Anonymous wrote:January 10, 2023
In a much anticipated clash of heavyweights over the future of the ever-shrinking teaching workforce, the contender in the west side of the ring has landed this year’s first haymaker! Though slightly smaller in stature, LCPS has managed a rippling, if unsurprising, first blow. A first FY24 budget proposal has BIG raises included, a jab sure to be felt for the rest of budget season. Yes, that’s 5%-8% for ALL employees in LCPS. What’s more? It was a ONE-TWO PUNCH! More days of sick leave and personal leave were included FOR ALL TEACHERS!! WHAT!? More money AND more work-life balance? UNBELIEVABLE!! They are really going for this!
To add insult to injury, Loudoun’s coach who orchestrated this start of the performance is no other than Dr. Daniel Smith, recently deserted principal of Lake Braddock Secondary School! The DRAMA!!! Even with this, you have to wonder how long he will be sticking around with the rate at which LCPS is firing their senior coaching staff!
Eyes turn quickly to the opposite side of the ring for Thursday’s reply from fighter Fairfax. Anything less than a resounding reciprocation of Loudoun’s opening salvo will be seen as a major blow in this bout, and will be sure to turn even more heads of Fairfax staff toward better paying jurisdictions. And all this in a year of increasing resignations and shortages! Edge of your seat stuff!!!
Will Fairfax respond? How will they sweeten the deal? Is this the beginning of the inevitable decline of FCPS teacher quality, or the beginning of something far grander? Tune in on Thursday at 1:30 to find out!!
More sick leave and personal days is useless unless people have unavoidable medical needs (childbirth, major illness, surgery). Taking a day off is a PITA to get a (quality) sub, make sub plan, and pick up the pieces upon return. Does Loudoun have higher quality and quantity subs than FCPS?