Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not just call it leave? Then who cares what happens? Why does everything need a label? In other work environments you take leave, you use it or you don't. It's called a benefit.

Depends on the workplace. We aren't teachers but my DH just has "leave". I, however, get personal days, sick leave, vacation leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, etc. When I take time off, I have to code it appropriately on my timesheet. Sick leave carries over and is paid out if you leave the company, vacation leave has a carry-over cap.

We always say my DW should start using more of her leave. There really isn't any reason for her to accrue so much of it. We are a two teacher household. I am able to at least use my leave towards service credit when I retire, but because of when she was hired she doesn't have that benefit. FCPS teachers hired after a certain year (I'd have to look it up) forfeit all unused leave when they exit FCPS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a problem with 10 days of sick leave. There are already so many days off in the year. Most companies now just give vacation time that you can use towards sick leave. Or take days without pay. 10 days of sick leave is excessive.

So a teacher should only get sick on planned days off? OK....

Personally, I try to make sure I have the flu only on Presidents Day or Columbus day or my teacher work days so I can't get my grades in.

Hi. I am not a teacher, but I know of many teachers in Arlington County and Fairfax County. Both counties had their strengths and weaknesses. I know that my friends who teach in Arlington County don’t have as long of a summer break or spring or winter breaks because they have a lot more training that they are mandated to do. I also know that Fairfax County is stretching the limits of what teachers can do and that’s unfair.

As a person who has jumped through many different jobs there is something to be said for the devil you know. The other thing is that you will be making a substantial amount more money in Arlington County but you will be taking a hit if you’re commuting from Fairfax County. There is no good answer because your quality of life will have many different metrics.

I also know that your satisfaction will be dependent on your immediate supervisor. SO choose wisely

Anonymous wrote:

What's wrong with building up leave? It's not like a teacher can take off for a month and go on vacation with it. It has to be used as sick leave and after a few days in a row needs to be approved. When a teacher retires from FCPS, he/she doesn't get paid for unused leave.

This was my chief problem with it. Thank you for clarifying that.

Actually, I think you can use sick leave toward retirement credit. So maybe you don't get paid, but if you have a few months of leave accrued, that can be used toward your years worked.

Ok, THAT I have a problem with.

I know! Can you imagine!? It's not like teachers don't get enough perqs - the high salary, the generous benefits package, the golden parachutes and the incredible snowflakes and parents they get to work with. It's not like some of them went without a pay raise for a couple of years or that they have to use their own money for supplies. Imagine them getting to accrue leave balances! If they really want to accrue sick leave, they should go into federal service where there is no limit on sick leave accrual.

Not the poster you are responding to; but our federal-employee household went 4 years without an increase several years back. And private company employees live without regular raises and without generous leave packages. I wouldn't want to be a teacher no matter how much you paid me. But teachers DO get ten weeks plus holidays every year. Other people work 60+ hours a week year round with only a few weeks of leave, which includes their sick leave.

Anonymous wrote:
Don’t do it. I did it. Worst decision of my life!!!

Can you elaborate?

Don’t do it. I did it. Worst decision of my life!!!

How are your years calculated? Can someone post the direct link? Seems there are alapbet letters and I'm curious because I'm thinking of leaving MCPS.

Anonymous wrote:A follow up question almost 3 years after the last post!

I teach in FCPS and have 15 years of experience - if I found a job teaching in Arlington, would they honor my 15 years or would I start off at a lower number of years of experience?

Thanks!

APS teacher here. YMMV, but you likely would get them all. I came with about that many and got credit for them all. They generally "max" at 14 years, but I've heard of people getting more (17, 18, etc.). Again, YMMV, but you will get a major salary hike even if you only got the max of 14. 15 FCPS is something like 80k whereas in APS you would be looking at closer to 90/95 depending on your degree/s.

Anonymous wrote:I have a problem with 10 days of sick leave. There are already so many days off in the year. Most companies now just give vacation time that you can use towards sick leave. Or take days without pay. 10 days of sick leave is excessive.

So a teacher should only get sick on planned days off? OK....

I have a problem with 10 days of sick leave. There are already so many days off in the year. Most companies now just give vacation time that you can use towards sick leave. Or take days without pay. 10 days of sick leave is excessive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20:48, re: "sick days" used as "personal leave", it used to be 3 days, the VEA/FEA just got it increased to 5.

Whoa, seriously? Are you allowed to take them consecutively? That's a major game changer.

(Realistically, the amount of work that it would take to provide a week of comprehensive sub plans is too daunting to think about, but it's still nice to know options...)

I am in FCPS and the most I have ever taken at one time is 2 in a row. Taking a week off would just be crazy IMO. Plus, 5 days over the course of a school year is not a ton. I usually take a day off here and there to travel for a long weekend, or stay home when my kids are off.

Anonymous wrote:Why not just call it leave? Then who cares what happens? Why does everything need a label? In other work environments you take leave, you use it or you don't. It's called a benefit.

Depends on the workplace. We aren't teachers but my DH just has "leave". I, however, get personal days, sick leave, vacation leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, etc. When I take time off, I have to code it appropriately on my timesheet. Sick leave carries over and is paid out if you leave the company, vacation leave has a carry-over cap.

I'm interested in that info also...

A follow up question almost 3 years after the last post!

I teach in FCPS and have 15 years of experience - if I found a job teaching in Arlington, would they honor my 15 years or would I start off at a lower number of years of experience?

Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:20:48, re: "sick days" used as "personal leave", it used to be 3 days, the VEA/FEA just got it increased to 5.

Whoa, seriously? Are you allowed to take them consecutively? That's a major game changer.

(Realistically, the amount of work that it would take to provide a week of comprehensive sub plans is too daunting to think about, but it's still nice to know options...)