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I am glad to see only 25 of the teachers are taking the buyout, hopefully they are all at 25+ years and decided on their own terms to leave. The fact that the district is trying to cleanse of teachers of 8+ years is disturbing. If I had 8+ years I would stop paying union dues.
No one has taken it yet, 25 is just the number they expect. You really have to have a spouse with excellent and untouchable health benefits at a job that has no chance of layoffs for this offer to make any sense. That's why they only expect about 2% of those eligible to take it.
"An analysis by the independent consulting firm Educators Preferred Corp. in Missouri . . ."
Again, a consultant to do the work the District (Spolar and Visgitis, this time)??
"New member Regina Holley said, "I don't want to lose the senior leaders in our district. That to me seems like the group that you really want to keep."
Yes, Regina, the District needs its senior leaders desperately to counter the agendas from Central Office that are taking PPS to the pits.
Thanks to Dr. Holley for her cogent, articulate and professional questions! Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11355/1198265-53.stm#ixzz1hBJ6KueY
Anon 1:24, there were probably a lot of people wondering about cost when they read the article. It's pretty likely a 5th grader might have figured out only about 2% will even think about taking the weak incentive and a walk.
You evidently haven't read the package. IT IS NOT for teachers who are eligible for retirement. In fact, like everything else coming from Bellefield Ave., it is an insult, a complete and utter joke. I almost find it embarrassing that it appeared in the papers. Almost. I mean, why would they even print such tripe? Is the bottom line supposed to be that hey, we tried but teachers wouldn't retire? You'd have to have a rich uncle or a large endowment to retire under this "package." Good God.
I'm guessing that they're going after teachers they have been trying to get rid of -- if you felt like you were being drummed out via EIPs, this might be a better choice, especially if you wanted to move, had something else to do, etc.
Basically a severance package in lieu of a very slow firing?
Otherwise, I agree, it's not at all appealing, and it's not aimed at younger/newer teachers either with the 80K min.
This is so tragically ironic: in their rush to try to become nationally relevant to the educational reform debate, the Roosevelt/Lane/Fischetti/Weiss administration has left us irrelevant even on a regional basis.
Within the City, families are choosing charter schools at an ever increasing preference rate. These schools are not saddled with the nonsense of RISE, PELA, PULSE, etc.
Across the County, we see that the Pittsburgh Promise has not had the same effect as Kalamazoo in increasing enrollment. Despite the lure of a $40,000 scholarship, parents of school-aged are moving in droves from Pittsburgh's bedroom communities.
Does anyone really think that a single superintendent picked up the phone to call Linda Lane to say, "I've been impressed with what you did at Westinghouse. How can I model your programs?"
How many AFT or PSEA locals are ringing Nina up to find out how to better cooperate with management after seeing her and John get duped into signing off on mass layoffs right in the text of the Gates' grant submission?
Does anyone rationally believe that any other educational leader in this state would endorse spending $137,000 on a survey?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all as we celebrate out sixth year of the Broad reign of shame.
Based on the public release of the buyout plan it states that a teacher must have a base pay of $80,000, and not be eligible for full retirement or reduced retirement benefits. If that is the case, what teachers would qualify? Wouldn't this only apply to non-vested teachers? What non-vested teacher is making 80,000? Vesting takes 5 years and what teacher makes that kind of money after 5 years? It sounds more like it is for non-vested Broadies and politically appointed positions who are highly paid with no seniority....hmmmmm.
Interesting theory anon 3:39. It should be interesting to see if it comes to pass. Realistically, many of the group eligible could move on to other positions and professions and cite their involvement with cutting edge initiatives.
Point well taken, Parentone. Pittsburgh has become a stepping stone to loftier positions for some (those who swear they did great, innovative things here). In reality they raped the district of finances, resources and quality staff. Not to mention leaving our children educationally bankrupt. If I sound angry, it is because I am. It's bad enough to put incompetent 12 year olds in high paying positions, but now PPS is going to pay them to leave when they say we have no money...someone should have checked Roosevelt's pockets before he left.
Well, I have until June 30, 2012 to consider the hideous/insulting buyout plan offfered by the district. I received my letter today.
18 years of service as a non-SPED teacher teaching the more challenging students who have basic to below basic skills. I never requested the group of students considered to be 'more desirable' to teach because I felt that anyone could teach these students. The other students needed someone to push them and not quit on them. I'd like to think that I had some positive influence in their lives.
However, I have since learned from those paid a higher salary than me and know how to RISE teachers that I don't care, I don't push, I am not a positive influence, and basically, that I am ineffective.
If only I could provide the evidence to the contrary, like the many thank you notes received over a decade from parents and students, then perhaps those higher paid administrators would measure my added value better!?!?
Who cares that I voluntarily sponsored afterschool activities for years!!! Yes, my bad for volunteering.
This is the thanks I get, a swift kick in the butt as they shove me through the door telling me 'don't come back now, yaw hear!'
15 comments:
So where's the buyout plan for PPS administrators?
The local foundations took care of that when they picked up the tab for Mark Roosevelt's tax bill the winter before he announced he was leaving.
I am glad to see only 25 of the teachers are taking the buyout, hopefully they are all at 25+ years and decided on their own terms to leave. The fact that the district is trying to cleanse of teachers of 8+ years is disturbing. If I had 8+ years I would stop paying union dues.
Anon 8:47:
No one has taken it yet, 25 is just the number they expect. You really have to have a spouse with excellent and untouchable health benefits at a job that has no chance of layoffs for this offer to make any sense. That's why they only expect about 2% of those eligible to take it.
"An analysis by the independent consulting firm Educators Preferred Corp. in Missouri . . ."
Again, a consultant to do the work the District (Spolar and Visgitis, this time)??
"New member Regina Holley said, "I don't want to lose the senior leaders in our district. That to me seems like the group that you really want to keep."
Yes, Regina, the District needs its senior leaders desperately to counter the agendas from Central Office that are taking PPS to the pits.
Thanks to Dr. Holley for her cogent, articulate and professional questions!
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11355/1198265-53.stm#ixzz1hBJ6KueY
I wonder how much the consultant cost us?
Several years ago they bought out principals.
Anon 1:24, there were probably a lot of people wondering about cost when they read the article. It's pretty likely a 5th grader might have figured out only about 2% will even think about taking the weak incentive and a walk.
You evidently haven't read the package. IT IS NOT for teachers who are eligible for retirement. In fact, like everything else coming from Bellefield Ave., it is an insult, a complete and utter joke. I almost find it embarrassing that it appeared in the papers. Almost. I mean, why would they even print such tripe? Is the bottom line supposed to be that hey, we tried but teachers wouldn't retire?
You'd have to have a rich uncle or a large endowment to retire under this "package." Good God.
I'm guessing that they're going after teachers they have been trying to get rid of -- if you felt like you were being drummed out via EIPs, this might be a better choice, especially if you wanted to move, had something else to do, etc.
Basically a severance package in lieu of a very slow firing?
Otherwise, I agree, it's not at all appealing, and it's not aimed at younger/newer teachers either with the 80K min.
This is so tragically ironic: in their rush to try to become nationally relevant to the educational reform debate, the Roosevelt/Lane/Fischetti/Weiss administration has left us irrelevant even on a regional basis.
Within the City, families are choosing charter schools at an ever increasing preference rate. These schools are not saddled with the nonsense of RISE, PELA, PULSE, etc.
Across the County, we see that the Pittsburgh Promise has not had the same effect as Kalamazoo in increasing enrollment. Despite the lure of a $40,000 scholarship, parents of school-aged are moving in droves from Pittsburgh's bedroom communities.
Does anyone really think that a single superintendent picked up the phone to call Linda Lane to say, "I've been impressed with what you did at Westinghouse. How can I model your programs?"
How many AFT or PSEA locals are ringing Nina up to find out how to better cooperate with management after seeing her and John get duped into signing off on mass layoffs right in the text of the Gates' grant submission?
Does anyone rationally believe that any other educational leader in this state would endorse spending $137,000 on a survey?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all as we celebrate out sixth year of the Broad reign of shame.
Based on the public release of the buyout plan it states that a teacher must have a base pay of $80,000, and not be eligible for full retirement or reduced retirement benefits. If that is the case, what teachers would qualify? Wouldn't this only apply to non-vested teachers? What non-vested teacher is making 80,000? Vesting takes 5 years and what teacher makes that kind of money after 5 years? It sounds more like it is for non-vested Broadies and politically appointed positions who are highly paid with no seniority....hmmmmm.
Interesting theory anon 3:39. It should be interesting to see if it comes to pass. Realistically, many of the group eligible could move on to other positions and professions and cite their involvement with cutting edge initiatives.
Point well taken, Parentone. Pittsburgh has become a stepping stone to loftier positions for some (those who swear they did great, innovative things here). In reality they raped the district of finances, resources and quality staff. Not to mention leaving our children educationally bankrupt. If I sound angry, it is because I am. It's bad enough to put incompetent 12 year olds in high paying positions, but now PPS is going to pay them to leave when they say we have no money...someone should have checked Roosevelt's pockets before he left.
It's a buyout plan "for teachers." I wish there were a bad buyout plan for stupid adminstrators, but it doesn't seem to have happened yet.
Well, I have until June 30, 2012 to consider the hideous/insulting buyout plan offfered by the district. I received my letter today.
18 years of service as a non-SPED teacher teaching the more challenging students who have basic to below basic skills. I never requested the group of students considered to be 'more desirable' to teach because I felt that anyone could teach these students. The other students needed someone to push them and not quit on them. I'd like to think that I had some positive influence in their lives.
However, I have since learned from those paid a higher salary than me and know how to RISE teachers that I don't care, I don't push, I am not a positive influence, and basically, that I am ineffective.
If only I could provide the evidence to the contrary, like the many thank you notes received over a decade from parents and students, then perhaps those higher paid administrators would measure my added value better!?!?
Who cares that I voluntarily sponsored afterschool activities for years!!! Yes, my bad for volunteering.
This is the thanks I get, a swift kick in the butt as they shove me through the door telling me 'don't come back now, yaw hear!'
KARMA, baby, KARMA!!!!!!
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