How is FCPS teacher/staff shortage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something that I think would be super simple to implement would be to allow former teachers to come back at the step they left at. Right now the max entry step is 13, so if you had status but had to take time off to raise children or care for parents or move for spouse’s job, you can’t come back above step 13. You also can’t rejoin the old retirement system you were on. Those two things would make returning to FCPS (over a different county or career) more appealing.

Could there be any incentive for retired staff to come back? I assume pension payments would have to be placed on hold?

Yeah, I doubt you’ll ever get retirees back. Our retirees who want to keep working go elsewhere to collect paycheck and pension.

+1000. I am an FCPS retiree, and have been subbing for five years. The money is good (since they recently gave us a raise). I was just offered a long term job for the entire first quarter of this school year. A special Ed teacher had just quit, and this particular high school was desperate to get a warm body in the classroom. I declined the offer, the reason being that the prospect of returning to the daily grind of lesson planning, managing kids, getting micromanaged by administrators, etc., was not an attractive option, especially at my age. Subbing a few days per week is the ticket, and is more than adequate to supplement my pension. From what I’ve been able to observe, FCPS is in crisis mode, and it will only get worse.

[Anonymous]

You either have poor observational skills or a skewed definition of a crisis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You either have poor observational skills or a skewed definition of a crisis.

^Says the armchair yawner.

FCPS drama and mismanagement is a soap opera job perk, until it hits you personally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You either have poor observational skills or a skewed definition of a crisis.

Here’s a multiple answer question for you:


Does the PP have:

A. poor observational skills
B. skewed definition of a crisis
C. None of the Above


Correct answer is: C


Now here is a True-False question for you:

The OP who posted the “poor observational skills…skewed definition of a crisis” comment is a pathetic, clueless troll.


Correct answer is: TRUE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You either have poor observational skills or a skewed definition of a crisis.

No they are dead on accurate. It will get worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something that I think would be super simple to implement would be to allow former teachers to come back at the step they left at. Right now the max entry step is 13, so if you had status but had to take time off to raise children or care for parents or move for spouse’s job, you can’t come back above step 13. You also can’t rejoin the old retirement system you were on. Those two things would make returning to FCPS (over a different county or career) more appealing.

Could there be any incentive for retired staff to come back? I assume pension payments would have to be placed on hold?

Yeah, I doubt you’ll ever get retirees back. Our retirees who want to keep working go elsewhere to collect paycheck and pension.

+1000. I am an FCPS retiree, and have been subbing for five years. The money is good (since they recently gave us a raise). I was just offered a long term job for the entire first quarter of this school year. A special Ed teacher had just quit, and this particular high school was desperate to get a warm body in the classroom. I declined the offer, the reason being that the prospect of returning to the daily grind of lesson planning, managing kids, getting micromanaged by administrators, etc., was not an attractive option, especially at my age. Subbing a few days per week is the ticket, and is more than adequate to supplement my pension. From what I’ve been able to observe, FCPS is in crisis mode, and it will only get worse.

DP
I’m entering my 30th year and I’m considering retiring at the end. It will be a few years early for ERFC (so it would be reduced) but full for VRS and subbing is one thing I’m considering. I have a few other options, but they would be more full time work. How many years had you taught before retiring?

If one could retire, take a break, and then return to a paycheck while still pulling their pension do you think people would do that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something that I think would be super simple to implement would be to allow former teachers to come back at the step they left at. Right now the max entry step is 13, so if you had status but had to take time off to raise children or care for parents or move for spouse’s job, you can’t come back above step 13. You also can’t rejoin the old retirement system you were on. Those two things would make returning to FCPS (over a different county or career) more appealing.

Retirement is not affected if you left the money in the account. I took a year off and then came back to same plan.

Up to 2 years for a LOA, yes. Beyond that, I was told you are rehired as a brand new employee and added to the new retirement system—which is not nearly as good. Is that not true? (Wouldn’t surprise me if HR says multiple things!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something that I think would be super simple to implement would be to allow former teachers to come back at the step they left at. Right now the max entry step is 13, so if you had status but had to take time off to raise children or care for parents or move for spouse’s job, you can’t come back above step 13. You also can’t rejoin the old retirement system you were on. Those two things would make returning to FCPS (over a different county or career) more appealing.

Retirement is not affected if you left the money in the account. I took a year off and then came back to same plan.

Up to 2 years for a LOA, yes. Beyond that, I was told you are rehired as a brand new employee and added to the new retirement system—which is not nearly as good. Is that not true? (Wouldn’t surprise me if HR says multiple things!)

HR in this county is not reliable...I feel like it's a constant who's on first skit. It's not helping the shortage. You want good solid people treat them with respect-don't play games. A lot of game playing in FCPS!

[Anonymous]

So much criticism here. Wonder what is the motivation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something that I think would be super simple to implement would be to allow former teachers to come back at the step they left at. Right now the max entry step is 13, so if you had status but had to take time off to raise children or care for parents or move for spouse’s job, you can’t come back above step 13. You also can’t rejoin the old retirement system you were on. Those two things would make returning to FCPS (over a different county or career) more appealing.

Retirement is not affected if you left the money in the account. I took a year off and then came back to same plan.

Up to 2 years for a LOA, yes. Beyond that, I was told you are rehired as a brand new employee and added to the new retirement system—which is not nearly as good. Is that not true? (Wouldn’t surprise me if HR says multiple things!)

Not true. FCPS has no control over your VRS if you are vested. If you leave it in the system and are vested you should stay in the same plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something that I think would be super simple to implement would be to allow former teachers to come back at the step they left at. Right now the max entry step is 13, so if you had status but had to take time off to raise children or care for parents or move for spouse’s job, you can’t come back above step 13. You also can’t rejoin the old retirement system you were on. Those two things would make returning to FCPS (over a different county or career) more appealing.

Could there be any incentive for retired staff to come back? I assume pension payments would have to be placed on hold?

Yeah, I doubt you’ll ever get retirees back. Our retirees who want to keep working go elsewhere to collect paycheck an





+1000. I am an FCPS retiree, and have been subbing for five years. The money is good (since they recently gave us a raise). I was just offered a long term job for the entire first quarter of this school year. A special Ed teacher had just quit, and this particular high school was desperate to get a warm body in the classroom. I declined the offer, the reason being that the prospect of returning to the daily grind of lesson planning, managing kids, getting micromanaged by administrators, etc., was not an attractive option, especially at my age. Subbing a few days per week is the ticket, and is more than adequate to supplement my pension. From what I’ve been able to observe, FCPS is in crisis mode, and it will only get worse.

DP
I’m entering my 30th year and I’m considering retiring at the end. It will be a few years early for ERFC (so it would be reduced) but full for VRS and subbing is one thing I’m considering. I have a few other options, but they would be more full time work. How many years had you taught before retiring?

If one could retire, take a break, and then return to a paycheck while still pulling their pension do you think people would do that?

I thought 30 years was full for both?

[Anonymous]

Seems like the majority of vacancies are instructional aides and special ed. Some science opening for lower rated HSs. A few kindergarten/elem teacher openings (more at the more challenging schools). But the bulk of the openings serm to be instructional aides. I'm grateful that my kid's school has only a couple of vacancies.

[Anonymous]

Aide pay is insultingly low, especially for sped aides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something that I think would be super simple to implement would be to allow former teachers to come back at the step they left at. Right now the max entry step is 13, so if you had status but had to take time off to raise children or care for parents or move for spouse’s job, you can’t come back above step 13. You also can’t rejoin the old retirement system you were on. Those two things would make returning to FCPS (over a different county or career) more appealing.

Could there be any incentive for retired staff to come back? I assume pension payments would have to be placed on hold?

Yeah, I doubt you’ll ever get retirees back. Our retirees who want to keep working go elsewhere to collect paycheck an





+1000. I am an FCPS retiree, and have been subbing for five years. The money is good (since they recently gave us a raise). I was just offered a long term job for the entire first quarter of this school year. A special Ed teacher had just quit, and this particular high school was desperate to get a warm body in the classroom. I declined the offer, the reason being that the prospect of returning to the daily grind of lesson planning, managing kids, getting micromanaged by administrators, etc., was not an attractive option, especially at my age. Subbing a few days per week is the ticket, and is more than adequate to supplement my pension. From what I’ve been able to observe, FCPS is in crisis mode, and it will only get worse.

DP
I’m entering my 30th year and I’m considering retiring at the end. It will be a few years early for ERFC (so it would be reduced) but full for VRS and subbing is one thing I’m considering. I have a few other options, but they would be more full time work. How many years had you taught before retiring?

If one could retire, take a break, and then return to a paycheck while still pulling their pension do you think people would do that?

I thought 30 years was full for both?

For ERFC you need to be at least age 55. Earlier than that it is reduced. So someone could have taught 30 years, would meet the old “rule of 80” for VRS (service plus age) and still be a few years short for ERFC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aide pay is insultingly low, especially for sped aides.

IAs and SPED IAs are on the same pay scale and start at $19.93/hour. No degree needed. No work to take home.