Comments on: Teachers have no reason to complain

By: Teacher

Teacher — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:39:52 +0000

Part II However, the admistrative assistants are fortunate that they can get work in the private sector and remain in their chosen field. The same can be said for custodians, bus drivers, and many other certtified jobs. Teachers don't have that option. We are public school teachers. We serve the community by educationing its future citizens. We are here for you Ramona and we are here for your kids. We studied hard, got our degrees and continue our training/education regularly to give the students the best possible shot at life. We are willing to give up some of our income, but make it fair. The Superintendent wants what he wants and he will not budge. That is not fair or reasonable and it does not acknowlege any grattitude for the high student scores that the teachers have worked so hard to bring about.

By: Teacher

Teacher — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:38:12 +0000

The teachers in the District all have BA's and most have MA's A teacher having thought 20 or more years with those qualifications makes less than $5000 per month after taxes and deductions. What other field do you know of where a college graduate with 20 years experiance would be ok with less than $5000 a month. It is unfortunate the certified have had their pay cut. They are just in much in need of retaining their income in these hard economic times.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:33:18 +0000

It sounds like Donna is an incredibly dedicated individual. I'm sure there are many others teachers in this district that go far above and beyond as she does and they should be applauded. While I do not want to minimize her efforts or the amount of time and energy she DONATES to RUSD I think it's only fair that we know some facts about the situation. Donna does not mention that the teachers in this district have already negotiated 3.5 hours/week to collaborate, prepare lesson plans, grade assignments etc. In elementary they send the students home early one day a week. In middle and high school they get a couple of free periods every week for this purpose. Is it enough? Maybe or maybe not but to be fair they do receive some time during school hours to prepare. There are 180 teaching school days per year. If a teacher is required to move from one classroom to the other over the summer months they are paid for their time to move and set up their new classroom so I assume Donna was paid for at least part of those 8 days she spent settling in over the summer. It is also relevant to know that she was moved from the elementary to the middle and high school when the music program was cut at the elementary level and the middle school music teacher was let go. I'm sure the 4 day conference (paid for by RUSD) was helpful in her transition to her new position. Again Mrs. Ransdell, we thank you for the passion you bring to you job. It is clearly a labor of love.

By: Donna Ransdell

Donna Ransdell — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 02:39:47 +0000

It is always annoying to teachers when we hear "you only work 8 months a year", "you only work 7 hours a day", or "you get three months off." Here's how I spent my "3 months off" last summer: I spent the first few weeks, several hours a day, with teaching materials spread out across my dining room table, writing a curriculum for this year. Then I spent the rest of the hours of those days, glued to my computer, inputting material into the computer. (I happen to teach HS and MS choral music, so the software program that I became intimately familiar with, was Finale.)
While on a vacation with my husband, I took 4 days to attend a conference in the middle of July. This conference was for HS and MS choral directors. When I got home from the vacation, I took 8 days to move into my classrooms and get to know what was in it.
As for the days off, I spend many of my Friday evenings and Saturday mornings on school-related activities…so many that my husband is amazed when I am actually HOME. I frequently attend workshops and seminars on Saturday mornings, those designed for school music teachers. How many people in the private sector, give up their weekends for professional development and to bring students into performing situations, or to help raise badly needed funds for new music, a working stereo, and more?
Also, as Jane commented, many of us spend out of our own pockets to ensure that "our kids" (yours, really) have the advantages in school. Since September alone, I have parked out well over $500. How many people in the private sector have to pay for stuff for their own jobs, that isn't reimbursed?

By: D.Hammonds

D.Hammonds — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:05:25 +0000

You chose to work in the private sector, no one forced you. If you wanted to have your summers & other holidays off, that the rest of us don't get, then you too could have gone into that career field and became a teacher. You chose EMS so "take your lumps" when your job doesn't go the same as teaching. Telling someone that they should just take their "lumps", in this context, is a typical response of someone who is ignorant of the thing that that they criticize. How would you like to have a greater than 20% cut from your paltry EMT salary? Would you take it sitting down or speak up in your own defense? You are also a hypocrite, being a recipient of the education that teachers provided you. Because of the present economic conditions we are in it may be necessary for teachers salary to be temporarily reduced but you certainly do not have to rub it in their face by suggesting that they "take their lumps".

By: Jane Tanaka MD

Jane Tanaka MD — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 05:42:35 +0000

Part 2: As a self employed person, I do envy their health benefits and pension of teachers…. due to low investment rates,I have to put away half my income in order to match their retirement pensions.
Dont get me wrong,I hope they dont strike. I hope they compromise and take some work furlough days and a smaller cut in pay than proposed by the admministration. But we should not disrespect our teachers.
I wish that the other non administration staff had not been coerced into making such a sacrifice in their pay . They can afford the paycut even less than the teachers, and they are just as valued. We are all interdependent, and we cant afford to be apathetic.

By: Jane Tanaka MD

Jane Tanaka MD — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 05:41:00 +0000

Lead teachers in Ramona have 180 teaching days in the 2012-2013 academic calendar, and the average lead teacher’s salary is $58,000. Many work 12 hours a day or longer if you count preparation time, and time spent communicating with parents etc. That averages to about $26 dollars an hour. Not low wage, but not extravagant for the responsiblity and years of training/education necessary. ( There are some technical jobs iwith 2 year degrees that pay 60-70 K per year.) Teachers I know spend $1000 to $5000 a year out of their own pocket for supplies for their students. If a teacher happens to be a single parent of 3 kids, then the $4,800 per month (58K stretched over 12 months) is middle income or less.

By: jy

jy — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 23:14:45 +0000