Teachers—Anyone switch from ACPS to FCPS?

[Anonymous]

Pp—they’ve not they’re

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here—-I should have known my inquiry would be forgotten as random people insert info to support various unrelated agendas.

I am considering a move from Alexandria City Public Schools to FCPS. The only folks I want to hear from are folks who have first-hand anecdotes because they’re already done what I’m considering.

OP you can hit the report button on the posts that are trolling, arguing about a different topic and derailing your question.

The moderator will remove the posts

[Anonymous]

Hey OP, good luck trying to keep everyone on topic. I think you’ll find it’s easier to keep elementary school kids in line than it is this motley crew of DCUMers. As an ACPS parent at one of the well-regarded elementary schools, I’m wondering why you’re thinking of this move. Would you be willing to share?

[Anonymous]

OP, hoping that this is helpful:

The ACPS teacher scales are higher than the FCPS teacher scales. However, in ACPS, obtaining steps above the mid-point can be difficult, and steps above mid-point had been held-back and performance-based (meaning highly subjective) under the last administration. In addition, ACPS does NOT fully fund the employee-side VRS contribution for post-2011 hires. This might not mean that much to you, but pls do consider. Good luck --

[Anonymous]

Another ACPS teacher here. For others who aren't ACPS, there is a lot of attraction for us to your school systems. What we hear is that it is less "crazy" and more stable elsewhere. In addition to what the PP says about the contributions, and even though the pay is technically less, many of us get a bump if we jump because of so many years of no steps or half-steps at ACPS. I've also heard that we pay a much greater percentage and cost of medical at ACPS than other systems.

[Anonymous]

ACPS employee premium costs are shown on this chart (24 pays): https://www.acps.k12.va.us/cms/lib/VA01918616/Centricity/Domain/804/benefits/open-enrollment/active-rates-fy2019.pdf
FCPS employee premium costs are shown on the chart (10 pays): https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/2018%20Employee%20Premiums_0.pdf

Based on the charts, an ACPS teacher pays $150.80 each pay for a family using Kaiser Permanente. That's $3,619/year. A FCPS teacher pays $464.75 each pay for KP family plan. That's $4,647/year. For an individual it looks like the teacher working for FCPS pays a little bit less each year.

ACPS retiree healthcare is slightly less than FCPS:
https://www.acps.k12.va.us/cms/lib/VA01918616/Centricity/Domain/804/Retirees/retiree-rates-jan-1-2018.pdf

https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/2018%20Retiree%20Premiums_0.pdf

As far as salary scales, the maximum amount of experience credited in ACPS is 12 years:
https://www.acps.k12.va.us/cms/lib/VA01918616/Centricity/Domain/804/compensation/salary-teacher-2018.pdf

The maximum amount of experience credited in FCPS is 15:
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/FY18-teacher-194-day.pdf

12 years with a MA in ACPS: $79,674
12 years with a MA in FCPS: $73,952

15 years with a MA in ACPS: $87,484
15 years with a MA in FCPS: $80,353

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It could be worth it depending on the school. I was so much happier and less stressed teaching in FCPS. I moved to APS, and it has been tough. Perhaps it’s just the school.

Any specifics? There does seem to be an awful lot of parental stress over boundaries and capacity in APS now, but does that really affect teachers?

A big part of any work environment is created by the supervisor. Perhaps the OP has a difficult principal. I hear ya, sister.

— APS teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It could be worth it depending on the school. I was so much happier and less stressed teaching in FCPS. I moved to APS, and it has been tough. Perhaps it’s just the school.

Any specifics? There does seem to be an awful lot of parental stress over boundaries and capacity in APS now, but does that really affect teachers?

A big part of any work environment is created by the supervisor. Perhaps the OP has a difficult principal. I hear ya, sister.

— APS teacher

Some teachers shouldn't be teachers and need to be managed out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It could be worth it depending on the school. I was so much happier and less stressed teaching in FCPS. I moved to APS, and it has been tough. Perhaps it’s just the school.

Any specifics? There does seem to be an awful lot of parental stress over boundaries and capacity in APS now, but does that really affect teachers?

A big part of any work environment is created by the supervisor. Perhaps the OP has a difficult principal. I hear ya, sister.

— APS teacher

Some teachers shouldn't be teachers and need to be managed out.

With today's hyper-intense focus that has pretty much happened. If there is someone still teaching who "shouldn't" be then it is because admin has made a choice to keep that person there because they know they can't fill the slot easily or with someone who might be better. The teacher shortage is real and it is affecting this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ACPS employee premium costs are shown on this chart (24 pays): https://www.acps.k12.va.us/cms/lib/VA01918616/Centricity/Domain/804/benefits/open-enrollment/active-rates-fy2019.pdf
FCPS employee premium costs are shown on the chart (10 pays): https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/2018%20Employee%20Premiums_0.pdf

Based on the charts, an ACPS teacher pays $150.80 each pay for a family using Kaiser Permanente. That's $3,619/year. A FCPS teacher pays $464.75 each pay for KP family plan. That's $4,647/year. For an individual it looks like the teacher working for FCPS pays a little bit less each year.

ACPS retiree healthcare is slightly less than FCPS:
https://www.acps.k12.va.us/cms/lib/VA01918616/Centricity/Domain/804/Retirees/retiree-rates-jan-1-2018.pdf

https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/2018%20Retiree%20Premiums_0.pdf

As far as salary scales, the maximum amount of experience credited in ACPS is 12 years:
https://www.acps.k12.va.us/cms/lib/VA01918616/Centricity/Domain/804/compensation/salary-teacher-2018.pdf

The maximum amount of experience credited in FCPS is 15:
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/FY18-teacher-194-day.pdf

12 years with a MA in ACPS: $79,674
12 years with a MA in FCPS: $73,952

15 years with a MA in ACPS: $87,484
15 years with a MA in FCPS: $80,353

Thanks, PP. I hadn't looked at the salary scales closely before. Because we got so far behind in steps I will actually make more if I move even though technically FCPS pays less. Interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It could be worth it depending on the school. I was so much happier and less stressed teaching in FCPS. I moved to APS, and it has been tough. Perhaps it’s just the school.

Any specifics? There does seem to be an awful lot of parental stress over boundaries and capacity in APS now, but does that really affect teachers?

A big part of any work environment is created by the supervisor. Perhaps the OP has a difficult principal. I hear ya, sister.

— APS teacher

Some teachers shouldn't be teachers and need to be managed out.

That definitely happens at our school. Core subjects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone do that? Do you have any clue about FCPS compensation, OP? FCPS teachers FLOCK to surrounding counties to get OUT of this bureaucratic nightmare and non-competitive pay scale wasteland that is FCPS.

Not OP but I’m seriously considering switching to FCPS to be on the same schedule as my children. It’s stressful finding care for snow days. Winter breaks don’t always match up either. We are a 2 income household and DH is not a teacher so my pay cut would t affect us that much. The stress of childcare affects us a lot.

Being in the same district is so helpful. I went back to work when my son started Kindergarten and decided to go in as an instructional assistant in APS (where we live.)The schedule aligns plus I get all workdays and conferences off. The best part is that I'm done by 3:30 and don't have tons of meetings or paperwork. I think I will continue on this path as long as we can afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone do that? Do you have any clue about FCPS compensation, OP? FCPS teachers FLOCK to surrounding counties to get OUT of this bureaucratic nightmare and non-competitive pay scale wasteland that is FCPS.

Not OP but I’m seriously considering switching to FCPS to be on the same schedule as my children. It’s stressful finding care for snow days. Winter breaks don’t always match up either. We are a 2 income household and DH is not a teacher so my pay cut would t affect us that much. The stress of childcare affects us a lot.

Being in the same district is so helpful. I went back to work when my son started Kindergarten and decided to go in as an instructional assistant in APS (where we live.)The schedule aligns plus I get all workdays and conferences off. The best part is that I'm done by 3:30 and don't have tons of meetings or paperwork. I think I will continue on this path as long as we can afford it.

How are the pay and benefits as an instructional assistant? Do you get a pension?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone do that? Do you have any clue about FCPS compensation, OP? FCPS teachers FLOCK to surrounding counties to get OUT of this bureaucratic nightmare and non-competitive pay scale wasteland that is FCPS.

The board just approved the FY19 budget on Thursday. I’m getting a $5K bump in my salary for next year. That and not having to deal with the dysfunction of ACPS makes me want to stay in FCPS.

If a 5k pay raise is that exciting you should checkout APS, also I think they also do some of your pension contribution for you

APS students get iPads in 2nd grade so you really don't have to teach anything at all.

Did the switch. The pay raise has been great! On the other hand, dealing with the behavior an transience at my APS school has been a huge stressor. The regular changes in vision for how we're supposed to teach and assess are even more erratic than in FCPS. However, with any county, a lot depends on the principal and the school population.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone do that? Do you have any clue about FCPS compensation, OP? FCPS teachers FLOCK to surrounding counties to get OUT of this bureaucratic nightmare and non-competitive pay scale wasteland that is FCPS.

Not OP but I’m seriously considering switching to FCPS to be on the same schedule as my children. It’s stressful finding care for snow days. Winter breaks don’t always match up either. We are a 2 income household and DH is not a teacher so my pay cut would t affect us that much. The stress of childcare affects us a lot.

Being in the same district is so helpful. I went back to work when my son started Kindergarten and decided to go in as an instructional assistant in APS (where we live.)The schedule aligns plus I get all workdays and conferences off. The best part is that I'm done by 3:30 and don't have tons of meetings or paperwork. I think I will continue on this path as long as we can afford it.

How are the pay and benefits as an instructional assistant? Do you get a pension?

https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/FY18-classroom-instructional-staff.pdf

https://www.acps.k12.va.us/cms/lib/VA01918616/Centricity/Domain/804/compensation/revised-support-staff-salary-scales-fy18.pdf

Yes.