that the Fire Marshall requested hallway (and some decorations) removed. Not saying all related to that, but some is. Check it out.
ReplyDeleteHealth insurance is not cancelled when you retire. District pays a percentage (approx 35 percent) of family.
Could you please check out elementary school calendar and advise me where 'all the half days' are located. I can only seem to locate 1- First day of school. NYS Law requires IEP's and 504's to be shared with staff that work with children. This is accompished that day. This is a half day for students, not staff. 2- Parent Teacher Conferences in Afternoon. These are halfs day for students not staff. 3- Last day of school. In the past there was 1 in November and 1 in February, but these have been condensed into 1 day on Election Day. This is SUPERINTENDENT'S conference day. Children have entire day off and staff report for entire day. Thank you.
while we're chatting about parent/teacher interactions, what happened to American Education Week?
ReplyDeletearen't parents supposed to find out in advance when they are invited in to their classroom since it's not on the calendar?
or is this contingent on the contract being settled also?
I received my invite to American Education Week last week. It was the standard invite for some time in November. At least that hasn't been taken away.
ReplyDelete