tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post5150693065907861418..comments2023-08-24T05:24:51.011-04:00Comments on PURE Reform: LayoffsQuestionerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-24791414387752736682011-06-24T20:10:42.958-04:002011-06-24T20:10:42.958-04:00Anon 7:13 there are no doubt to many cushy jobs an...Anon 7:13 there are no doubt to many cushy jobs and back door deals going on. I hope more jobs aren't lost because of misguided executive/consultant spending. I really do think declining enrollment is only going to snow ball so I don't think teachers jobs are safe. I think there is a hidden agenda. Some folks are really sensitive to say the least I don't think any teacher bashing was going on just an opinion for residency in Pittsburgh. P.S I hope your not a teacher telling a taxpaying citizen to move out of the city of Pittsburgh we need all the residents and children we can get. I happen to be a city resident and I really love living in Pittsbugh but that's my choice but I am not paid by the taxpayers. We have a shrinking tax base and the slime ball Republicans don't care about the poorer districts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-74048496023084745792011-06-24T19:29:00.544-04:002011-06-24T19:29:00.544-04:00If there is going to be a teacher bashing thread, ...If there is going to be a teacher bashing thread, can you make a separate thread for those who want to participate? (I don't want to) <br /><br /> I don't know why this thread turned into this hatred, it is sad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-32720909491789153812011-06-24T19:13:09.465-04:002011-06-24T19:13:09.465-04:00Anon at 6:08, it only got mean when some morons so...Anon at 6:08, it only got mean when some morons somehow interjected teacher residency in the discussion.<br />I feel badly for those fired but why not keep to the topic---a great many cushy jobs at the board go untouched yet again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-58737115762638345502011-06-24T19:11:00.232-04:002011-06-24T19:11:00.232-04:00Like a previous poster wrote, who do you think you...Like a previous poster wrote, who do you think you are? You write a predictable reply about the Steelers and UPMC, but your logic escapes me.<br />How much money goes to the Steelers every year from the average Pittsburgher? How many millions do they make? Whether voluntary, involuntary or somewhere in between, do you mean they shouldn't at least have to live in the county? <br />How much money do you pay in health insurance? Who is your carrier? If it's UPMC, well, it's coming out of your pay. This "non-profit" industry makes hundreds of billions each year? Why no logic being employed here? Are you simply alluding to the idea that yes, doctors are better than you so they should live wherever they like? But teachers---a group of people you apparently despise---by their very moving off to the suburbs feel they are better than you?? Is this a rational argument???<br />You know, PPS used the same logic in the early 1980's and the PFT capitulated. By the end of the 1980's, at least PPS had the courage to drop the "well, you'll better understand city students if you live here" line in favor of saying, "Well, we can use the money." Even they saw the stupidity of such logic?<br />Other than allowing teachers to unfairly think they are better than city residents, just where does your logic come from???<br />In your wonderful bank position, you do not face the daily pressures that the average teacher does--from students and administration alike. You do not face the stress that any urban teacher faces (and this can be looked up via countless studies).<br />I would hope that you do not face the intimidation tactics that come from a principal, district administration or local and state "political leaders."<br /><br />Again, your envy unbalances your thinking. As stated by someone above, I don't think I am better than anyone...but I do think I am above the "logic" of this argument.Old Timernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-70965672704151793202011-06-24T18:37:31.758-04:002011-06-24T18:37:31.758-04:00I am an American, I am free to live where I choose...I am an American, I am free to live where I choose. I am a teacher and guess what? I live in the City and my child is in the PPS. I believe people should live where they choose, and if your a teacher you see first hand the crap that goes on in the PPS. Hey Banker you can move if you want. Leave us alone, you could not believe the shit storm we have been in the last 5 years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-50959202271568525012011-06-24T18:08:18.572-04:002011-06-24T18:08:18.572-04:00This thread is getting mean and long.
Being civi...This thread is getting mean and long. <br /><br />Being civil during what must be a difficult time for 147 people that lost their jobs should not be difficult.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-14613579951011755182011-06-24T18:05:30.837-04:002011-06-24T18:05:30.837-04:00Old timer 5:23 last I checked taxpayers arent payi...Old timer 5:23 last I checked taxpayers arent paying the salaries of the steelers and upmc doctors. I never said teachers benefits and pay aren't well deserved I just said they should live in the city. I work for a bank and our benefit package and any other industry for that matter is not close to a teachers and we get to retire when we can afford health care. We are all college educated as well. I know most teachers are dedicated and effective. I didn't know expressing an opinion of thinking teachers would touch a nerve. Jeez! I guess you folks really think you are better than the average citizens living in the city of Pittsburgh. I am the mother of one PPS student and voluntarily live in Pittsburgh because it's a community I believe in. After these ignorant and conceded responses from more than likely teachers I am considering pulling my child from PPS or better yet what if we all fled the city then where would you work? Take a look at the real world and how difficult it is for other educated professional folks. I am not hating on you teachers for doing well. Administrators should live in the city also if it makes you feel better. Where do you think Mike Tomlin lives and his kids go to school as an earlier poster mentioned that's right in the city and PPS. Since you are to hood to reside amongst your students families I am shocked. I have a few friends working for PPS and they are required to live in the city and are fine with it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-62068105560120746972011-06-24T17:43:12.509-04:002011-06-24T17:43:12.509-04:00Anon at 5:34, this guy will be in his glory next y...Anon at 5:34, this guy will be in his glory next year. After all, they're already talking about upwards of 200+ lazy, goodfornothin' teachers being fired and schools being closed.<br />Then maybe they can get a real job, like working for WalMart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-78182403360868302832011-06-24T17:36:45.930-04:002011-06-24T17:36:45.930-04:00@anon 5:14pm teachers are well taken care of and I...@anon 5:14pm teachers are well taken care of and I have no problem with that. Summers off, low health insurance contributions, early retirement, etc...If a teacher is good they do put in many hours. I had some teachers at PPS they had no clue. I am not mad at teachers for doing well but in tough economic toughs everyone takes a hit. That student that made that comment must have had ineffective teachers or bad parents because teachers do well. Parents are more important than teachers for sure. If a kid has no parenting there isnt much hope for the teachers being effective with the kid. I don't remember the last time PPS teachers went on strike but teacher strikes should be banned because only the kids get hurt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-78553021472352549362011-06-24T17:34:42.577-04:002011-06-24T17:34:42.577-04:00Anon June 24, 2011 5:02 PM
I guess board members ...Anon June 24, 2011 5:02 PM<br /><br />I guess board members do post here, or Tom Corbett!<br /><br />You do realize that none of the people let go during this round are teachers?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-62195951566329689442011-06-24T17:32:50.626-04:002011-06-24T17:32:50.626-04:00To the poster at 5:02, my kid is a city teacher. H...To the poster at 5:02, my kid is a city teacher. He lived in the city and moved out. Why not?<br />My parents both struggled through the depression with nothing. My dad and his brothers all fought in WW2. <br />We don't think--and I'm sure my kid doesn't feel--that we are better than anyone, no matter where we may live.<br /><br />Who in the world do you think you are? Where in the world do you think you live?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-38260313799109768472011-06-24T17:23:46.537-04:002011-06-24T17:23:46.537-04:00Here we have yet another parent/taxpayer whose abi...Here we have yet another parent/taxpayer whose ability to reason is overshadowed by obvious envy, hatred and ignorance. The resulting blather should be printed and posted on every teacher's wall for review any time he feels that he has an ally in the form of the public.<br />First, we are treated to a commentary about retirement at "50/55". While few teachers are able to retire at either age, please forgive me for again not apologizing for being a teacher.<br />Then we are treated to this pearl of wisdom:"There is no public sympathy for teachers believe me. People are sick of strikes and shocked at the great benefit package teachers receive."<br />I don't know of any teacher who ever felt that he or she had some sympathy among the citizenry. So what else is new? How will I sleep tonight? "Great benefit package"? As compared to what? In relationship to who? You? Again, I have no apologies for you.<br /><br />Then this:"If the kids are good enough to educate and earn a living off you should live amongst those families. I support the earlier residency proposal." For what reason, just personal satisfaction?Vindictiveness? Spite? Perhaps you'll get the Steelers to live in town. Maybe all UPMC doctors over at Presby should live in Oakland? Let me guess--these are all people worthy of your respect, right?<br /><br />Lastly, this:"I am a PPS taxpayer and most other industries such as banking us employees work until we can collect social security to off set medical insurance. You act like you are to good to live in the Pittsburgh community. No sympathy here you guys/gals have a nice deal in place. "<br /><br />Your viewpoints are evocative of the socialist point of view. It's almost scary. Then again, we see the same thoughts coming from republicans in charge of states like Pennsylvania, like Wisconsin, like Maine. <br /><br />We've had it too good for too long, right? We work six hours a day. we have three months off for summer vacation. And in your book, we're about on the same level as the guy working the counter at Toot N Scoot.<br /><br />Thanks friend. I usually have to go to the local bowling alley to get clear thinking like yours. I'd tell you to walk a mile in my shoes, but I'm sure it's hard enough getting off of that couch these days.Old Timernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-44479422348195655402011-06-24T17:14:06.906-04:002011-06-24T17:14:06.906-04:00Anon 5:02
Do you have any idea when the last st...Anon 5:02 <br /><br />Do you have any idea when the last strike in Pittsburgh was? We've lived here more than 2 decades now and I don't recall a strike before my kids went to school and I know there hasn't been one in the last 15 years. (http://www.psea.org/general.aspx?ID=882)<br /><br />The teachers I know work long hours, including time at home and on the weekends. Many of them, particularly if they haven't been here 10 years also teach after-school programs, Saturday programs, and summer school programs. Yes, they are paid for those, but it is more hours and more planning. <br /><br />I have yet to understand why people would want to bring everyone down to a low level of pay with bad benefits? Is that any way to attract people who are smart and motivated enough to work elsewhere? <br /><br />One teacher I know had a kid actually tell her, "Teachers don't make hardly any money! You're stupid to be so poorly paid!" At least I guess it wasn't your kid.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-71050833759510729422011-06-24T17:02:54.981-04:002011-06-24T17:02:54.981-04:00Parents trust there childs education and future in...Parents trust there childs education and future in the hands of teacher. Teachers got a pretty nice gig retire at 50/55 years of age with medical benefits paid and are paid well. So the earlier belly aching is unwarranted. There is no public sympathy for teachers believe me. People are sick of strikes and shocked at the great benefit package teachers receive. If the kids are good enough to educate and earn a living off you should live amongst those families. I support the earlier residency proposal. Now in no way am I blaming teachers for the districts dfinancial state that is a result of assistant superintendent/executive director/broad/consultant. I am a PPS taxpayer and most other industries such as banking us employees work until we can collect social security to off set medical insurance. You act like you are to good to live in the Pittsburgh community. No sympathy here you guys/gals have a nice deal in place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-46023414613802232252011-06-24T16:56:44.204-04:002011-06-24T16:56:44.204-04:00don't forget Paula Bevin getting 42,000 for 15...don't forget Paula Bevin getting 42,000 for 15 days of work. That equals the amount of salaries for many of those laid off. But let's be fair. Who the hell cares about some little secretary that's been at the board for 20+ years. I feel as though I should quit my job and then contract my services. Then I can charge a cost/month equal to half my salary!<br /><br />Oh and let's not forget that the top execs at PPS gave themselves large bonuses and large salary increases just days before they anounced that up to 50% of the central admin was going to be cut.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14390935859261085538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-69450593037810596562011-06-24T16:42:35.391-04:002011-06-24T16:42:35.391-04:00Anita Ravi
What a Joke? She came from the Institu...Anita Ravi<br /><br />What a Joke? She came from the Institute of Learning.<br /><br />Before that she interviewed for a social studies teaching position at Schenley and was not hired by Harold Bullward.<br /><br />She had only two years of teaching experience in charter school before the Institute of Learning.<br /><br />Our Social Studies Curriculums are horrible. <br /><br />What waste of 72K, nice departing gift from the PPS.<br /><br />This woman would not have lasted a day as a teacher in the PPS<br /><br />What an insult. <br /><br /> It can take up to 6 weeks to get your computer fixed in the PPS. The new computers we got last year wear previously used. They got rid of all these technology people and we as a district are all switching to the Pinnacle system this fall, the @#%#$ is going to hit the fan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-81360037296589259892011-06-24T15:08:08.193-04:002011-06-24T15:08:08.193-04:00Do any current school board members read this blog...Do any current school board members read this blog?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-68069388841940067072011-06-24T14:26:07.572-04:002011-06-24T14:26:07.572-04:00There's No Consultant Left Behind (nclb) at Pi...There's No Consultant Left Behind (nclb) at Pittsburgh Public Schools...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-1537606753895404612011-06-24T13:30:08.314-04:002011-06-24T13:30:08.314-04:00Anon 10:06 am,
Until last month, Anita Ravi was a...Anon 10:06 am,<br /><br />Until last month, Anita Ravi was a Social Studies Curriculum Officer in PPS. Ms Ravi moved to Florida with her family recently, vacating her position. Ms Ravi was awarded this "consultant" gig for 72k to work for 62 days from Florida on a "redesign of the Academy". Considering that several folks have been debating a residency requirement on this thread, I thought this would provide additional food for thought.<br /><br />I am no math expert, but that works out to just short of $300,000 a year. A sweet "golden parachute" for one of Dr. Lippert's favorites...<br /><br />Additionally, I would like readers to consider CORO's cosy relationship with the District, as they were recently awarded $205,000 for professional development work (obviously no one in PPS can provide satisfactory PD...). Look into the past of PELA folks, and you will invariably find a linkage to CORO, including the CORO alum who oversaw the PELA program last year, Ms Sullivan.<br /><br />CORO, Broad, RAND, Gates, Mathematica... with high powered relationships / contracts with organizations like these, who needs motivated teachers / support professionals?Dudernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-5815080919974442422011-06-24T12:23:49.889-04:002011-06-24T12:23:49.889-04:00It was some outside organization that published sa...It was some outside organization that published salaries, we have a link elsewhere on this blog.Questionerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-12242727559391607212011-06-24T12:22:44.304-04:002011-06-24T12:22:44.304-04:00Anonymous 12:08 that publishing of your salary app...Anonymous 12:08 that publishing of your salary applied to all educators in PA.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-64536299676183343392011-06-24T12:08:03.317-04:002011-06-24T12:08:03.317-04:00Apparently the district feels quite comfortable gi...Apparently the district feels quite comfortable giving out lists of salaries. About six or seven years ago the school board allowed every teachers name along with their yearly earnings be published on the Internet. In some cases these salaries were misrepresented due to the addition of extra-curricular pay, summer school pay, night school pay, etc.<br /><br />Funny enough, my students came to me and said "why are you here?...is that really all the more that you make per year.". I'm not complaining, I knew the deal when I accepted the job. <br /><br />Hopefully there will still be a step 10 when it's my turn.<br /><br />So, the point is "what's good for the goose is good for the gander. PUBLISH itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-39614158580943695702011-06-24T11:25:11.288-04:002011-06-24T11:25:11.288-04:00Questioner, take a look at every department in PPS...Questioner, take a look at every department in PPS. Let's start there. There's a supervisor and then 6, 7 or even more individuals NOT in the classroom.<br />Then let's go to assistant superintendents. Why do we need so many? What do they really do? Why $141K? Why so many assistants underneath them?<br /><br />This laundry list of PPS administration is out there. It'd be funny to think about how these people retain their jobs in tight times were it not for so many bona fide employees being fired.<br /><br />Why is media NOT asking about these decisions?<br />What is Mr.Campbell's background in all of this? Any relation to Bruce Campbell?Old Timernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-54374527596450215632011-06-24T11:20:17.015-04:002011-06-24T11:20:17.015-04:00Yes, a job description and monthly record of accom...Yes, a job description and monthly record of accomplishments would be great. And it would also help reveal instances where administrators were simply doing and redoing the same plans over and over again.Questionerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-49968247544524948232011-06-24T11:19:35.123-04:002011-06-24T11:19:35.123-04:00Spend any amount of time reading board minutes and...Spend any amount of time reading board minutes and you'll come to understand that consultants and researchers have raped this district, with the support of board members. After all, they approved it.<br />That said, I can't imagine any of this being good news for the average teacher. We rely on the tech department and in the past two years alone, their work--with outdated, inferior equipment--has been exemplary. We're trying to give our kids a modern education and we are going to take technology out of the equation?<br /><br />It's sad that so many investigative departments in local media have overlooked or turned a blind eye to PPS over the past five years. Taxpayers too are being raped.<br /><br />It's a sad time in PPS.<br />It's going to get worse, and the bloodsuckers are going to keep their jobs.Old Timernoreply@blogger.com