On another post Anonymous wrote:
"
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/02/10/Schools-Lane-looks-ahead-to-new-board/stories/201402100050
A few comments about and quotes from this P-G article today.
*The
district "expects" to run out of money in 2016. The teachers' union
contract expires in 2015. This is part of an old script used every time
a new contract is coming up. I can't wait to see what the PFT loses in
this new contract. Lane wants "some strong agreements in place to start
that process, not start it with some lingering issues."
Regarding
the new school board, she hopes that their reversing the previous
board's actions regarding TFA and closing Woolslair is "not a foretaste
of things to come." She "doesn't think having a new board necessarily
makes her life harder, just different." I hope it's "different" meaning
the new board will not just rubber stamp everything that comes out of
Bellefield. I hope they continue to evaluate and investigate every
initiative.
Regarding the new evaluation system that has become a
bone of contention, Lane "plans to go ahead with the tougher measures."
She said she meets regularly with Nina Esposito-Visgitis and she
"would like to "resolve" the teacher evaluation issue and "move ahead
and make it the kind of thing we really want it to be..." Well it
should be interesting to see if Nina sells the union short again and
gives in regarding this issue. I wouldn't be surprised if a "backroom"
deal is done quid pro quo trading stricter evaluation standards for
something in the upcoming contract. I guess we have to wait and see if
our union leader stands up and fights for our membership or sells us
down the river. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when these two meet for
discussions..."
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14 comments:
Quote from Lane:
"We're going to have to nail down execution around 'Whole Child, Whole Community.' That's huge."
She seems to be getting a little ahead of things. Before execution it is important to determine whether the new board agrees with the goals, conclusions and priorities that the consultants take in this report.
You know, it is shameful that the PG lost all journalistic integrity and now published PR pieces for the board.
Did anyone else see this article?
http://www.obamaeagle.org/top-stories/2014/02/08/across-pps-teachers-debate-worry-about-evaluations/
It is an incredible era when we should rely more on a school newspaper than the town rag for news.
Ms. Lane, 64, of Highland Park became superintendent on Jan. 1, 2011, and is asked "a lot" whether she is staying in the job, which now pays $230,000 a year. Last March, the school board reappointed her to a term through June 30, 2016.
She said her father's death has made her "a little self-reflective," so such a question hits her at a "bad time."
Hmmm….perhaps an exit is impending…or at least the door is being left open just in case...
"I'm pretty much taking it one year at a time. Health is something that can intervene at any time. ... Fortunately, I've been blessed. My health is reasonably good," she said.
$230,000 is an awful lot of blessing. Especially for the performance she has showed us. Only Harry Houdini could stand before us and watch that much vanish leaving nothing to show for it. Give her the hook!
Looking ahead...rumors rumors snow days new topic...some schools, and the students therein, are hearing many rumors about " not having to make up snow days" in past years, some student days because extra teacher days. Some schools of course claim " official word" What have you heard?
I read the Obama Eagle article and was very impressed. I hope someone sends a copy to the P-G and to Andy Sheehan so that they can see what real investigative reporting looks like. The paper is very hi-tech and comprehensive. Props to the school staff and students.
Speaking of rumors - I heard that there are PE staff cuts in the works. And if they do end up cutting any sports, they need to cut Mike Gavlik's (Director of Athletics) salary too.
Still, she would like to "resolve" the teacher evaluation issue and "move ahead and make it the kind of thing we really want it to be, to focus on how we're going to grow teacher practice."
I think the public needs the following two questions answered: How many teachers across the district were placed on an Improvement Plan followed by how many of those teachers were either terminated, resigned or retired? Until the district provides this type of data at the Legislative meeting so that the information can be recorded and a part of the minutes then and only then will the public have the necessary data to determine whether or not the districts true intent of the evaluation process is to grow teachers practice or provide a means to eliminate teachers.
We also need to have the data that indicates how many teachers with 20 or more years of experience have been placed on an Improvement Plan and how many of those were either terminated, resigned or retired. When the data for these two questions is shared then we will be able to determine if the evaluation systems goal is to grow a teachers practice or cut costs by targeting higher paid professionals in order to minimize employee costs.
10:30 makes a very simple case and perfect sense. Those of us who have never worked in a building and have no first hand knowledge need that kind of data to make a judgement on our own. Even that might not be the compete picture. I think many teachers may have retired as soon as they became eligible and know of a few who are missed by students.
Ann 6:58 has a valid point to consider. As I was nearing the end of my career, Administrators were beginning to do observations in teams. This tactic sent a message to teachers and their students. "We have you in our sites" My reason for retiring was for the continued healthcare. MR had already convinced Tarka to bring it to the table. Mr's goal was to eliminate it. Even though it was a benefit we negotiated in the 80's. (We began paying into healthcare in exchange for post retirement benefits) Roosevelt was under Gates' thumb on this. Microsoft employees don't get it, why should PPS. This was a labor issue that was addressed in the 50 million grant by Gates. The new contract had future retirees paying more for retirement healthcare. Something Tarka allowed. If I remember correctly, this was voted down. Tarka countered by doing a mail in ballot instead. It eventually passed. So, teachers like myself got out ASAP! I know this sounds so greedy to many of you, but at the end of the day, don't we all look out to save our own skin? Especially when you see your employer AND your union working together. Sometimes you get the elevator, other days you get the shaft.
I would like to add that teachers at the beginning of their career opted for less pay but a livable pension and health care benefits in retirement. Let's not forget in the late 70's our starting pay was only $6,999.00 as a 1st year PPS teacher with a BS. That salary was on an equal playing field with skilled workers in the general workforce.
Our college counterparts in other professions were hired at a higher starting wage. As a PPS teacher, we received incremental pay raises with the 10th year bump. However, it's critical to note that suburban districts around the Pittsburgh area may have had more steps but their ending salary after 35 years of service was substantially higher and therefore, their current pension benefits are higher than PPS teachers.
The Gates of the world have no concerns about health care or maintaining their daily standard of living which is so off the chart in comparison to the average teacher. I find it appalling that people of such means are always suggesting that the average Joe's health care and / or pension benefits are acceptable ways to minimize employee labor/retirement expenditures.
Starting pay in 1978-79 school year was 13,000. I remember so well as I was told this job was only worth 7,000 per year. As a professional with a BS Ed, I should do the job because I have a calling to teach, not for the money.
3:06 you are probably on target with amounts. In 1970, with a masters starting was 7,500.00 when i returned to the burgh, getting credit for a step took me to 11,000.00 in 1977-whooo! And while we didn't pay for healthcare -- " healthcare" in those days didn 't include things like well baby visits with immunizations -- an appt of about 65.00. No dental or vision either. Many teachers took summer jobs to survive-- in the end this did build social security too. So if the Gates- brains think that teachers/retired teachers are doing well-- it is because they cam through school after we stopped teaching history
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