The Chicago school system has a deficit of $700 million

[Anonymous]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-11/obama-caught-between-schools-reform-striking-teachers.html

Yet these teachers are mad at their already generous salaries.

[Anonymous]

A reporter in Chicago was on NPR this morning. She said that the teachers were upset about the working conditions and not the money. They would readily accept the 16% increase in salary over four years. The school environment, lack of resources, terrible buildings, additional hours, etc. that haunts the teachers regarding the new contract conditions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A reporter in Chicago was on NPR this morning. She said that the teachers were upset about the working conditions and not the money. They would readily accept the 16% increase in salary over four years. The school environment, lack of resources, terrible buildings, additional hours, etc. that haunts the teachers regarding the new contract conditions.

Well, she's skipping the two issues that I think are really it: tying compensation to test scores, and giving principals the ability to hire without being forced to choose teachers who are displaced when schools are closed.

But the larger point is right, that the strike is not over the pay rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A reporter in Chicago was on NPR this morning. She said that the teachers were upset about the working conditions and not the money. They would readily accept the 16% increase in salary over four years. The school environment, lack of resources, terrible buildings, additional hours, etc. that haunts the teachers regarding the new contract conditions.

Or, they could accept a pay freeze like other federal gov't employees and request that the resulting money go toward improving their resources and schools.

[Anonymous]

Who in the world is Mayor there that would allow that to happen, oh wait, the same guy that let it happen in the White House when he worked there.

[Anonymous]

Why they shouldnt get any more money. This is from the article. they aren't "suffering":

"Cusick, whose school is a block from the University of Chicago Lab Schools, where Emanuel’s children attend, volunteered and donated to Obama’s prior campaigns, though doesn’t plan to this year. A similar loss of support may hurt Obama in other states with many union members, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Minnesota, he said.
“I sent $2,300 last time, which is a lot of money for a public school teacher, but I believed,” Cusick said. “And on many levels I’m glad. At the same time I haven’t sent a dime this time. And I know that’s true for some of my friends and colleagues.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A reporter in Chicago was on NPR this morning. She said that the teachers were upset about the working conditions and not the money. They would readily accept the 16% increase in salary over four years. The school environment, lack of resources, terrible buildings, additional hours, etc. that haunts the teachers regarding the new contract conditions.

Or, they could accept a pay freeze like other federal gov't employees and request that the resulting money go toward improving their resources and schools.

Oh, federal govt employees: sheltered employment

[Anonymous]

Are you fucking kidding me!!? In this economy they are striking in a "for life" job because of "working conditions"? This isn't Google you lazy asses. Remove the wall of union shielding that keeps them employeed forever and then we'll talk about having Wolfgang Puck in the break room. Losers.

[Anonymous]

You do understand that a deficit is caused when the funds allocated do not cover expenses, right? So why is the logical response to a deficit to increase class size, rather than allocate more money to schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You do understand that a deficit is caused when the funds allocated do not cover expenses, right? So why is the logical response to a deficit to increase class size, rather than allocate more money to schools?

Why are the schools spending more? I bet there are a lot of wasted materials, a lot of overtime for staff, crappy bus drivers that crash buses, etc etc that add to the cost. You can't throw money at the problems to make them go away, you need to fix the problem.

I think a guy from Chicago said something about going through every line of the budget-maybe they should do that in chicago and find out where they are wasting money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You do understand that a deficit is caused when the funds allocated do not cover expenses, right? So why is the logical response to a deficit to increase class size, rather than allocate more money to schools?

Why are the schools spending more? I bet there are a lot of wasted materials, a lot of overtime for staff, crappy bus drivers that crash buses, etc etc that add to the cost. You can't throw money at the problems to make them go away, you need to fix the problem.

I think a guy from Chicago said something about going through every line of the budget-maybe they should do that in chicago and find out where they are wasting money.

Really? You can say "why are there spending more" without even knowing what they spend per student, and where the money goes. For all you know, it's "less".

[Anonymous]

What do you get for overpaid teachers with ridiculous salaries and benefit packages? Well, it's easy. There's no money left after it gets wasted on the ridiculous benefits packages, so when the building is all jacked, GET USED TO IT AND LIKE IT! It is BECAUSE the money was wasted on YOU. And I got news. Most teachers in this country SUCK! Bottom line: Incompetent, overpaid teachers suck the school systems dry, and that's why we're in 25th place or so behind the other countries that actually have good education systems. Until the NEA and teachers unions are completely dissolved, EXPECT bankrupt school systems and bad test scores amongst our kids. Yes, I know, sometimes the truth hurts. :o(

[Anonymous]

Let me tell you a little bit about CPS. Like I mentioned on another thread, the average salary is $76k + benefits. The crossing guards, who work shorter stints than DC crossing guards at around 3 hours a day, make $18k for the school year. Pretty snazzy.

Their wages have not been frozen, they are getting wages with no money to pay for them, they are basically "tenured" it is a protected position. In order to be fired, one must fail to improve through 2-three month long review processes. Cheating the system is quite easy, and most if they are unable to avoid impending termination, quit so they may get a job in another school district. The repercussions for poor performance are virtually nonexistent. Much of the teachers grading is based off of self-evaluations. It's a joke.

Chicago has 22k public employees, yet the crime is awful, the schools are horrible, recycling is picked up once every 2 weeks, and many of the streets suck. Yet don't try to operate an illegal valet service or park your food truck within 100 ft. of a restaurant, you will get shut down right away!

[Anonymous]

Are there really people on this forum who think a salary of 76K for a teacher is a lot??

Crossing guards will have to be paid. I admit that and everyone else does.

But 18K as an annual salary? Nobody lives on that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me tell you a little bit about CPS. Like I mentioned on another thread, the average salary is $76k + benefits. The crossing guards, who work shorter stints than DC crossing guards at around 3 hours a day, make $18k for the school year. Pretty snazzy.

Their wages have not been frozen, they are getting wages with no money to pay for them, they are basically "tenured" it is a protected position. In order to be fired, one must fail to improve through 2-three month long review processes. Cheating the system is quite easy, and most if they are unable to avoid impending termination, quit so they may get a job in another school district. The repercussions for poor performance are virtually nonexistent. Much of the teachers grading is based off of self-evaluations. It's a joke.

Chicago has 22k public employees, yet the crime is awful, the schools are horrible, recycling is picked up once every 2 weeks, and many of the streets suck. Yet don't try to operate an illegal valet service or park your food truck within 100 ft. of a restaurant, you will get shut down right away!

If its so snazzy then you would be doing it.