kperry, You know what really burns me up? The fact that you even compared what happened at Boardman, Poland or Canfield to Mooney’s is wrong. The Boardman High School administrators called in the dogs to help find the drugs and then dealt with the students with the police. Administrator’s doing their jobs. Poland administrators also called the police to deal with a situation that called for not only school policy violations but legal ones. Both schools held students accountable for their actions and administrators did their jobs. At Mooney the administrators stood there and allowed the students to not only violate school policy but break laws. Administrators DID NOT DO THEIR JOBS. I don't think that your comparisons are the same. Mooney's administrators, coaches, teachers and parents are the problem. Kids will make mistakes but adults should make them learn from the mistake not encourage them.
The administrators' salaries are NOT part of the union contract. There is a totally different scale for administrators in most systems. Their salaries are based on MERIT - just like the PRIVATE sector.
I hope that you live in Poland Streetsmart because you would know that NOT everyone is upset with the schools system. Check the polling and see that the ones that voted this levy down and they are mainly living in the Mc Mansions.
As you have indicated no one knows why someone writes something. Your attacks on the writer are uncalled for -- she was an administrator and they are not under a union contract so you see your intelligence again is in question -- she did work on MERIT PAY!!!!!!! Your anger says it all -- you really DON'T know the FACTS. Also I will apologize for calling you an idiot - I was wrong for taking it down to that level - you are just ignorant of the facts.
So you want to attack the writer of this letter. I have had kids in her school for years. So these are the facts.
Carmella retired with 35 years of excellent service to the Poland School District. She worked for most of those years as both a part-time teacher and part-time principal meaning she received for most of her career 1/2 salary for teaching and 1/2 salary for administration. Oh and most of those years was as a kindergarten teacher. And if you read the paper at all you would KNOW that this wonderful woman that you are assuming is in her fifties is really 75 years old. So there you go you idiot. Also she doesn't have to get anyone’s ok to write a letter in defense of anyone. IF you think this wonderful retired teacher/administrator has the time to read and respond to these stupid posts then you really need your head examined. She has earned her retirement and has worked with the wonderful teachers of Poland. As a resident, and I have said this before, her service to our school system has been exemplary. She deserves the pay she received and I for one am proud that she served the Poland community as long as she did.
Charms you need to get a life and get off this site and do something constructive with your time instead of picking on individuals who, under the first amendment have the right to speak their minds.
How about the taxpayers thanking Carmella for working two jobs and saving them money for all those years. You really should KNOW what you are TALKING about before you open your keyboard up.
I am sick and tired of the high and mighty of the private sector thinking that they know what and how a teacher does their job. You don't have a clue because you DON'T DO THE JOB and until you DO, you do not have any right to judge them.
Hurt feelings?? Are you kidding me? Treated like the rest of you? Where are you living? Teachers have felt the same economic downturns as everyone else; they don't live in a bubble. They too have had wages frozen and paid more for their health care. I truly believe that the lies that the private sector is hurling at public employees is WRONG. The private sector employees have had it good for so long but you DIDN'T hear the teachers complaining about it. They simply continued to teach with raises of 1 or 2% when private employees were getting 5 and 10% raises. Teachers don't respect the US, where do you get that??? I am unsure of your true motivation for your posting but I believe that you just have no empathy for the teachers. They are the ones that have brought food and supplies (out of their own funds) to help their students that can't afford it because of the economic downturn. They are the ones that have given Christmas gifts for the families that couldn't afford them or food to the family that really needs it. Or the child that forgets their lunch money on a regular basis and the teacher gives them money? Is the taxpayer so blind? Who do you think pays for the tissues children use in the classroom or the decorations that hang on the walls? The teachers pay for this out of their own pockets.
What kind of response do you want from teachers? Most districts in this county have taken wage freezes and increased contributions to their health care. I live in Boardman and I know that these teachers have not had a raise in over 3 years and have paid more into their health care. How often are teachers suppose to thank the taxpayer, every time they get a pay check? What about the taxpayer supporting the teachers at some point in their careers? Tenure is their so that teachers can’t be accused of wrong doing without just cause because a parent or student is angry with their grade. Learn about tenure and the reason it was put in place in the first part before you rip it apart.
Maybe the US should value teachers enough to pay them a decent wage for the amount of work they really do and the amount of their own money they put into their jobs. Maybe you in the private sector should send some money to your local school district to help pay for the lunches of the kids that really can’t afford lunch because they just don’t meet the poverty level but have no money for lunches. The private employees in this country don’t know how it is help a student whose father just die figure out where the money is going to come from to pay for the funeral and then the teachers in the school pitch in and help – where is the private employee?
I am not glossing over anything. You as a non-supporter of teachers decided that anything teachers achieve or get is wrong. And you don't know it all because in fact teachers are required to be mentored their first year. As I stated before: "I pay a younger professional less because they don't have the experience or in some instances additional education. And yes experience and additional education matters in all professions." I will bet you that the "cardiac surgeon" you referred to makes twice as much as the state licensed first year "cardiac surgeon." You arguments don't stand up. You really don't know the demands of a teacher’s job and I believe that you are so closed minded that whatever I say will never change your mind. In regards to the salary increase of the teachers in Poland/Canfield, I checked the ones that you indicated in Poland and the raises were 9% over three years including step increases. Most of the contracts that you speak of were signed by the BOE prior to the financial upheaval in this country. I am sure that you think that both the BOE and the teachers should have known that the bankers of this country - the ones that get paid more for their experience and education - should have known that hard times were coming. I believe that those same teachers are now freezing their steps and wages for two years. What do you want from these teachers? Blood. They too pay taxes, buy products and work hard. It is pompous people that think otherwise.
What do you do for a living? I pay a younger professional less because they don't have the experience or in some instances additional education. And yes experience and additional education matters in all professions. I sure don’t want to be the first open heart patient of a doctor, I would rather be the 500th. And yes there are some really good beginning teachers, doctors, dentist, auto mechanics, store clerks, plumbers and brick layers but as they gain experience they become better at their professions and thus should earn more. So teachers that have been in education for 20 years can be better teachers than beginning ones. I will also agree that there are first year teachers that can be good but they as with doctors, lawyers, dentists, brick layers etc. need additional education and experience. Those beginning teachers, doctors, lawyers, dentists, brick layers, etc usually mentors and other experienced professionals to help them along the way. Maybe paulparks you should investigate how other professions pay their experienced employees – I bet you the more experienced get paid more. So why do you feel that teachers don’t have the same rights?
I just can't understand why there is such an issue with teacher's salaries and pensions. First of all, beginning teachers salaries are about $32,000 a year. Out of the $32,000 they pay 10% into their own pension plans with their employer paying 14%, so as with MOST PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES an employer is meeting or exceeding their 401K contributions, teachers pay 5 to 10% of their healthcare coverage, which is similar to PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES and teachers ONLY GET PAID FOR DAYS THEY WORK. Teachers DO NOT GET PAID VACATIONS. Teachers work 185 days a year but most teachers work days after school closes and prior to the first days of school in August without pay. But as people on here keep saying they don't work enough - well let’s see 365 days a year with 104 of those days weekends, now we are down to 261 days, 11 legal holidays now we are at 250, each member of the private sector gets at least 2 weeks minimum vacation, 10 days, we are now at 240, ok you got me teachers work less than you do 240 - 185 = 55 days more. That is right, Private Sector works more days but wait Teachers have PROFESSIONAL degrees so let's compare them to say Doctor's or Lawyer's -- oh ok -- Doctor's are closed at least one day a week - ok I see Teacher’s work 3 days less than Doctor's, Dentist's or Lawyer's. But of course you see us as public employees and not Professionals but we have the education of a Lawyer or a Doctor. But again we are just UNION people but the Doctor’s have the AMA, which is their professional association, which lobbies for the Doctors and the Lawyer’s have the Bar Association, again their professional association so the teacher’s have their professional associations but the State of Ohio does not value teachers as much as Doctors and Lawyers.
Do you realize that a teacher that does work summers pays into social security but will NEVER collect what has been paid into the system. But the PRIVATE SECTOR can have a company pension and collect SOCIAL SECURITY. Is that fair? I am a human resource manager in the PRIVATE SECTOR and these are the real facts. A person at my PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANY with 35 years experience and a MASTER”S DEGREE would make well over $180,000 with a pension (fully funded by the company), healthcare with NO contribution, car allowance, phone allowance, 5 weeks’ vacation and many other perks. I want my child’s teacher to make a good wage, it is only fair! They worked hard for their education and MOST teachers are excellent at their jobs. As for the author of this letter, she was and is one of the most extraordinary individuals and teachers in Poland. Her dedication of over 35 years is outstanding. I only wish that she would have stayed for one more year. She was and is well worth her salary and pension.
Mooney investigation to take up to 2 weeks
kperry,
You know what really burns me up? The fact that you even compared what happened at Boardman, Poland or Canfield to Mooney’s is wrong. The Boardman High School administrators called in the dogs to help find the drugs and then dealt with the students with the police. Administrator’s doing their jobs. Poland administrators also called the police to deal with a situation that called for not only school policy violations but legal ones. Both schools held students accountable for their actions and administrators did their jobs. At Mooney the administrators stood there and allowed the students to not only violate school policy but break laws. Administrators DID NOT DO THEIR JOBS. I don't think that your comparisons are the same. Mooney's administrators, coaches, teachers and parents are the problem. Kids will make mistakes but adults should make them learn from the mistake not encourage them.
December 19, 2011 at 7:34 p.m. permalink suggest removal
In defense of teachers
Streetsmart
The administrators' salaries are NOT part of the union contract. There is a totally different scale for administrators in most systems. Their salaries are based on MERIT - just like the PRIVATE sector.
I hope that you live in Poland Streetsmart because you would know that NOT everyone is upset with the schools system. Check the polling and see that the ones that voted this levy down and they are mainly living in the Mc Mansions.
June 7, 2011 at 1:08 p.m. permalink suggest removal
In defense of teachers
Charms,
As you have indicated no one knows why someone writes something. Your attacks on the writer are uncalled for -- she was an administrator and they are not under a union contract so you see your intelligence again is in question -- she did work on MERIT PAY!!!!!!!
Your anger says it all -- you really DON'T know the FACTS.
Also I will apologize for calling you an idiot - I was wrong for taking it down to that level - you are just ignorant of the facts.
June 7, 2011 at 12:04 p.m. permalink suggest removal
In defense of teachers
Charms
I guess when presented with the facts you are unable to debate this issue with any intelligence. .
June 7, 2011 at 9:56 a.m. permalink suggest removal
In defense of teachers
Charms --
So you want to attack the writer of this letter. I have had kids in her school for years. So these are the facts.
Carmella retired with 35 years of excellent service to the Poland School District. She worked for most of those years as both a part-time teacher and part-time principal meaning she received for most of her career 1/2 salary for teaching and 1/2 salary for administration. Oh and most of those years was as a kindergarten teacher. And if you read the paper at all you would KNOW that this wonderful woman that you are assuming is in her fifties is really 75 years old. So there you go you idiot. Also she doesn't have to get anyone’s ok to write a letter in defense of anyone. IF you think this wonderful retired teacher/administrator has the time to read and respond to these stupid posts then you really need your head examined. She has earned her retirement and has worked with the wonderful teachers of Poland. As a resident, and I have said this before, her service to our school system has been exemplary. She deserves the pay she received and I for one am proud that she served the Poland community as long as she did.
Charms you need to get a life and get off this site and do something constructive with your time instead of picking on individuals who, under the first amendment have the right to speak their minds.
How about the taxpayers thanking Carmella for working two jobs and saving them money for all those years. You really should KNOW what you are TALKING about before you open your keyboard up.
GROW UP CHARMS
June 7, 2011 at 9:28 a.m. permalink suggest removal
In defense of teachers
StreetSmart
I am sick and tired of the high and mighty of the private sector thinking that they know what and how a teacher does their job. You don't have a clue because you DON'T DO THE JOB and until you DO, you do not have any right to judge them.
Hurt feelings?? Are you kidding me? Treated like the rest of you? Where are you living? Teachers have felt the same economic downturns as everyone else; they don't live in a bubble. They too have had wages frozen and paid more for their health care. I truly believe that the lies that the private sector is hurling at public employees is WRONG. The private sector employees have had it good for so long but you DIDN'T hear the teachers complaining about it. They simply continued to teach with raises of 1 or 2% when private employees were getting 5 and 10% raises. Teachers don't respect the US, where do you get that??? I am unsure of your true motivation for your posting but I believe that you just have no empathy for the teachers. They are the ones that have brought food and supplies (out of their own funds) to help their students that can't afford it because of the economic downturn. They are the ones that have given Christmas gifts for the families that couldn't afford them or food to the family that really needs it. Or the child that forgets their lunch money on a regular basis and the teacher gives them money? Is the taxpayer so blind? Who do you think pays for the tissues children use in the classroom or the decorations that hang on the walls? The teachers pay for this out of their own pockets.
What kind of response do you want from teachers? Most districts in this county have taken wage freezes and increased contributions to their health care. I live in Boardman and I know that these teachers have not had a raise in over 3 years and have paid more into their health care. How often are teachers suppose to thank the taxpayer, every time they get a pay check? What about the taxpayer supporting the teachers at some point in their careers? Tenure is their so that teachers can’t be accused of wrong doing without just cause because a parent or student is angry with their grade. Learn about tenure and the reason it was put in place in the first part before you rip it apart.
Maybe the US should value teachers enough to pay them a decent wage for the amount of work they really do and the amount of their own money they put into their jobs. Maybe you in the private sector should send some money to your local school district to help pay for the lunches of the kids that really can’t afford lunch because they just don’t meet the poverty level but have no money for lunches. The private employees in this country don’t know how it is help a student whose father just die figure out where the money is going to come from to pay for the funeral and then the teachers in the school pitch in and help – where is the private employee?
May 27, 2011 at 1:56 p.m. permalink suggest removal
In defense of teachers
I am not glossing over anything. You as a non-supporter of teachers decided that anything teachers achieve or get is wrong. And you don't know it all because in fact teachers are required to be mentored their first year. As I stated before: "I pay a younger professional less because they don't have the experience or in some instances additional education. And yes experience and additional education matters in all professions." I will bet you that the "cardiac surgeon" you referred to makes twice as much as the state licensed first year "cardiac surgeon." You arguments don't stand up. You really don't know the demands of a teacher’s job and I believe that you are so closed minded that whatever I say will never change your mind.
In regards to the salary increase of the teachers in Poland/Canfield, I checked the ones that you indicated in Poland and the raises were 9% over three years including step increases. Most of the contracts that you speak of were signed by the BOE prior to the financial upheaval in this country. I am sure that you think that both the BOE and the teachers should have known that the bankers of this country - the ones that get paid more for their experience and education - should have known that hard times were coming. I believe that those same teachers are now freezing their steps and wages for two years. What do you want from these teachers? Blood. They too pay taxes, buy products and work hard. It is pompous people that think otherwise.
May 24, 2011 at 1:45 p.m. permalink suggest removal
In defense of teachers
paulparks
What do you do for a living? I pay a younger professional less because they don't have the experience or in some instances additional education. And yes experience and additional education matters in all professions. I sure don’t want to be the first open heart patient of a doctor, I would rather be the 500th. And yes there are some really good beginning teachers, doctors, dentist, auto mechanics, store clerks, plumbers and brick layers but as they gain experience they become better at their professions and thus should earn more. So teachers that have been in education for 20 years can be better teachers than beginning ones. I will also agree that there are first year teachers that can be good but they as with doctors, lawyers, dentists, brick layers etc. need additional education and experience. Those beginning teachers, doctors, lawyers, dentists, brick layers, etc usually mentors and other experienced professionals to help them along the way. Maybe paulparks you should investigate how other professions pay their experienced employees – I bet you the more experienced get paid more. So why do you feel that teachers don’t have the same rights?
May 24, 2011 at 11:06 a.m. permalink suggest removal
In defense of teachers
I just can't understand why there is such an issue with teacher's salaries and pensions. First of all, beginning teachers salaries are about $32,000 a year. Out of the $32,000 they pay 10% into their own pension plans with their employer paying 14%, so as with MOST PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES an employer is meeting or exceeding their 401K contributions, teachers pay 5 to 10% of their healthcare coverage, which is similar to PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES and teachers ONLY GET PAID FOR DAYS THEY WORK. Teachers DO NOT GET PAID VACATIONS. Teachers work 185 days a year but most teachers work days after school closes and prior to the first days of school in August without pay. But as people on here keep saying they don't work enough - well let’s see 365 days a year with 104 of those days weekends, now we are down to 261 days, 11 legal holidays now we are at 250, each member of the private sector gets at least 2 weeks minimum vacation, 10 days, we are now at 240, ok you got me teachers work less than you do 240 - 185 = 55 days more. That is right, Private Sector works more days but wait Teachers have PROFESSIONAL degrees so let's compare them to say Doctor's or Lawyer's -- oh ok -- Doctor's are closed at least one day a week - ok I see Teacher’s work 3 days less than Doctor's, Dentist's or Lawyer's. But of course you see us as public employees and not Professionals but we have the education of a Lawyer or a Doctor. But again we are just UNION people but the Doctor’s have the AMA, which is their professional association, which lobbies for the Doctors and the Lawyer’s have the Bar Association, again their professional association so the teacher’s have their professional associations but the State of Ohio does not value teachers as much as Doctors and Lawyers.
Do you realize that a teacher that does work summers pays into social security but will NEVER collect what has been paid into the system. But the PRIVATE SECTOR can have a company pension and collect SOCIAL SECURITY. Is that fair? I am a human resource manager in the PRIVATE SECTOR and these are the real facts. A person at my PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANY with 35 years experience and a MASTER”S DEGREE would make well over $180,000 with a pension (fully funded by the company), healthcare with NO contribution, car allowance, phone allowance, 5 weeks’ vacation and many other perks. I want my child’s teacher to make a good wage, it is only fair! They worked hard for their education and MOST teachers are excellent at their jobs. As for the author of this letter, she was and is one of the most extraordinary individuals and teachers in Poland. Her dedication of over 35 years is outstanding. I only wish that she would have stayed for one more year. She was and is well worth her salary and pension.
May 23, 2011 at 6:19 p.m. permalink suggest removal