As the BOE prepares to approve a budget for the 2011-2012 school year teachers and their unions have again become easy targets for board members and parents seeking to save money. Like last year, the Mayor, BET Chairman and education advocates like Lisa Thompson of Red Apples are calling for NPS employees to open up their contract and forego negotiated salary increases. Mayor Richard Moccia, Board of Estimation Chair Fred Wilms, and BOE Chair Jack Chiaramonte are talking about “shared sacrifice” which really means they want principals, teachers, and support staff to shoulder the taxpayers’ responsibility to properly fund Norwalk schools. (have a look at last year’s blog post on this subject).
Opening negotiated contracts is a big deal and not a good practice for a community that should honor its promises. Don’t we teach our children to try and honor their promises? It certainly shouldn’t be the knee jerk reaction as soon as budgets look tight. The budget process has just begun and there is still time to come up with possible savings. Remember last year? There may be a point later in the process when union members decide that cuts would hurt both their own employees and Norwalk kids. Even then there are more ways to garner savings than just a salary freeze—what about early retirement packages?
Let’s recall that the agreements now being challenged were negotiated in good faith between the unions and the BOE at a time when we already knew that the economy was at its lowest point in decades. The contracts were lauded by city officials for their prudence, raises were tempered against significant savings from new health care benefits. Many cuts that were on the table in 2009-10 budget were staved off because of those savings. (the real focus on unions should be on accountability measures and tenure)
The message from the district's leadership does not support across the board salary freezes. While Marks is freezing her salary, what about the rest of her team? The BOE sent the wrong message when it handed out 3 percent raises just this summer to the Assistant Superintendent and Director of Human Resources and gives the incoming CFO a salary of $175K which the district cannot arguably afford. Is it any wonder that union members balk at a wage freeze when many of the districts highest paid employees in Central Office haven’t taken a wage freeze?
Education budgets everywhere are in a period of contraction. There are few good choices and cuts are almost certain. However, the solution of first resort to our budget woes cannot be to go year after year to our school secretaries, classroom aides, and teachers and ask them to dip into their pocketbooks. If Norwalk wants to be a vibrant community with a strong school system that attracts the best teachers, the community has come up with creative funding solutions, increase revenue to the district, be more efficient, make cuts based on least impact to student achievement, consider increasing taxes, and negotiate solid contracts.
Monday, January 10, 2011
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The most important part of the current Education Chief controversy in NYC is that the new head of the public schools there is a businesswoman, NOT an educator. It is time to start running our schools like the business that they are and stop rewarding teachers who aren't doing their jobs. The most successful school in Norwalk right now, Side by Side, is a charter school whose teachers are NOT unionized. They are technology rich, all 6th through 8th graders have been given a laptop computer, they have Smart Boards in every classroom and 2 teachers to every class -- which all have less than 20 students. They were currently ranked 7th in the State for performance and improvement. They get far less per student from the State than our public schools and yet they get no local funding. They are doing great. They run their school like a business and demand excellence. We all need to watch and learn.
ReplyDeleteCombine CO positions! Let the Assistant Superintendent absorb the Director of Elementary Education position and combine subject area administrators where possible. It's a real possibility with no impact on kids.
ReplyDeleteMoina, your comments are powerfully stated and you have hit the nail on the head. Contracts, which were just negotiated in good faith, should not be reopened. The BOE knew the economic climate when they negotiated the teachers' contract. The new health plan for teachers is a huge cost savings to the BOE. How quickly everyone forgets what the teachers have done already in this contract to help this town.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct creative funding must occur and it must start at Central Office.
Let the Asst. Superintendant absorb the Dir. of Elem Ed position? The day Tony Daddona is put in charge of Elementary Education in Norwalk is the day I either send my kids to private school or put the house on the market. I agree there needs to be consolidation of positions in CO, but that is so far off the mark!
ReplyDelete2:18, where are you coming from? Do you understand that the current Director of Elementary Education person has NO previous experience in the elementary schools? If you do not support the consolidation of jobs, then at least support the elimination of the position of Director of Elementary Education. Perhaps one of the elementary principals could take on the role of Head Principal with a stipend.
ReplyDeleteWell said, the real focus should be on accountability and tenure. Add one and get rid of the other.
ReplyDeleteSo, effectively you're saying fire Carol Marinaccio, not eliminate the Dir. of Elementary Ed position? And you're saying the Marinaccio was not qualified, however you're not that she's doing a horrific job. All things being equal, Daddona is no light at the end of the tunnel.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we should get into individual job performance. If we need to eliminate CO position the Director of Elementary Ed could be combined with grants. This eliminates one position. Special Ed could reduce one position(still leaving a Director, Assistant director and two supervisors). Perhaps instructional positions of Social Studies and Science could be combined. This would save the district about 400,000 dollars.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago during a prior restructuring the math and science positions were combined . John Keogh, the Math specialist who retired last year left this district in good shape. We really did not need to fill that position and can most likely eliminate it now as well.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a "Head" or "Team Leader" Principal instead of the Director of Elementary Education. The "Team Leader Principal" could meet with Dr. Marks to bring Elementary School issues to the forefront. That's the creative, out of the box thinking that Fred Wilms was stating we needed at the PTOC meeting last week. There are principals who have a long history in this district and know the way things should be run.Let one of them take the helm( for a similar stipend that H.S. dept. chairs receive) instead of paying someone a huge salary for a job that didn't exist until recently.
Moina, I completely agree with everything you said.
ReplyDeleteMy child is a student at Brien McMahon, and the following is an excerpt from an e-mail that came from the Parents' Club last Thurs. 1/6:
"The Board of Estimate & Taxation (BET) and the Common Council will be setting the cap on spending in the next few weeks. The Board of Education is working on its budget.
There’s a GAP! This GAP can be minimized! Educational jobs and programs can be saved! The quality of our students' education can be maintained! IF.....ALL Norwalk Public School Employees Take a PAY FREEZE.
(Superintendent Susan Marks has already stated she will take no pay increase)
The average teacher, administrator and central office staff work hard and at the same time earn 2 and 3 times more in wages and benefits than the average Norwalk resident.
Raising taxes or laying off people is NOT the answer!
If you agree with employees taking a pay freeze, please come to tonight's meeting and send this message to the Board Of Education!!!"
My comment: According to city-data.com, for the 06850 area code in 2009, estimated median household income was $72,985, average household size 2.5 people (don't know how they calculated that one!). Educational attainment - 0.63% have a doctoral degree, 3.1% have a professional school degree, 10.6% master's degree, 22.4% bachelor's degree.
A much higher percentage of teachers and administrators hold bachelor's and advanced degrees than the average Norwalk resident, so I hardly think that it's unfair that these school system employees earn 2 and 3 times more than the average Norwalk resident.
Good points 4:54 but household income and individual income are 2 different data points and one can source multiple websites that quote income statistics. But I believe the point being made by the BMHS Parents Club was to HIGHLIGHT the average income and household property that average folks in Norwalk can afford, as that represents the community that NPS serves and from which it relies on to make its payroll. Compared to our wealthier neighbors, Norwalkers contribute more of their income towards education than towns with higher incomes like Darien, Wilton or Westport. FYI - Education takes up about 60% of the overall city budget.
ReplyDeleteThe point was never to say that teachers or principals are not WORTH their salaries. Personally, I think that we should pay EFFECTIVE teachers and adminstrators more!
But as cities and towns across the US have had declining property values, fewer home sale transactions and foreclosures, not to mention residents who have seen their own paychecks frozen or cut or lost altogether in the private sector, cities are now struggling to make the public playroll. Last week, the Supt in Wilton announced that they will have to lay off between 40-50 teachers! NY and NJ have been laying off as well.
A 'pay freeze' for staff coupled with a 'pay to play' for parents was a way of trying to MINIMIZE staff lay offs. Nothing more.
There are a host of other REFORM issues that include educational leadership, academic rigor, tenure, professional development, and teacher evaluations to name but a few. But all of these things will cost MORE money and until we figure out how to trust one another and work together OR the economy improves, we're all going to have to just suck it up.
The adults don't suffer....the kids do.
I believe Dr. Marks is an honest broker and has overseen the most transparent budget process that Norwalk has seen in years. We'll just have to see what the Common Council and BET come back with for the tax rate. But they have a daunting task, as they are going to have to convince 80% of a community that is NOT in the NPS school system to pony up during these tough times if we want to maintain the status quo. I wish them luck.
Moina you bring up a good point, the teachers contract is new this year and was negotiated in this bad economy. It is very easy to ask them to give back now and not look for savings in other places. 4:54 brings up a good point too, if teachers have a higher level of education than the average Norwalk resident, they should be making more money. Why is it we always look for the easy way out? Teachers are expected to obtain at least a Master's degree paid for out of their own pocket, why shouldn't they be compensated for that, and anything beyond that?
ReplyDeleteBOE are you reading this? There are some creative ideas here! Look at job consolidation at CO to save money. It works in other districts, why not ours?
ReplyDelete"Teachers are expected to obtain at least a Master's degree". Really? Oh if only that were a half truth. To get to teach, the requirements are not clearly defined. Many do not have more than an Associates, if only we could get teachers in the claasroom with masters degrees in education. I once met a math teacher recently form another district, he never taught in his life of 63 years. He had a doctorate in molecular science and computer science. Took the job because of being laid of from a research arm of a large bio research company. He hated teaching and kids and the kids didnt think to highly of him either. So putting an emphasis on credentials in no way gets you a good well rounded instructor. We have some very bright and motivated young BA grads that are achieving great results. We definetly need a better evaluation structure.
ReplyDeleteIt can be viewed that the problem is not we are spending too much, the discussion should be focused on locating resouces to increase funding. There is no other wiser investment than education. Much discussion on cuts but only one suggestion on exploring revenue sources.
Great points Lisa.
ReplyDelete11:59 your information is incorrect. You should go onto the State of CT government website to see the clearly defined correct information, but here is a short summary. Teachers are required to obtain a Master's Degree by the State of CT within 5 years of beginning to teach to keep their license. Once the Master's Degree is obtained a teacher is required to take 90 course hours of additional training every 5 years. Occassionally teacher's are given emergency certificates by the state in a subject area where there is demand for teachers and no one to fill the job. However they are still required to meet all certification requirements within a given time frame.
ReplyDeleteNot only are teachers using their own funds to help pay for supplies etc in their schools. They are also using their own funds to continue their education to keep their certificates active. Do you know of any other job where you have to buy the materials you need to do your job? Do you know of any other job where you have to personally pay for coursework to keep your job?
The point of the meeting tonight is to recommend a budget amount. The question is does the BOE go with the amount Dr. Marks is recommending or should they increase that amount so that it meets the needs of the schools. Any other discussion should be tabled for a later date once the board finds out exactly how much money they will be getting.
ReplyDelete11:59, maybe your friend taught in a private school which don't have the same certification requirements the public schools have, outlined by 3:34.
ReplyDeletenumber 3:34 do you know of another job where a 10 month work year and every vacation day immaginable is considered normal and you can never be fired.
ReplyDelete4:32 - great reminder!! The line item changes can be done along the way.
ReplyDelete3:12, you are the one personalizing the position of Director of Elementary Education. If you want to put a name to the position, then yes, I will ask what Carol M. has done to better the elementary education process in Norwalk? I know she plants gardens in the schools. What has she done to improve CMT scores? She doesn't have the background!
ReplyDeleteIf we don't personalize the position, which was not my intention, this job has only been in existence approximately 8 years. It could easily be given to one of the experienced principals. I truly believe the principals meetings would be productive if that happened.
7:33 - I'm not crazy about tenure either, but as far as the length of the teacher's work year -are you advocating for a 12 month school year? Many teachers teach summer school, tutor, take classes, and yes, even work summer jobs such as waitressing, bartending, yard work to supplement their incomes.
ReplyDeleteThe issue with the salary freeze is not about the money it is about the process. I am a teacher and would not have a problem with a salary freeze if it occured during negotiations. I do have a problem opening up a contract that has already been negotiated. Maybe if the board members were actually willing to negotiate, the outcome would have been different. It is too late now. They didn't want to talk when it was time, don't talk to us now. How quickly some of the "parents not politicians" became politicians.
ReplyDeleteGood point, 11:29. Your current board chairman did not want to negotiate, and now he is leading the band for a freeze. Chock it up to learning on the job. The politics will always be a part of a board where members have Dem. or Rep. after their names. A more apt name would have been "Politicians That Happen to be Parents". Time to get really creative with this budget, but something on the order of the loaves and fishes may be necessary here.
ReplyDeleteHow many NEF members posses a masters? How many slid under th radar with a Bachelors?
ReplyDeleteI personally know one instructor that doesnt even posses a teaching license in district.
What other jobs require personal investment?
Well how about mechanics? Carpenters, Plumbers, Volunteer Firefighters, the list can be extensive. Teachers now can deduct thier expenditures from their tax liabilties as it should be, actually teachers shouldnt have to spend anything but they do and that shows the passion and dedication and those tecahers we need more of and deserve better pay and working enviroments. One of the issues that have been a sticking point is the district has not kept up with the professional development which is considered non compliance both by the state and the feds.
3:08--Have another cocktail, and call us in the morning. Hope you're not driving a snowplow tonight! The thread is about union concessions.
ReplyDeleteAs I sort through the letters coming in to this blog, I am mystified at how a budget crunch can ultimately cause more and more people to jump on the Teacher Bashing Bandwagon (we'll refer to it as the TBB). Similar to cop haters, doctor haters, and church haters, too often people who are probably fairly bright take the easy way out, and jump on the bandwagon.
ReplyDeleteThe TBB is filled to capacity with people who:
A) have never taught,
B) have a bad memory or two about a teacher they disliked, and now they're going to voice their bottled up anger,
C) think they know what teachers do, but don't. They help out at their child's school, raise money, join a parent group, volunteer at school functions, and so on, but they don't teach, and do not understand the profession.
D) have taken their child's side once too many times, and feel the teachers are so dastardly, "How can you say that about my perfect child?"
E) think tenure is what it used to be. Sorry, folks, tenure no longer "protects" what some decide are "bad" teachers. Not anymore. Norwalk administrators use a very subjective evaluative "tool" to scrutinize teachers, and when an administrator "has it out" for a teacher, word on the street is, if the teacher is smart, they need to get out now.
F) don't blame my child for anything! The TBB has too many parents who have decided the school is "accountable" for what their child does.
My advice to the average reader: Don't jump on the TBB!
My advice to the decision makers: Don't let the TBB sway you. Sure, they pay taxes, but we hired or elected you (BOE, Superintendent, Taxation Board) and we want you to do what is right. It is apparent that the leaders of the TBB are in your ear. They applaud you publicly, they thank you for your transparency, they are in your corner - for now, until they get what they want.
Let's not let a handful of active, aggressive, spirited, and determined group of people who think they should be running this school system from their living room computers - people whose expertise lie outside of education - win out.
This is about a budget, not about citizens trying to sway public opinion with letters, emails, and talk. This is about finding places to cut. At the same time, we should treat teachers like professionals, compensate them fairly, and not go after their salaries.
Thank you for your comments 6:57. It's about time someone stated out loud what is going on behind teachers' backs and right in front of them on this blog.
ReplyDeletesounds like 6:57 forgot what being a parent is like or maybe never was one and is part of the PBB (Parent Bashing Bandwagon)
ReplyDelete6:57, you are overreacting. We have dedicated, but frustrated parents on this blog who are searching for ways to get a decent education for their children. That should be applauded. Parents have the right to be heard and taken seriously! Anger directed towards these parents gets you nowhere. Let's calm down and hope that the BOE even reads these comments with an understanding of what is doable and what isn't.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would support the comments that ask the BOE to look more closely at CO positions that can be consolidated. It's not likely, but one can always hope for reasonable solutions that don't affect the classroom.