APS and new healthcare provider

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel badly for one teacher who spoke last night who had some real medical issues that she was dealing with. I hope that Kaiser would work with her to a destinations before the switch.

That said, we have all had to change providers at some point, and I don’t appreciate that some outspoken individuals are complaining to the parents about this. Health insurance issues suck. I get that. However, what they are facing isn’t that uncommon and the hyper Bolic statements about needing sick days just to find doctors makes them look out of touch with reality. I think it’s certain Facebook page draws people to complain about everything and I think it’s actually done more harm to the system and good.

This made me laugh. Young staff I work with get 15 days of PTO plus 8 holidays per year. 23 days of leave for the whole year - this is supposed to cover sick days, vacations, kid's days off from school... whatever. And their health insurance changes companies every few years, too. From the APS leave policy document, it appears that new teachers get at least 14 days of paid leave, another 10 sick days, 5 days at Thanksgiving, 10 at Christmas, and 5 in the spring. I recognize that the pay is commensurate with this much leave, but honestly, to claim that you need more time off to get new doctors is making you sound completely unhinged and really hurting any goodwill that parents would be willing to share with you.

I don’t disagree with your broader point, but where did you get 5 days at Thanksgiving? That is laughable. We have an APS teacher in our family, and I can tell you that they get Thanksgiving, plus 1 day before and 1 afterward.

With the weekend it’s 5 days

OK…. But the weekend isn’t leave.

Omg. Teachers get the weekends off? So lazy.

Didn’t all of the APS teacher bullies leave for private? Why are they still trying to abuse teachers?

I don’t think anyone is bullying teachers. I think they feel teachers are whining about an insurance change. The problem is awareness. The issues APS teachers currently have with central office are so much deeper than that. And no… it does not make it any better that some teachers in this country have it worse.

Yes, go back and re-read. Parents are irrationally complaining that teachers have summers off, etc.

It’s reasonable for teachers to be upset if they have to find all new doctors for their families with little time for transition.

I have BCBS myself and have been scheduling appts for my own family (not even switching doctors) and the next appts for some aren’t until January. This isn’t a trivial problem.

Leave teachers alone FFS. APS parents have already done enough damage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel badly for one teacher who spoke last night who had some real medical issues that she was dealing with. I hope that Kaiser would work with her to a destinations before the switch.

That said, we have all had to change providers at some point, and I don’t appreciate that some outspoken individuals are complaining to the parents about this. Health insurance issues suck. I get that. However, what they are facing isn’t that uncommon and the hyper Bolic statements about needing sick days just to find doctors makes them look out of touch with reality. I think it’s certain Facebook page draws people to complain about everything and I think it’s actually done more harm to the system and good.

This made me laugh. Young staff I work with get 15 days of PTO plus 8 holidays per year. 23 days of leave for the whole year - this is supposed to cover sick days, vacations, kid's days off from school... whatever. And their health insurance changes companies every few years, too. From the APS leave policy document, it appears that new teachers get at least 14 days of paid leave, another 10 sick days, 5 days at Thanksgiving, 10 at Christmas, and 5 in the spring. I recognize that the pay is commensurate with this much leave, but honestly, to claim that you need more time off to get new doctors is making you sound completely unhinged and really hurting any goodwill that parents would be willing to share with you.

I don’t disagree with your broader point, but where did you get 5 days at Thanksgiving? That is laughable. We have an APS teacher in our family, and I can tell you that they get Thanksgiving, plus 1 day before and 1 afterward.

With the weekend it’s 5 days

OK…. But the weekend isn’t leave.

Omg. Teachers get the weekends off? So lazy.

Didn’t all of the APS teacher bullies leave for private? Why are they still trying to abuse teachers?

I don’t think anyone is bullying teachers. I think they feel teachers are whining about an insurance change. The problem is awareness. The issues APS teachers currently have with central office are so much deeper than that. And no… it does not make it any better that some teachers in this country have it worse.

Yes, go back and re-read. Parents are irrationally complaining that teachers have summers off, etc.

It’s reasonable for teachers to be upset if they have to find all new doctors for their families with little time for transition.

I have BCBS myself and have been scheduling appts for my own family (not even switching doctors) and the next appts for some aren’t until January. This isn’t a trivial problem.

Leave teachers alone FFS. APS parents have already done enough damage.

I empathize with our teachers. I think this admin is doing everything it can to erode the morale and pride of APS teachers. Changing insurance when you like the coverage you have sucks, especially if you're forced to a plan with worse coverage. I don't know that going to BCBS is worse coverage - it all depends on the existing and the potential BCBS plans. Nevertheless, I've never known anybody else going through an insurance change to seek the advocacy of others outside their office/colleagues. It's not like every non-teacher's life is just swimming along without a care and they have time to rally around the teachers' flag every time something happens they don't like. Everybody has crappy management/bosses at times; everybody deals with coworkers dragging them down; everybody deals with less than ideal benefits and health insurance coverage changes and increasing costs; etc.

Support them with letters and statements requesting general respect and professional treatment? OK. Join their fight re what insurance plan they have or how long they have to switch doctors? No. That's for AEA and the workforce for work out. PP says "Leave teachers alone...." You got it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the person who keeps talking about my summer off… I wish you could be a fly on the wall for this past month. Do you have any idea how many additional hours we put in? I have worked every evening and weekend for the past month. I fell asleep at 7 last night because I’m so exhausted. I have more education than all of my Arlington neighbors who work from home, take long walks all day, make more than me, and then all tell me how “lucky” I am every summer. It is a choice I made, but it is not cushy. Have some respect. Or hey, join us… we can’t find enough people to do it, cushy gig that it is. Come and join the team.

The insurance thing does not affect me, but I can tell you that teachers in APS are quite rightfully upset. Duran gave all the central office staff an extra three weeks of vacation, and things are not getting done. There are basic things we need, many people that are supposed to support us, and our jobs have become much harder. Huge classes. No funding for field trips. No subs. Difficulty renewing licenses and getting supplies. All as this occurs, an expanding central office.

Now, you have teachers that will have to pay more for insurance. (Don’t just look at rates, look at the deductibles.). It’s like the straw that broke the camel’s back.

This part I support you on. It is directly impacting not just teachers, but the students and APS' reputation as well. This is something we all can get behind.

Still, many teachers keep explaining how they don't really have all their summer off and are working far more hours than the school day when kids are in school. Well, yes! And thank you - because that's part of being a teacher, and definitely part of being a good teacher. And whether you spend some of that vacation time working, unless you've taken a summer job, it's doubtful you're volunteering work hours 40 hours a week while other professions are working 40+ hours a week year round. MAYBE they make more than some teachers. You can play the martyr as much as you want; you are not the only ones who face these employment challenges.

Duran is running this system into the ground. His departments aren't doing their jobs; some departments' jobs are even dubious; the departments are not coordinating or collaborating. APS is an absolute mess. I don't know how the SB can't see that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northern VA Pediatrics is accepting new patients and they take BCBS. Not far from 7 corners, just across the line in falls church. And they are WAY better than Kaiser.

Get a grip people.

My kids go there. They were only taking newborns not that long ago. Based on how far out I have to schedule well appointments they are very full.

The website says taking newborn patients AND taking new patients. My kids go there and we got an appointment for next month. I’m sure if you call sometime soon, they’d be able to see you in January. (And aren’t APS employees actually covered till March??)

Unnecessary drama.

[Anonymous]

How should APS forced Kaiser to bid? Sent Duran down to the headquarters with a gun and forced them to sign?

APS teachers have valid grievances, this isn’t one of them. Continuing to whine diminishes their valid problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northern VA Pediatrics is accepting new patients and they take BCBS. Not far from 7 corners, just across the line in falls church. And they are WAY better than Kaiser.

Get a grip people.

My kids go there. They were only taking newborns not that long ago. Based on how far out I have to schedule well appointments they are very full.

The website says taking newborn patients AND taking new patients. My kids go there and we got an appointment for next month. I’m sure if you call sometime soon, they’d be able to see you in January. (And aren’t APS employees actually covered till March??)

Unnecessary drama.

The coverage until March is only for certain conditions. Everyone else is January 1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northern VA Pediatrics is accepting new patients and they take BCBS. Not far from 7 corners, just across the line in falls church. And they are WAY better than Kaiser.

Get a grip people.

My kids go there. They were only taking newborns not that long ago. Based on how far out I have to schedule well appointments they are very full.

The website says taking newborn patients AND taking new patients. My kids go there and we got an appointment for next month. I’m sure if you call sometime soon, they’d be able to see you in January. (And aren’t APS employees actually covered till March??)

Unnecessary drama.

Right. But they weren’t taking new patients not that long ago - when I was referring a friend.

We couldn’t get in for a well visit until January. But we were trying to see our regular pediatrician vs first available. And after school. I guess teachers will have more options if they take the full day off for AM appts for their kids.

Regardless, APS teachers should start researching doctors and making appts soon.

I think BCBS will be better in the long run but it’s ok to acknowledge that the transition is a huge PITA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the person who keeps talking about my summer off… I wish you could be a fly on the wall for this past month. Do you have any idea how many additional hours we put in? I have worked every evening and weekend for the past month. I fell asleep at 7 last night because I’m so exhausted. I have more education than all of my Arlington neighbors who work from home, take long walks all day, make more than me, and then all tell me how “lucky” I am every summer. It is a choice I made, but it is not cushy. Have some respect. Or hey, join us… we can’t find enough people to do it, cushy gig that it is. Come and join the team.

The insurance thing does not affect me, but I can tell you that teachers in APS are quite rightfully upset. Duran gave all the central office staff an extra three weeks of vacation, and things are not getting done. There are basic things we need, many people that are supposed to support us, and our jobs have become much harder. Huge classes. No funding for field trips. No subs. Difficulty renewing licenses and getting supplies. All as this occurs, an expanding central office.

Now, you have teachers that will have to pay more for insurance. (Don’t just look at rates, look at the deductibles.). It’s like the straw that broke the camel’s back.

This part I support you on. It is directly impacting not just teachers, but the students and APS' reputation as well. This is something we all can get behind.

Still, many teachers keep explaining how they don't really have all their summer off and are working far more hours than the school day when kids are in school. Well, yes! And thank you - because that's part of being a teacher, and definitely part of being a good teacher. And whether you spend some of that vacation time working, unless you've taken a summer job, it's doubtful you're volunteering work hours 40 hours a week while other professions are working 40+ hours a week year round. MAYBE they make more than some teachers. You can play the martyr as much as you want; you are not the only ones who face these employment challenges.

Duran is running this system into the ground. His departments aren't doing their jobs; some departments' jobs are even dubious; the departments are not coordinating or collaborating. APS is an absolute mess. I don't know how the SB can't see that.

Speaking of bullies…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all are terrible. This is a huge change and teachers should’ve been given more of a heads up. They’ve put up with a ton in the last couple of years and morale is terrible already.

APS has known since July. There’s no excuse why they weren’t told sooner.

Is there a reason APS couldn't have said in the spring that Kaiser didn't put in a bid so they will not be an option in 2024? They may not have known who they'd use yet, but they'd have known that Kaiser wasn't in the running.

Yes, there were not allowed to disclose that per VA law.

This.

I can understand APS teachers being bummed. But the continuing complaining and anger toward APS when you have been given facts about how this works and why this happened is messed up. If Duran tells you all Kaiser didn't bid, that completely invalidates the procurement process. Other vendors would then have information that would affect their bids. APS CAN'T TELL YOU! Think through what it means to be part of public service and civics class and competitive bidding and why this all works the way it works. I get it you don't like the outcome. But this is necessary.

Some teachers naivite about how anything in the real world works is actually shocking to me. Total lack of common sense. It's embarrassing for you and your profession.

As a teacher in FCPS, I agree with you. The angst and complaining we have had in FCPS in changing from BCBS to Cigna this yearhas been ridiculous. All of my providers have been in Cigna and I have had no issues. We have great insurance and it is relatively inexpensive compared to the corporate world.

Ah, you have more sympathy from me than the APS teachers. Going from BCBS to Cigna is likely a more overall loss than going from Kaiser to BCBS.

I think this is the part that I don’t get. BCBS is such a huge upgrade. They should be celebrating.

Also, my family has had a new insurance plan pretty much every single year or every other year for the last 10 years. It’s what healthcare is now, unfortunately.

The issue is that there is very little time for Kaiser families to find all new doctors across the board. Pediatrician, PCP, ob/gyn, etc.

It’s a shame the transition can’t happen in the early summer instead of right in the middle of the school year.

How much time do you need? It’s only September!

And these are the people who are supposed to be teaching our kids problem-solving skills.

Pediatricians and PCPs are especially tough right now. Many aren’t taking new patients.

I'm not an APS employee but I wanted a new primary care doctor so I called one the VHC locations a couple days ago and got an appointment on Oct. 9 (because it's a holiday for me, too), so I don't think all the offices are booked up yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northern VA Pediatrics is accepting new patients and they take BCBS. Not far from 7 corners, just across the line in falls church. And they are WAY better than Kaiser.

Get a grip people.

My kids go there. They were only taking newborns not that long ago. Based on how far out I have to schedule well appointments they are very full.

The website says taking newborn patients AND taking new patients. My kids go there and we got an appointment for next month. I’m sure if you call sometime soon, they’d be able to see you in January. (And aren’t APS employees actually covered till March??)

Unnecessary drama.

Right. But they weren’t taking new patients not that long ago - when I was referring a friend.

We couldn’t get in for a well visit until January. But we were trying to see our regular pediatrician vs first available. And after school. I guess teachers will have more options if they take the full day off for AM appts for their kids.

Regardless, APS teachers should start researching doctors and making appts soon.

I think BCBS will be better in the long run but it’s ok to acknowledge that the transition is a huge PITA.

The same advice you’d give a football player during football season: Your paper’s due in a month. You’ll be just fine if you get started now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the person who keeps talking about my summer off… I wish you could be a fly on the wall for this past month. Do you have any idea how many additional hours we put in? I have worked every evening and weekend for the past month. I fell asleep at 7 last night because I’m so exhausted. I have more education than all of my Arlington neighbors who work from home, take long walks all day, make more than me, and then all tell me how “lucky” I am every summer. It is a choice I made, but it is not cushy. Have some respect. Or hey, join us… we can’t find enough people to do it, cushy gig that it is. Come and join the team.

The insurance thing does not affect me, but I can tell you that teachers in APS are quite rightfully upset. Duran gave all the central office staff an extra three weeks of vacation, and things are not getting done. There are basic things we need, many people that are supposed to support us, and our jobs have become much harder. Huge classes. No funding for field trips. No subs. Difficulty renewing licenses and getting supplies. All as this occurs, an expanding central office.

Now, you have teachers that will have to pay more for insurance. (Don’t just look at rates, look at the deductibles.). It’s like the straw that broke the camel’s back.

This part I support you on. It is directly impacting not just teachers, but the students and APS' reputation as well. This is something we all can get behind.

Still, many teachers keep explaining how they don't really have all their summer off and are working far more hours than the school day when kids are in school. Well, yes! And thank you - because that's part of being a teacher, and definitely part of being a good teacher. And whether you spend some of that vacation time working, unless you've taken a summer job, it's doubtful you're volunteering work hours 40 hours a week while other professions are working 40+ hours a week year round. MAYBE they make more than some teachers. You can play the martyr as much as you want; you are not the only ones who face these employment challenges.

Duran is running this system into the ground. His departments aren't doing their jobs; some departments' jobs are even dubious; the departments are not coordinating or collaborating. APS is an absolute mess. I don't know how the SB can't see that.

Speaking of bullies…

Disagreement = bullying. Got it.
Having limited empathy for things everybody else deals with = bullying. Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the person who keeps talking about my summer off… I wish you could be a fly on the wall for this past month. Do you have any idea how many additional hours we put in? I have worked every evening and weekend for the past month. I fell asleep at 7 last night because I’m so exhausted. I have more education than all of my Arlington neighbors who work from home, take long walks all day, make more than me, and then all tell me how “lucky” I am every summer. It is a choice I made, but it is not cushy. Have some respect. Or hey, join us… we can’t find enough people to do it, cushy gig that it is. Come and join the team.

The insurance thing does not affect me, but I can tell you that teachers in APS are quite rightfully upset. Duran gave all the central office staff an extra three weeks of vacation, and things are not getting done. There are basic things we need, many people that are supposed to support us, and our jobs have become much harder. Huge classes. No funding for field trips. No subs. Difficulty renewing licenses and getting supplies. All as this occurs, an expanding central office.

Now, you have teachers that will have to pay more for insurance. (Don’t just look at rates, look at the deductibles.). It’s like the straw that broke the camel’s back.

This part I support you on. It is directly impacting not just teachers, but the students and APS' reputation as well. This is something we all can get behind.

Still, many teachers keep explaining how they don't really have all their summer off and are working far more hours than the school day when kids are in school. Well, yes! And thank you - because that's part of being a teacher, and definitely part of being a good teacher. And whether you spend some of that vacation time working, unless you've taken a summer job, it's doubtful you're volunteering work hours 40 hours a week while other professions are working 40+ hours a week year round. MAYBE they make more than some teachers. You can play the martyr as much as you want; you are not the only ones who face these employment challenges.

Duran is running this system into the ground. His departments aren't doing their jobs; some departments' jobs are even dubious; the departments are not coordinating or collaborating. APS is an absolute mess. I don't know how the SB can't see that.

The last sentence is spot on. Central office is a mess. They just add people and each new initiative just adds more to teachers’ plates. They keep making one mistake after another and the burden is placed on school staff. I am an experienced teacher in a hard to staff position. If I wanted to leave now I could get a job anywhere. I won’t because I don’t want to do that to my students and my principal, who I respect. But I made my decision. This is my last year in APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all are terrible. This is a huge change and teachers should’ve been given more of a heads up. They’ve put up with a ton in the last couple of years and morale is terrible already.

APS has known since July. There’s no excuse why they weren’t told sooner.

Is there a reason APS couldn't have said in the spring that Kaiser didn't put in a bid so they will not be an option in 2024? They may not have known who they'd use yet, but they'd have known that Kaiser wasn't in the running.

Yes, there were not allowed to disclose that per VA law.

This.

I can understand APS teachers being bummed. But the continuing complaining and anger toward APS when you have been given facts about how this works and why this happened is messed up. If Duran tells you all Kaiser didn't bid, that completely invalidates the procurement process. Other vendors would then have information that would affect their bids. APS CAN'T TELL YOU! Think through what it means to be part of public service and civics class and competitive bidding and why this all works the way it works. I get it you don't like the outcome. But this is necessary.

Some teachers naivite about how anything in the real world works is actually shocking to me. Total lack of common sense. It's embarrassing for you and your profession.

As a teacher in FCPS, I agree with you. The angst and complaining we have had in FCPS in changing from BCBS to Cigna this yearhas been ridiculous. All of my providers have been in Cigna and I have had no issues. We have great insurance and it is relatively inexpensive compared to the corporate world.

Ah, you have more sympathy from me than the APS teachers. Going from BCBS to Cigna is likely a more overall loss than going from Kaiser to BCBS.

I think this is the part that I don’t get. BCBS is such a huge upgrade. They should be celebrating.

Also, my family has had a new insurance plan pretty much every single year or every other year for the last 10 years. It’s what healthcare is now, unfortunately.

The issue is that there is very little time for Kaiser families to find all new doctors across the board. Pediatrician, PCP, ob/gyn, etc.

It’s a shame the transition can’t happen in the early summer instead of right in the middle of the school year.

Do you have to find all your doctors right away? I get the pediatrician in case of emergency, but can’t others wait until it’s time for your yearly appointments? I need some new specialists this year and I just called when I needed them - and got in relatively quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all are terrible. This is a huge change and teachers should’ve been given more of a heads up. They’ve put up with a ton in the last couple of years and morale is terrible already.

APS has known since July. There’s no excuse why they weren’t told sooner.

Is there a reason APS couldn't have said in the spring that Kaiser didn't put in a bid so they will not be an option in 2024? They may not have known who they'd use yet, but they'd have known that Kaiser wasn't in the running.

Yes, there were not allowed to disclose that per VA law.

This.

I can understand APS teachers being bummed. But the continuing complaining and anger toward APS when you have been given facts about how this works and why this happened is messed up. If Duran tells you all Kaiser didn't bid, that completely invalidates the procurement process. Other vendors would then have information that would affect their bids. APS CAN'T TELL YOU! Think through what it means to be part of public service and civics class and competitive bidding and why this all works the way it works. I get it you don't like the outcome. But this is necessary.

Some teachers naivite about how anything in the real world works is actually shocking to me. Total lack of common sense. It's embarrassing for you and your profession.

As a teacher in FCPS, I agree with you. The angst and complaining we have had in FCPS in changing from BCBS to Cigna this yearhas been ridiculous. All of my providers have been in Cigna and I have had no issues. We have great insurance and it is relatively inexpensive compared to the corporate world.

Ah, you have more sympathy from me than the APS teachers. Going from BCBS to Cigna is likely a more overall loss than going from Kaiser to BCBS.

I think this is the part that I don’t get. BCBS is such a huge upgrade. They should be celebrating.

Also, my family has had a new insurance plan pretty much every single year or every other year for the last 10 years. It’s what healthcare is now, unfortunately.

The issue is that there is very little time for Kaiser families to find all new doctors across the board. Pediatrician, PCP, ob/gyn, etc.

It’s a shame the transition can’t happen in the early summer instead of right in the middle of the school year.

Do you have to find all your doctors right away? I get the pediatrician in case of emergency, but can’t others wait until it’s time for your yearly appointments? I need some new specialists this year and I just called when I needed them - and got in relatively quickly.

Depends on how long it takes to get into see doctors. I have to plan all of mine at least a few months out. I guess all of the doctors I happen to pick are in hot demand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the person who keeps talking about my summer off… I wish you could be a fly on the wall for this past month. Do you have any idea how many additional hours we put in? I have worked every evening and weekend for the past month. I fell asleep at 7 last night because I’m so exhausted. I have more education than all of my Arlington neighbors who work from home, take long walks all day, make more than me, and then all tell me how “lucky” I am every summer. It is a choice I made, but it is not cushy. Have some respect. Or hey, join us… we can’t find enough people to do it, cushy gig that it is. Come and join the team.

The insurance thing does not affect me, but I can tell you that teachers in APS are quite rightfully upset. Duran gave all the central office staff an extra three weeks of vacation, and things are not getting done. There are basic things we need, many people that are supposed to support us, and our jobs have become much harder. Huge classes. No funding for field trips. No subs. Difficulty renewing licenses and getting supplies. All as this occurs, an expanding central office.

Now, you have teachers that will have to pay more for insurance. (Don’t just look at rates, look at the deductibles.). It’s like the straw that broke the camel’s back.

This part I support you on. It is directly impacting not just teachers, but the students and APS' reputation as well. This is something we all can get behind.

Still, many teachers keep explaining how they don't really have all their summer off and are working far more hours than the school day when kids are in school. Well, yes! And thank you - because that's part of being a teacher, and definitely part of being a good teacher. And whether you spend some of that vacation time working, unless you've taken a summer job, it's doubtful you're volunteering work hours 40 hours a week while other professions are working 40+ hours a week year round. MAYBE they make more than some teachers. You can play the martyr as much as you want; you are not the only ones who face these employment challenges.

Duran is running this system into the ground. His departments aren't doing their jobs; some departments' jobs are even dubious; the departments are not coordinating or collaborating. APS is an absolute mess. I don't know how the SB can't see that.

Speaking of bullies…

Disagreement = bullying. Got it.
Having limited empathy for things everybody else deals with = bullying. Got it.

Being a dick about it makes you a bully.