I wrote an article today for The Daily Norwalk, "Teachers' Union Will Not Renegotiate Contract." I interviewed Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, for the story who is unequivocal about not reopening the contract. Our photographer took a good photo of Mr. Mellion. You can see the resolve in his eyes. Check it out.
I am curious, though. Do all teachers feel the way that Mr. Mellion does? What do you think of Mr. Mellion's line in the sand stance?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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The teachers union or maybe just its president is a dinosaur and we are watching them or him cause their demise. Raises every year guaranteed, fabulous insurance and retirement, right, they live in the real world.
ReplyDeleteIt is not as wonderful as you may think. We spend a lot of our own money to provide for the things the city can not afford to give our kids WITHOUT BEING REINBURSED! I spend over $2000 a year for my students (snacks, rewards, notebooks, pencils, etc.)
ReplyDeleteOur new insurance is not so hot--lots of complaints about that--which saved the city lots of money.
Our retirement fund is contributed to by us--not the general public--so don't think the city is paying that for us.
I personally think that a new contract was negotiated in the fall—so there is no reason that less than 6 months later there are things being asked of teachers and our union. Doesn’t make sense.
Let’s cut from the top—people are not visible with kids or teachers. Increasing class sizes is also not the answer—we are already a district in need. This will not help that!
It sure sounds wonderful in the Jan. issue of the union's Vanguard newsletter: "Norwalk teachers have medial, dental, vision, and life insurance coverages and benefits that are unparalleled in each category and collectively in the state and nation... As of this date, the Norwalk teacher contract settlement for the period 9/1/10 through 8/31/13 ranks number one in the state... For the past several years Norwalk's average teacher salaries have been among the top three for the State of Connecticut."
ReplyDeleteTeachers contribute to their insurance, it is not at no cost to them. The contract is new, the time for negotiations has passed. The board should have negotiated when it was time to instead of forcing arbitration. There is money to be saved in other places. Why is it the teachers always get the blame and the criticism? Start looking a the top!
ReplyDeleteWe have no leadership . . . a disfunctional and divided Board of Education, an interim superintendent (who is doing his best) . . . we need some leadership to come up with a solution -- where every stakeholder in the school system shares in the pain!
ReplyDeleteI am a teacher in Norwalk, and beleive me I didn't get into teaching because of the money! I have spent years in college to get to the level I am now, no tuition reinbursement as is often the case in the private sector. But that is not the point. For many of us, not opening the contract is not about giving back but is about the opening of the contract. If it is opened now it will be expected that we renegotiate all the time. If that happenes, they will never look for savings in other places they will always look to the teachers to give back. The board was not willing to negotiate at the time they should have instead forcing the contract to binding arbitration and the new contract is the result of that. The economy hasn't changed since the contract was agreed to. The board blew it. They had the chance to negotiate something different and they didn't take it. Don't ask us for a re-do now. If we do, we will be expected to from now on. Look harder at Central Office, money is there. If the general public only knew what really went on there, and I am sure teachers don't even know half of it!
ReplyDeleteone more thought...don't think that just because I am a teacher that I do not feel the strain of the economy, my husband is not a teacher. When times were good and teacher salaries were very low compared to other industries, I would hear from other people that I could have gotten my MBA instead of a Master's in Education, that I chose teaching b instead of another career. Now that the table has turned, why should I give anything back, something that teachers have worked long and hard for?
ReplyDeleteAs a parent I am sure that we need to look at admiminstartors and office staff. My child's school had 2 secretaries that are usually chit chatting and having a grand time instead of working hard--do we need both??? How AP at teh elementary school? Can;t they share them like was the case a few years back?? A few years back there were math coaches put itno place (not sure what age group)--can we cut those?? Teachers work hard,on the front line every day--don't punish themfor an error tha that theboard of ed made....they negotiated teheir contract ONLY 5 months ago--this is uncalled for to try to take away from them. It would be a different story if this were have occurred 3 years ago before we started these fiscal issues. FAIR IS FAIR!
ReplyDeleteIf you think teachers have such easy jobs and make sure great money for what they do--TRY IT!!
ReplyDeleteI have spent nearly $200 of my own money this year just on paper for my classroom because that is no longer provided due to last year's budget cuts...Paper is minimal and once it is gone you are on your own.....so yes my raise will go directly back into the school.....buying snacks for my students that can not afford them, buying paper to make copies, pencils for students that do not have supplies, books for my classroom libraries since I have not receieved new books from the district in nearly 1.5 years....would you like me to continue?
ReplyDeleteThe unions have become a political scapegoat. Look at it from Mellion's stand point. He puts long hours into research to come to the negotiating table ready and well prepared. Well prepared meaning he was fully aware of the economic climate. The teacher's give backs were built into the contract. The contract was finalized and life went on. Now the politicians have to assert themselves so when they're grilled at election time they can brag how "I reigned in spending" "I made the tough decisions" It would look a lot better now if you all just owned up and said look, "We screwed up." We gutted central office not taking into consideration who would take over the needed responsibilities . We didn't do our homework and overextended ourselves on the teacher's contract.Why don't we sit down and stop pointing fingers and have a conversation. Let's talk about what's best for the kids. After that we all work together to figure out how to best allocate our resources to achieve our goal... and then I woke up.
ReplyDeleteAs an educator, I too have spent money on my classes, bought supplies, made cookies, provided families with food at holidays, bought books for kids, and I could go on. I will say I think the leadership of both the NFT and NEA need to go. We need leadership committed to kids, and not egos, and creating salaries for themselves that are unconscionable. Our NFT president gets a big salary. What does he do? It is apparent he picks and chooses the meetings he wants to attend. He said his goal was to visit all the schools during the year, and admitted he only made 4. What are our dues going to?
ReplyDeleteWE all have to give back. If they give furloughs no one would get hurt in the long run. I like my profession, and I will continue to work hard, long hours, and don't mind doing wht is right for kids. I am willing to take furlough and hope that colleagues would do the same.
I am willing to take furlough. I am a NASA member. Why do we let the Union Presidents speak for the membership on this? I'm sure there are others who would agree to take furlough in order to spare colleagues' jobs and help close the budget gap. We have 2 men taking a hard line on this--Mellion and Ditrio. Have they even had an open dialogue with their membership to see if their views on the issues are what the membership wants to do? No, they don't care. They want to be stubborn and engage in a power struggle against the city and the boe.
ReplyDeleteNew teacher here--- my second job is tight because of the economy (I am limo driver at night and on weekends)-- so I can't afford to take a furlough.
ReplyDeleteLike lots of my friends, I'm struggling, so I really need that step raise for next year. I wish I could work for a lot less, but I'm not independently wealthy.
The one thing that has me curious about this whole entire debate is why it's ok for the teachers to make a sacrifice but not for the taxpayers (I've which I'm also one because I own a car and live in Norwalk).
I am a parent and don't think the teacher's salaries, benefits, retirement or anything else should be cut. These teachers work HARD and are dedicated to our children. I volunteer in our school and have seen first hand the work that the teachers put into our children, their own money that they spend on critical resources and the patience that they display in making sure that every childs needs are met. BRAVO to our teachers - don't take away the little they have. Make cuts in administration instead!
ReplyDeleteNorwalk has some of the highest real estate taxes in Fairfield County and our schools reputation drives down our real estate values. Anyone who thinks Norwalk taxpayers haven't made sacrifices is just wrong. Do not increase my taxes.
ReplyDelete4:27 You hit the nail on the head. People who do not volenteer in their children's classrooms should to see what teachers face day in and day out.
ReplyDeleteTake away from the administrators who are making the making the big bucks without spending it on the kids.
Here is a solution:
ReplyDeleteMake cuts in administration instead! Do we need so many coaches and assistant prinicpals? Why can't an elementary prinicipal who makes 150K run a school on their own? (yes 150K)!!
Also, what do the secretaries do? Someone noted 2 per school: what do they do since most principals write their own emails and letters to the school population, there are automated phone systems with voicemail in each school (some schools don't even have their secretaries anser the phone), etc........what do they do anyway??
I would love to see their money go to the kids!
The coaches alone are $1 million of the budget if you include insurances, maybe more. These are senior teachers.
ReplyDeleteIt is encouraging and welcomed to see the teachers and parents come online and get involved.
ReplyDeleteGive a kid a chance.
Why are we not recycling at Marvin? I thought this was supposed to help save money, and yet, the custodians just dump the recycling into the garbage cans at the end of the day. Even my kids are disturbed by the lack of recycling at lunch. We are NOT setting good examples of stewardship..
ReplyDeleteMost teachers work hard and many teachers contribute to the purchase of supplies and extra-curricular activities for children whose parents cannot. I do not want to bash teachers in any way.
ReplyDeleteIt is common place for insurance plans to change yearly due to experience ratings. Private sector employees have no say but are typically thankful for any insurance coverage.
Please take a look at the union propaganda that is published The language they use is vile and portrays the taxpayer (i.e. Norwalk Community) as evil and untrustworthly.
If you were lucky enough to get a copy of the March 17th FOCUS, you would read headlines such as "Work Is Not Supposed to Hurt", "So Now Who's Being Unreasonable" and more.
From these documents we learn that although the insurance plan changed and it fortunately provided a savings for the City -- there were still several several improvements to the plan that benefited the union. Wouldn't this suggest a win win situation? Instead, the union newsletter would suggest that Norwalk taxpayers should "pay" for having had to change the Health Plan even though it is beneficial to its employees.
A couple of facts:
The average private sector employeee pays about $500 -$700 a month to a cover their family for health insurance. This does not include dental or vision. Co-payments average $20-$45 per visit.
Most private employers change their health plans every year to take advantage of experience ratings. Private industry employees must accept what is offerred to them.
The high paying investment banking firms that teachers often mention as potential employers do not hire from state colleges or from MA/MS programs from Sacred Heart. Unless you are from one of the more prestigious universities or colleges in the US, forget the high paying entry salary. These jobs also require a 60-80 hour a week committment.
Most teachers probably start their careers at a higher salary that their true counterparts in private industry. My guess is that this is because they actually are trained in a professional. I would further suggest that the differential that results after several years of employment is a result of increases based on personal performance - something that unforunately our union does not allow.
Let's mention quality of life issues. I believe a teacher is who new parent may be entitled to a year's leave, 2 years leave with a quarantee of job at the school they are on leave from and three years from the NPS. A professional in any non union field is entitled to 12 weeks off.
And oh, for the teachers who don't trust their colleagues in other schools to teach their children and demand daycare at their place of employment - the only company I am aware of that provides daycare has a 3 year waiting period.
No I am not bashing teachers. I respect what they do and believe that they should be protected against loosing their jobs due to random decisions by administrators.
I do believe that many of our esteemed teachers need a reality check.
Our previous board failed our community and I don't have that much confidence in this board.
Does any of the BOE read any of these comments as written? There are some very revealing ideas and comments within this entire website to which I think someone the BOE should address or at least look into for further internal discussion. Perhaps a reward should go to the most creative and successful ideas to cut expenses at schools without axing heads or compacting kids tighter in their classes.
ReplyDeleteMarvin is not the only elementary school not recycling......does any school in Norwalk recycle?
ReplyDeleteI hope the Board of Ed is reasing these blog postings....great info!!
Every school does not need an intervention specialist now that there is a social worker in every building.Downtown is a wasteland of taxpayer money. Can anyone on the board account for all the positions at central office including secretaries? Any duplication of services? Start looking at the downtown administration.
ReplyDeleteI am curious myself to see what positions there are downtown and how much money is being paid to them. Board of Ed, please itemize this for us.
ReplyDeleteWill Dr. Marks be the highest paid employee in Norwalk.....coming in with NO experience as a super? That just doesn't seem right!
Cut from abaove...you can always reinstate the positions down the road, if need be.....no curriculums need to be revamped at this point, training is at a hault (no $ for PD days other than the ones that are scheduled on the teacher's calendar) so get rid of administartors who will not impact the kids.
ReplyDeleteRecycling seems like a logical way to spend less money, and set a good example for the children.. why aren't schools required to do it, our school doesn't do it either. I have heard that the recycling bins get dumped into the trash RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CHILDREN, according to my child. What are we telling them!? But whenever I walk into school the admins are online talking about the latest news. BOE, are you hearing this?
ReplyDeleteNo recycling at the middle schools either.
ReplyDeleteWhat is going on????
Have the administrators who are not part of NASA renegotiated their contracts? Will NASA administrators renegotiate?
ReplyDeleteWhat is NASA?? I think that is a fair question about administrators .... they make A LOT of money and have AP, sectetaries, etc. to faciliate what they do. I know teachers make the bulk of the money on the budget, but they are on the front lines and there are alot of them....
ReplyDeleteRecycling was brought up last year by the teacher's union--but it has not been implemented as of yet as any high schoolor middle school in NOrwalk. What a waste! Then they want it from the teachers. ^ of my friends are teachers--they get abused by so many!
ReplyDeleteIMHO, here are the cuts I would make:
ReplyDelete-Assistant principals at smaller schools
-Some subject area administrators (not LA or Math)
-Director of Elementary Ed
-Some secretaries at CO
-Some Literacy Coaches, or at least change the job description so that the bad ones can be used elsewhere
-Some secretaries/clerks at the schools
-Some aides at the schools
This covers schools and central office cuts fairly.
But of course these are my cuts, not necessarily favored by the BoE.
This quoted from the NHS Feb 2010 Newsletter to students, FYI:
ReplyDelete· We spend $90.00 a ton to haul away our garbage.
· We receive $17.50 a ton from the recyclers for paper, plastic, cans and bottles...
Once we recycle paper and plastic from the Cafeteria, we will recycle even more. For every ton we take out of garbage and put in recycling we stand to save $76.50. That could add up to money better spent for our school.
WHY ARE WE NOT DOING THIS??? It's kind of like free money. Save the teachers. Save the programs. Get rid of the excess secretaries and administrators.
7:50 - There are two bargaining units called NASA. The one that represents board of education personnel is the Norwalk Association of Supervisors and Administrators (NASA). It is the union that includes all building administrators and all central office administrators except the superintendent, assistant superintendent, director of human relations, director of human resources and the finance director.
ReplyDeleteI am almost certain that teachers would be willing to give more - on top of the ongoing contributions they already make - IF the message were consistent re: the BOE's budget in jeopardy. However, what sort of message is given when we hear that new BlackBerry phones and their service are being purchased this year for both Principals and Vice Principals? Honestly, is not this frivolous purchase setting a conflicting precedent when teachers are being asked to open their contract.... again? Why on earth should teachers be expected to forego a raise when the BOE budget we are being asked to support sets aside a sizable sum for administrative raises? Ironically, it is the teachers who go above and beyond their own salaries to support their classroom: snacks, folders, spiral notebooks, markers, pens, paper for projects, books for their Workshop classroom library (all levels, all topics; many books need to be replaced annually), cartridges and personal computer upkeep to work at home (IEP reports, SRT reports, extensive lesson plans, website upkeep, Data records, responding to emails, copies at the office store when the school copiers are not available during prep time, packbacks and/or sneakers for those students who are in need, DVD's an CD's to enhance curriculum. These are just some ways teachers support Norwalk's students financially. Teachers do so because they are directly involved with students, unlike administrators. If it is true that we must tighten our financial belt with this year's budget, then let's focus on the real waste that continues to impact upon our children. The teachers have done, and continue to do, their part.
ReplyDeleteWhy do cuts constantly have to be made at the school level? We have administrators being paid at gross amounts in this economy. Have any of them opened their "contracts" and offered to give back or take a 0% raise? If the leaders of this district and city government stepped up and put thier necks out, I believe there would be a better attitude from all employees regarding budget trimming.
ReplyDeleteThe last few write ups have been great--I agree 100% with them. Let's cut from above. AP and principals make a lot of money--does each elemenatry school need an AP? (And by the way, these same administarotrs who make over 100K a year have bankers hours....in at 8 out by 4. Sounds great. And if you see them walking out, they are not carrying anything,.....unlike the teachers who I see leavign lugging home "stuff". Some even use little luggages with wheels. I love the school where my child attends, but I am angry at people who want teachers to giv emore. The already give alot.
ReplyDeleteWhy isn't anyone asking NASA to give back??
TO anon 7:02
ReplyDeleteThank you for opening the eyes of many people who do not see how much teachers do and spent for their kids.
Joan Glass is the person to talk to you about any AT concerns. She will take care of a "teacher" issue, but to say that is the reason to eliminate the program is terrible.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest child is not in AT but I believe that those studenst to get into the program should be. Plus, the stduenst have taken the test, so would they waste the money to have the second graders in Norwalk take 3 days of standarized tests and then not go forward with the program....that would be silly.
Is elemntary strings an area that may be cut?
ReplyDeleteCan someone from the board please respond....
It is a wonderful program where stduenst are given a chance to excel and learn music and to play an instrument. What a shame that would be.
So do we just take away all enrichemtns for elementary kids and pay the administartors more?? Eliminate some top guys or freeze their pay. Make them more accountable.....hearing that they all got blackberries in these economic time makes no sense. Board of Ed members did you know about this??
Steve, since you read these blogs can you please address how elementary studenst will be effected.....particularly with strings and AT. Also, a few points I am curious about: recycling (or a lack of), administrators and secretaries being cut, blackberries??
ReplyDeleteYou are a parent, not a politian and work with others to claimed to help us, so I curious to see what you think. I have faith in you!
I am hearbroken to read these posts and think about ANYTHING being cut from the teachers. I agree with the above posts, cut from the admin level. Here's a start.. on the Friday of the storm week, our school had only ONE admin in it. No principals. Lights were dark. And I would identify myself but for the fear of wrath, those who were supposed to show up did not. (We went to the playground that day at the school). SO let's cut the ones getting paid and not showing up, and protect our teachers who work without complaint.
ReplyDeleteMost of these posters sound like teachers who want to cut administrators pay before their own pay. teachers and administration should both take cuts. If they don't it gets taken from the kids. Its as simple as that.
ReplyDeleteThere is a way to cut assistant principals without losing them. It is to combine the literacy specialist's job with the assistant principal's job. Here are the specifics:
ReplyDelete-Eliminate the Literacy Specialists, paid by grant.
-Fund Assistant Principals for Instruction from the grant (yes, it can be done)
The Assistant Principal spends considerable time evaluating classroom teachers. What better person could there possibly be to direct professional development, supervise progress of the teachers...all based on the outcomes and needs stemming from evaluations?
Based on my educated opinion, it can be done.
Thats a very creative suggestion.
ReplyDeleteWonder if we can see some numbers on that.
I am surprised that no one has mentioned the fact that all administrators in Norwalk will be getting black berries with in the next few weeks. Hmmm...that doesn't seem like a budget that is in trouble!!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I posted on the other thread, given that some of you asked specific questions of me here, let me respond.
ReplyDeleteFirst, in the initial proposal that Supt. Nast prepared for DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY, there were no references to cutting AT or 3rd grade strings. Supt. Nast's cuts looked at ways to eliminate $3 Million from the budget which would spare most elementary school students from a direct consequence to their educations.
Secondly, someone asked about NASA (the administrators union and not the group that popularized Tang)-- their president has suggested that they will discuss working with the BOE on cost-savings.
Third, last year, elementary kids felt the hit of the budget cuts-- aides were greatly reduced. Also, high schools took a hit as well when deans were cut at the two largest high schools. My goal for this year is to avoid making any cuts that will harm children's educations.
That being said, depending how much we must cut from the original budget that was submitted to the BET, we will need to closely examine all programs with the goal of spending our money as wisely as possible, after we look at our of our administrative costs.
Steve, I am happy to see that it does not seem that elementary programs will be cut. The prents who wrote here have great ideas and concerns. The recycling and blackberry issues are great areas of concern from a tazpayers point of view. Pleae continue to keep us posted and THANK YOU! Remember our children are Norwalk's future....
ReplyDeleteWill the administrator's union agree to cuts only if their list of cuts is implemented?
ReplyDeleteMost importantly.....
Is this still another case of the 'union' representing only one person?
The teachers should be given all the support they need. Many are excellent teachers that truly want the best for the students. How would most of us feel if we had to supplement our employers' office as the teachers do their classrooms. Not the answer. We need to get back to value. Yes, value. Are some teachers worth the salary or are they burnt out and become lazy. Same with the support staff. If there is too much chit chatting or racing to the food closet or just plain neglecting the people that come in office (a certain HS take note)then perhaps it's time to take a close look at what the taxpayers are getting for their dollar. Not one of these posts addresses value. Do most of you believe that what we are spending per student and the end result of said expenditure is value? Come on. Let's take emotion out of this discussion and look at the economics.
ReplyDeleteOur teachers go above and beyond. We are parents at Brookside and have been so pleased with the wonderful teachers that we have had. If you are complaining about specific teachers then you need to address that specific situation and not vent here.
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that they earn what they get and deserve it. I also know (witnessing things first hand) that they spend A LOT of thei rown money for our kids. Increasing class sizes will hurt our kids more than it will hurt our teachers!
I just watched the most recent BOE meeting aired on cable. What a sad state of affairs! Steve Collarossi is one of the most refreshing individuals to have ever graced a board member's chair. Thank you, Steve.
ReplyDelete