MOCO parents - how much are we willing to put up with??

[Anonymous]

Will the new superintendents salary and benefits information open to the public? Does anyone know who the candidates are?

[Anonymous]

Will the new superintendents salary and benefits information open to the public?

Yes, that's all public info but you have got to dig around to find it. I think I read that he's making 240K with a boatload of benefits...car insurance, cell phone, huge retirement benefits, huge dental benefits including braces and such, etc. etc.

[Anonymous]

This seems a bit excessive but I do not believe we should save on top management. If this is the price, so be it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This seems a bit excessive but I do not believe we should save on top management. If this is the price, so be it.

Yeah .. cut them before they cut teachers and cut our kids education. Swine at the trough.

[Anonymous]

Pensions need to be switched to defined contribution. Health costs and defined Benefit retirement plans are going to bankrupt us (taxpayers) and/or this county. It's not the salaries. It's all the deferred expenses.

[Anonymous]

Why should the teachers be punished for Maryland's lack of fiscal responsibility? I can think of many more solutions to the MD budget problem that has nothing to do with education. How about making sure the millionaires actually pay their correct amount of taxes each year?

[Anonymous]

Pensions need to be switched to defined contribution. Health costs and defined Benefit retirement plans are going to bankrupt us (taxpayers) and/or this county. It's not the salaries. It's all the deferred expenses.

I agree with this. I don't think our troubles are caused by massive tax evasion (the illegal kind, that is) by millionaires. It's caused by ballooning benefit promises that are beginning to come due and which the reality is the state can't afford.

To OP's point, I think the increase in class sizes is terrible and if we can cut from management/head office, then great. I 100% agree that Weast likes to focus cuts on things that will make people upset so that everyone complains and they don't have to do anything at all to help chip in their share of what's needed in a tough budget time. I do think though that furloughs or even weeding of management/front office will not be enough and more is needed across the board to create a school system we can actually afford and that doesn't cram 30+ kids into a room.

[Anonymous]

benefit promises that are beginning to come due

Yes, so let's break our promises to teachers who take less salary in order to count on their retirements.

[Anonymous]

Promises will be broken across the board in the US. Entitlement reform will be a reality for all Americans. Teachers are not alone.

[Anonymous]

Three cheers to that. For a meritocracy, we seem to have an unhealthy embracing of entitlement.

Anonymous wrote:Promises will be broken across the board in the US. Entitlement reform will be a reality for all Americans. Teachers are not alone.

[Anonymous]

"The top-earning 20 percent of Americans – those making more than $100,000 each year – received 49.4 percent of all income generated in the U.S., compared with the 3.4 percent made by the bottom 20 percent of earners, those who fell below the poverty line, according to the new figures. That ratio of 14.5-to-1 was an increase from 13.6 in 2008 and nearly double a low of 7.69 in 1968.

At the top, the wealthiest 5 percent of Americans, who earn more than $180,000, added to their annual incomes last year, the data show. Families at the $50,000 median level slipped lower."

Entitlement? Keep sticking your head in the sand while those around you suffer.

[Anonymous]

"The poorest poor hit record highs. Twenty-eight states had significant increases in the share of people below $10,977 in income, half the poverty line for a family of four. The highest shares were in the District of Columbia.

The number of U.S. households receiving food stamps surged by 2 million last year to 11.7 million, the highest level on record, meaning that 1 in 10 families was receiving the government aid."

And more....shall we simply starve these 11.7 million people?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Promises will be broken across the board in the US. Entitlement reform will be a reality for all Americans. Teachers are not alone.

Then if you're relying on public institutions to educate your child good luck, pal.

b/c there will be few of us left to do so

I already know of three excellent teachers who are looking elsewhere - all b/c of public attitude and broken promises. Try living on $60K per year in Mo Co and being married to spouse who makes even less (both educators).

I hope you have money for private school tuition b/c you'll need it once the schools start going downhill b/c the system can't keep good teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Promises will be broken across the board in the US. Entitlement reform will be a reality for all Americans. Teachers are not alone.

Then if you're relying on public institutions to educate your child good luck, pal.

b/c there will be few of us left to do so

I already know of three excellent teachers who are looking elsewhere - all b/c of public attitude and broken promises. Try living on $60K per year in Mo Co and being married to spouse who makes even less (both educators).

I hope you have money for private school tuition b/c you'll need it once the schools start going downhill b/c the system can't keep good teachers.

Would love to have the vacation and benefits of a teacher in MoCo.

Grow up or move to France and take your complaints to Pres. Sarkozy b/c no one here is going to get too upset that teachers have to accept entitltement reform b/c it's the wave of the future, dear.

[Anonymous]

When I come across posters like you, I do say this: that I am more than willing to put up with the hours of planning and grading and am happy to work with poor and struggling students knowing that I've made a difference in their lives

But the best? knowing that I don't have to place my children in camps all summer long - that I can enjoy this time with them at the pool, at the park, in our own yard

So those are the benefits. Enjoy your 9-5, but do keep in mind that you and those like you will drive out the good ones.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Promises will be broken across the board in the US. Entitlement reform will be a reality for all Americans. Teachers are not alone.

Then if you're relying on public institutions to educate your child good luck, pal.

b/c there will be few of us left to do so

I already know of three excellent teachers who are looking elsewhere - all b/c of public attitude and broken promises. Try living on $60K per year in Mo Co and being married to spouse who makes even less (both educators).

I hope you have money for private school tuition b/c you'll need it once the schools start going downhill b/c the system can't keep good teachers.

Would love to have the vacation and benefits of a teacher in MoCo.

Grow up or move to France and take your complaints to Pres. Sarkozy b/c no one here is going to get too upset that teachers have to accept entitltement reform b/c it's the wave of the future, dear.