So this is where all the money is going at DC Charters?

[Anonymous]

I don't work at a Charter but know many who do. Can't talk about elementary but at middle and high, teachers are paid very low salary and that is why there is a constant churn and many of the new charters are in trouble, part of the problem they can't keep their staff. I just cannot believe the salary that some of the admin are raking in, and these schools are not the highly regarded ones we read about on DCUM. Principals at DCPS who work in some of the hardest to staff schools East of River are making peanuts in comparison and working in very difficult, and dangerous environments. These data is shocking to me, then of course there are the consultants who are connected to the PCSB, the lack of transparency at that organization needs to be investigated now. Children's education should not be profit driven..

https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/news/city-desk/article/21045319/dc-charter-administrators-have-some-of-the-highest-school-salaries-in-town-their-teachers-some-of-the-lowest

[Anonymous]

"In one remarkable instance, Sonia Gutierrez, the founder and former CEO of Carlos Rosario, who now sits on the school’s board, earned $1,890,000 between 2015 and 2017. "

Wow.

[Anonymous]

Charters are a scam. The whole point is to be at the top of the pyramid and rake in compensation, like a corporate CEO, with close to zero oversight. Meanwhile, the taxpayers fund it all.

It's ludicrous.

[Anonymous]

Time for the DME to step in, but oh wait.

[Anonymous]

You can find the senior executives salaries on each school's 990.

Most are far below what these outliers are making.

The fact that teachers are not paid as well as DCPS is not news.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can find the senior executives salaries on each school's 990.

Most are far below what these outliers are making.

The fact that teachers are not paid as well as DCPS is not news.

PP here, I understand that, but why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can find the senior executives salaries on each school's 990.

Most are far below what these outliers are making.

The fact that teachers are not paid as well as DCPS is not news.

they were paid a lot closer to DCPS before Michelle Rhee came in and delivered the new contract. After the contract, DCPS teachers salaries for the most part had a significant change (much of it way overdue) - but Charters did not keep pace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find the senior executives salaries on each school's 990.

Most are far below what these outliers are making.

The fact that teachers are not paid as well as DCPS is not news.

they were paid a lot closer to DCPS before Michelle Rhee came in and delivered the new contract. After the contract, DCPS teachers salaries for the most part had a significant change (much of it way overdue) - but Charters did not keep pace.

One of the reasons for high teacher turnover at most charters. As soon as the teachers get a year or two experience - and if they're any good - the move to DCPS for a 20% or more pay bump and much better benefits. Teachers are worth it.

Not all charters are designed to funnel monies to founders and management companies, but the sector is so opaque it is difficult to know who the truly ethical operators are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find the senior executives salaries on each school's 990.

Most are far below what these outliers are making.

The fact that teachers are not paid as well as DCPS is not news.

they were paid a lot closer to DCPS before Michelle Rhee came in and delivered the new contract. After the contract, DCPS teachers salaries for the most part had a significant change (much of it way overdue) - but Charters did not keep pace.

One of the reasons for high teacher turnover at most charters. As soon as the teachers get a year or two experience - and if they're any good - the move to DCPS for a 20% or more pay bump and much better benefits. Teachers are worth it.

Not all charters are designed to funnel monies to founders and management companies, but the sector is so opaque it is difficult to know who the truly ethical operators are.

plus many of the charters are bad and the good ones have insane work hour requirements places like KIPP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find the senior executives salaries on each school's 990.

Most are far below what these outliers are making.

The fact that teachers are not paid as well as DCPS is not news.

PP here, I understand that, but why?

One big reason is that charter teachers are not represented by a union that bargains collectively on their behalf for higher wages, benefits, and working conditions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find the senior executives salaries on each school's 990.

Most are far below what these outliers are making.

The fact that teachers are not paid as well as DCPS is not news.

they were paid a lot closer to DCPS before Michelle Rhee came in and delivered the new contract. After the contract, DCPS teachers salaries for the most part had a significant change (much of it way overdue) - but Charters did not keep pace.

How about because they hire unqualified, uncertified and straight out of school teachers. Used to be through the DCTF and TFA pipeline, changed somewhat over the years. Note we are not talking about all Charters but a core group, the ones who are always advertising on indeed.com because they can't keep staff. What I didn't know though, was how much the admin were making this is unbelievable. Then you have there is the fact, that has been posted on DCUM before, that failing charters are ALL referred to Tensquare (consulting program) owned or connected by some of the very same folks at the DCCB. Where is the oversight? Not only that why are students left to flounder in failing schools for years, obviously when schools know they are closing teachers leave. So quality of instruction drops even further, what does the DCCB do - watch from afar? They don't seem to provide any additional support to school or staff once they close. As numerous people have requested FOIA requests to no avail to Charter School Board, I say if you receive DC money you need to be more open and transparent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find the senior executives salaries on each school's 990.

Most are far below what these outliers are making.

The fact that teachers are not paid as well as DCPS is not news.

they were paid a lot closer to DCPS before Michelle Rhee came in and delivered the new contract. After the contract, DCPS teachers salaries for the most part had a significant change (much of it way overdue) - but Charters did not keep pace.

One of the reasons for high teacher turnover at most charters. As soon as the teachers get a year or two experience - and if they're any good - the move to DCPS for a 20% or more pay bump and much better benefits. Teachers are worth it.

Not all charters are designed to funnel monies to founders and management companies, but the sector is so opaque it is difficult to know who the truly ethical operators are.

Charters don't want to pay them, it's for profit so also find a way to get rid. They can get two newbie teachers for the cost of one experienced one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find the senior executives salaries on each school's 990.

Most are far below what these outliers are making.

The fact that teachers are not paid as well as DCPS is not news.

they were paid a lot closer to DCPS before Michelle Rhee came in and delivered the new contract. After the contract, DCPS teachers salaries for the most part had a significant change (much of it way overdue) - but Charters did not keep pace.

One of the reasons for high teacher turnover at most charters. As soon as the teachers get a year or two experience - and if they're any good - the move to DCPS for a 20% or more pay bump and much better benefits. Teachers are worth it.

Not all charters are designed to funnel monies to founders and management companies, but the sector is so opaque it is difficult to know who the truly ethical operators are.

Charters don't want to pay them, it's for profit so also find a way to get rid. They can get two newbie teachers for the cost of one experienced one.

It really varies. You need to look at each charter's annual reports, which lists the average years of experience for teachers. Also, every charter in DC must be run by a nonprofit. A very small number employ for-profit management companies or turnaround consultants.

Finally a disproportionate amount of money available to charters goes to acquiring / renting, renovating, and upkeep of facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find the senior executives salaries on each school's 990.

Most are far below what these outliers are making.

The fact that teachers are not paid as well as DCPS is not news.

they were paid a lot closer to DCPS before Michelle Rhee came in and delivered the new contract. After the contract, DCPS teachers salaries for the most part had a significant change (much of it way overdue) - but Charters did not keep pace.

One of the reasons for high teacher turnover at most charters. As soon as the teachers get a year or two experience - and if they're any good - the move to DCPS for a 20% or more pay bump and much better benefits. Teachers are worth it.

Not all charters are designed to funnel monies to founders and management companies, but the sector is so opaque it is difficult to know who the truly ethical operators are.

Charters don't want to pay them, it's for profit so also find a way to get rid. They can get two newbie teachers for the cost of one experienced one.

It really varies. You need to look at each charter's annual reports, which lists the average years of experience for teachers. Also, every charter in DC must be run by a nonprofit. A very small number employ for-profit management companies or turnaround consultants.

Finally a disproportionate amount of money available to charters goes to acquiring / renting, renovating, and upkeep of facilities.

Not profit on paper, megabucks in reality. If you are paying the admin that much it is in name only...

[Anonymous]

$200k+ salaries are too high. Most teachers are paid way too little.

But you guys do know that per-pupil funds are not all that schools are using, right? Just like how wealthy PTAs can decide to pay for extras at some schools, grants from private foundations pay for extras too (people and stuff)... and grant funds are usually restricted so that they can't just be used to bump up all teacher salaries, for example.