Fairfax public schools - pay freeze for teachers again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I get the feeling you are a troll, probably a supervisor from Fairfax,

No. Employed by a non-profit, and I have had a pay freeze for the past three years. I view it as it sure beats not having a job.

Anonymous wrote:
rather than providing anything meaningful to prove your point.

Already provided:
http://www.fcps.edu/fs/budget/wabe/2011.pdf

Anonymous wrote:
it doesn't make the pay freeze less difficult and cruel

A pay freeze is not fun. Been there, done that.

Anonymous wrote:
when FCPS is willing to pay millions for unnecessary programs and facilities.

Here we go again. Time to pit program against program, parent against parent, specialized teacher against specialized teacher. Must be readying for the FY2012 budget cycle (AKA "silly season"). So -- do you want to see band and strings cut? How about athletics? AP/IB exam fees are in place, so I am guessing that pleases you. Eliminate GT/AAP altogether a better plan? Or are you one of those that wants to close down TJ?

Anonymous wrote:
maybe you should go volunteer at some of the food banks the working poor of Fairfax County frequent.

Already do that, sweetie. I'm there once a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Your vs. you're=you are. The children are at play again."

I get the feeling you are a troll, probably a supervisor from Fairfax, trying to justify your callous choices by being petty and mean rather than providing anything meaningful to prove your point. I could care less about your insults, it doesn't make the pay freeze less difficult and cruel when FCPS is willing to pay millions for unnecessary programs and facilities. Rather than nitpick grammar and spelling in an open forum where people should be able to share their thoughts and feelings maybe you should go volunteer at some of the food banks the working poor of Fairfax County frequent.

Do tell. What are these unnecessary programs and facilities? Because in my neck of FFX Co. programs are getting cut right and left and the schools are bursting at the seams. But, FCPS won't build a new school (for reasons that don't appear to be very good).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Your vs. you're=you are. The children are at play again."

I get the feeling you are a troll, probably a supervisor from Fairfax, trying to justify your callous choices by being petty and mean rather than providing anything meaningful to prove your point. I could care less about your insults, it doesn't make the pay freeze less difficult and cruel when FCPS is willing to pay millions for unnecessary programs and facilities. Rather than nitpick grammar and spelling in an open forum where people should be able to share their thoughts and feelings maybe you should go volunteer at some of the food banks the working poor of Fairfax County frequent.

Do tell. What are these unnecessary programs and facilities? Because in my neck of FFX Co. programs are getting cut right and left and the schools are bursting at the seams. But, FCPS won't build a new school (for reasons that don't appear to be very good).

Bravo!!!!!

[Anonymous]

There just was a tax issue or something about building new FFX schools (or at least improving/expanding) at incredibly rich costs -- I recall more than $100 million each.

Whatever the economic problems are, asking the teachers to live without a raise for year after year is just plain demoralizing and cruel. Perhaps they make more than other people -maybe you all think teachers are overpaid as a class... I happen to disagree. They are there for a lot longer day than I ever imagined, they are available by email at all hours, and they really know their curriculum and students, even though they are continually asked to take on more of both.

I think a happy, motivated teacher in a cruddy run-down facility can accomplish a lot more than a disgruntled put-down teacher in the best new schoolhouse.

And no - I don't work for FCPS or teach - never have, probably never will. I have one child in FCPS and one in private, so I see (and pay for) both types of schools.

[Anonymous]

When looking at unnecessary programs and facilities look to administrative costs/perks

IE) Gatehouse; Fairfax Ridge; Lacey; training for overused and soon to be obsolete VGLA; Gatehouse II (voted down for now but how much was spent on the analysis and consultation for it)

More Recently:
The Priority Schools Initiative is intended to fund programs for at-risk students at various schools perceived to be in need of additional assistance. Though the initiative was originally meant to replace old programs such as Project Excel (unfunded in 2010 Budget), it appears the $1.3 million is also meant to continue these programs for a year while launching new initiatives. "I'm not sure anyone knows what the $1.3 million is for even today," Herrity said. Both supervisors and speakers in the public session made comments indicating that the money is partially going to fund additional training for 20 principals at the University of Virginia, though additional details were not forthcoming.

Just seems admin's needs are taken care of before everyone elses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When looking at unnecessary programs and facilities look to administrative costs/perks

IE) Gatehouse; Fairfax Ridge; Lacey; training for overused and soon to be obsolete VGLA; Gatehouse II (voted down for now but how much was spent on the analysis and consultation for it)

You do realize that Lacey has been torn down for construction of another elementary school:

http://www.fcps.edu/fts/planning/annandalestudy/presentation2.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There just was a tax issue or something about building new FFX schools (or at least improving/expanding) at incredibly rich costs -- I recall more than $100 million each.

Whatever the economic problems are, asking the teachers to live without a raise for year after year is just plain demoralizing and cruel. Perhaps they make more than other people -maybe you all think teachers are overpaid as a class... I happen to disagree. They are there for a lot longer day than I ever imagined, they are available by email at all hours, and they really know their curriculum and students, even though they are continually asked to take on more of both.

I think a happy, motivated teacher in a cruddy run-down facility can accomplish a lot more than a disgruntled put-down teacher in the best new schoolhouse.

And no - I don't work for FCPS or teach - never have, probably never will. I have one child in FCPS and one in private, so I see (and pay for) both types of schools.

ITA!!!! (and I'm a lawyer, not a teacher)

[Anonymous]

"You do realize that Lacey has been torn down for construction of another elementary school:

http://www.fcps.edu/fts/planning/annandalestudy/presentation2.pdf"

Yes - and there is a lot criticism about what has occurred with this building, redistricting and Clifton - as well as other decisions. You seem to be presenting surface arguments to divert attention but not going to deep because you either don't know or don't want others to really think and know about the current issues.

Your response also confirms to me you are definitely a troll trying to take the air out of legitimate concerns.
I have worked in public service/nonprofit since I was a teenager whether paid or volunteer - your voice and apathy to the situation just doesn't match what I have encountered - Perhaps you're more admin than grunt though. Regardless - I don't believe that you are an uninvolved, bystander - Especially, since this is a "fight" all teachers, social workers, social service providers need to address in this area - the working poor. Since FCPS is one of the largest employers and so well recognized - and since even before this they did not compensate their teachers as well as their competition does - it was and continues to be a matter that needs to be addressed -

Regardless I still think your a troll.

[Anonymous]

post script-

and since I know you'll deflate the point by picking out a grammar error - I know - you're not your - it's my editor's day off

[Anonymous]

"I work for the federal government and we haven't had to forego step and cost of living increases... "

You will now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"You do realize that Lacey has been torn down for construction of another elementary school:

http://www.fcps.edu/fts/planning/annandalestudy/presentation2.pdf"

Yes - and there is a lot criticism about what has occurred with this building, redistricting and Clifton - as well as other decisions. You seem to be presenting surface arguments to divert attention but not going to deep because you either don't know or don't want others to really think and know about the current issues.

Your response also confirms to me you are definitely a troll trying to take the air out of legitimate concerns.
I have worked in public service/nonprofit since I was a teenager whether paid or volunteer - your voice and apathy to the situation just doesn't match what I have encountered - Perhaps you're more admin than grunt though. Regardless - I don't believe that you are an uninvolved, bystander - Especially, since this is a "fight" all teachers, social workers, social service providers need to address in this area - the working poor. Since FCPS is one of the largest employers and so well recognized - and since even before this they did not compensate their teachers as well as their competition does - it was and continues to be a matter that needs to be addressed -

Regardless I still think your a troll.

Two words: Dillon Rule

[Anonymous]

I'm curious what people think - how many years in a row is it acceptable to freeze a public school teacher's salary (both step increas and COLA increases)? I ask because there is a possibility of 2011-2012 being the 3rd year in a row of a FCPS teacher salary freeze. I can see them sucking it up for a year or two -- heck, maybe 3. But at what point do we think our teachers should at least receive a cost of living increase?

I understand that there is only so much money in the budget and that cuts continue to be necessary (none of which are favorable), but the question is where those cuts are made and whether they should continue to be made in teacher salaries.

[Anonymous]

I think it's acceptable as long as the economy is doing poorly and as long as FCPS can still compete with other school districts and other jobs. My husband has had a pay freeze for 2 years. Other companies are laying off workers, lowering salaries, reducing benefits, and freezing pay and/or bonuses. It's only natural that it would happen in the school district, too. I don't feel like schools are doing this because they can get away with it but because the reality is the money is not there. Now if FCPS freezes pay for 5 years in row for no reason and a neighboring school district is raising pay and hiring, then eventually FCPS would start losing teachers. But that is not the case. Things are bad everywhere, and I think everyone just needs to suck it up until the economy improves.

I'm not saying that because I don't think teachers deserve better pay or annual raises, but because the economy sucks and it's hitting everywhere.

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious what people think - how many years in a row is it acceptable to freeze a public school teacher's salary (both step increas and COLA increases)? I ask because there is a possibility of 2011-2012 being the 3rd year in a row of a FCPS teacher salary freeze. I can see them sucking it up for a year or two -- heck, maybe 3. But at what point do we think our teachers should at least receive a cost of living increase?

I understand that there is only so much money in the budget and that cuts continue to be necessary (none of which are favorable), but the question is where those cuts are made and whether they should continue to be made in teacher salaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious what people think - how many years in a row is it acceptable to freeze a public school teacher's salary (both step increas and COLA increases)? I ask because there is a possibility of 2011-2012 being the 3rd year in a row of a FCPS teacher salary freeze. I can see them sucking it up for a year or two -- heck, maybe 3. But at what point do we think our teachers should at least receive a cost of living increase?

I really doubt that will happen, especially after the adjustment done with VRS.

But, to go with your hypothetical, I agree with 19:59 that it can continue as long as the economy is doing poorly and FCPS can still compete with neighboring jurisdictions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I work for the federal government and we haven't had to forego step and cost of living increases... "

You will now.

COLAs only. Not step increases.