Contracts delivered today to DeKalb teachers
I am hearing today from DeKalb teachers about contracts and letters, which appear to the source of confusion to some folks.
One teacher wrote:
We were informed today that we are receiving a 6.25 percent pay cut for the next academic year. Today, teachers were presented with contracts that are due on May 9th. The explanation for the pay cut was explained as an effect of a $70 million dollar budget shortfall. Teachers were given no other explanation or choice. This comes after we received a confusing email from the district explaining a “calendar change.” In this message, it appeared that teachers would be receiving pay increases of $1,000-$1,200 per month. This was later explained as an error.
But DeKalb spokesman Walter Woods said: “All contracts of employment for the 2012-2013 school year have been delivered to schools. Employees will either receive a contract or a delay letter. Teachers also received a letter today explaining that all contracts are printed with a 6.25 percent reduction in pay. This has been the standard practice for the last three years. Teachers are being reassured that after the Board of Education has approved the budget, their salaries will be adjusted.”
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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141 comments Add your comment
Enough Already, We feel the pain
April 30th, 2012
10:14 pm
The new admin CAN’T be trusted either. I think I will be disgusted if again she changes the 6.25% saying that she didn’t mean it. Just like the inflated, fake pay scale that she released and then recanted. WHO WILL SIGN A CONTRACT WITH THE INTENT OF IT BEING CHANGED AFTER SIGNING! I wanted to support the new admin, but everything she has implemented beginning with the fake fireside chats, and visiting each school in the beginning for 5 minutes, is never what it seems to be. Another thing that alarms me is that she feels it neccessary to hide and not be assessible. Is this an acceptable use of tax payer’s money for a superintendent?
dteacher
April 30th, 2012
10:21 pm
Farnsworth,
Why would you expect the administration to treat teachers with decency when it is increasingly rare to find any decent treatment of Dekalb’s students? We teachers know that it is only the students of parents who advocate for their children (DCSD translation: complain) that are more likely to get classes manned with certified teachers-not long-term subs, smaller classes, etc…
Enough Already,
Dekalbite is spot on. If it weren’t for all these other salaries draining the budget, students might have smaller classes, diverse curricula offerings, and access to meaningful programs while us teachers might earn a decent salary.
And I wouldn’t trust HR when it comes to state information. Isn’t this the same department that claims we need new fingerprints (do they change? do other agencies require “updated” fingerprints?) each time we re-new our certificates.
Lynn43
April 30th, 2012
10:35 pm
I’m not defending the school system because I don’t have any information to form an opinion, but let’s share the blame with the state. They have been late getting the school systems their allotment sheets which the school system must have in order to begin any work on a budget. Until this information is available, the budget can only be a guesstimate. With the contracts deadline (by law) approaching, I’m guessing the school administrators are doing what they have to do without the state doing what they should have already done.
Future Teacher
April 30th, 2012
10:36 pm
@Brandy and @Ron F.- Your words are heartening, thank you. Yes, I plan on working with students who have EBD. It is what I know and love. Not saying they are an easy bunch to work with (I have a very thick skin and dogged determination). I will have my GACE in both General and Adaptive Curriculum in addition to the Special Education Content Areas. I hope that gives me some sort of edge.
It just hurts and is discouraging to read about the people I admire and appreciate (teachers, of course) being treated this way. SHAME on Dr. Atkinson and the BOE. DeKalb teachers, hang in there. Thank you so much for everything you do for the kids.
Missing the point
April 30th, 2012
10:38 pm
I think that we are all missing the pont here. The DCSD was once #2 (below APS) in salary. For years, teachers have received a delay in step, no step, and furloughs, which have placed us significantly behind other school districts in the metro area and throughout the state. Although other districts are experiencing finanical shortfalls, DeKalb employs more needless positions than any other district in the state (this is record). Although other school districts have begun furloughing their staff, the DCSD started long before them. Dr. Atkinson MUST begin to make tough decisions or she can get on her horse and gallop back to where she came from. Georgia is a “right to work” state, but if we all get sick soon (cough cough) and go to the doctor, that would surely make a point. A friend of mine said that if Dr. Atkinson wants to raise student achievement, she may want to start with teacher morale.
@Lynn43
April 30th, 2012
10:45 pm
Compare every other district with the DCSD. What happened to DeKalb’s local supplement? The other districts, although financially strapped, have been able to pay their teachers. What happened in DeKalb. It is truly time for the BOE to go, and maybe they can take their friends and family with them.
Ron F.
April 30th, 2012
10:50 pm
Anonmom @10:14- It’s situations like this that make me wonder if something, anything, would be better. My only concern with vouchers is oversight. While I’m sure the vast majority of parents would be careful in their choices, without structured guidelines for reporting, management, and auditing of schools, who knows what might happen? Dekalb is a good example- and there are audits and public meetings and voters to answer to come election time. How do you see the accountability issue being handled with vouchers?
Atlanta Media Guy
April 30th, 2012
10:57 pm
DeKalbite! Thank you for your support. Your numbers and links tell the story. If these links are wrong and the figures are wrong then Maureen should do a story on why the state is misreporting the facts, that citizens use to make informed decisions. Why are you arguing with me Enough already? I am angry the budget is being balanced on the back of teachers again! Why is Tyson still drawing a salary? Why is Turk still drawing a salary? There are so many still drawing huge salaries and these people were responsible for driving the bus into the abyss of failure to begin with!
Title One has been an abject failure in DeKalb. Where is the ROI? I also fear as long as the Clew and Pope trials are around, DCSS/DCSD or whatever it’s called this week will not change. The majority of the people that approved Clew’s mess are still on the BOE and on staff. Atkinson has got to cut the ties from the past and soon! The teachers need to have, at minimum a 6.25% raise, NOT CUT!! No steps for 4 years, no matching pension, who would want to teach our kids?
Enough already, I do live on the north side and I’ve seen first hand how dirty it is at The Palace. We need a Palace cleansing and soon! I can’t wait to see what Steen Miles writes about Atkinson and her plan, Ms. Miles had such high hopes for her just after she got started. (sarc off)
DeKalb parent, homeowner, & teacher
April 30th, 2012
11:08 pm
The working poor has become a reality. Now making just enough to pay mortgage and pay for repairs to my old car. Between paying back student loans (just borrowed 12K to get Ed.S.) and afterschool care for my 3 children (paying for someone to keep them while I work tutorial, plain, grade projects, etc.), and buying my own classroom supplies, I barely have enough left to join the professonal teachaer organizations, or pay for visits to the doctors office (taking allergy medicine becuase of the mold in the school I work in).
I have come to realize that NO ONE, not even those in education, values education. There is truth to the saying, “you get what you pay for.” At this point even the dedicated, hard working, passionate teachers are feed up and want to be valued. Ironically Teacher Appreciation week is the week this contract is due.
Dekalbite@Enough already...pain
April 30th, 2012
11:31 pm
Th school district supplies this information to the state.
“Q: Who is responsible for the accuracy of the Salaries, Travel Reimbursements, Professional Services Expenditures, Payments and Obligations?
A: The individual organizations supplying the information are responsible for the accuracy of the information. The Department of Audits and Accounts is only responsible for the compilation and listing of this information.”
http://www.open.georgia.gov/faq.html
Having been in education since Jim Cherry was superintendent, and having worked inside and outside the classroom as well as many years in a revenue producing corporate position, IMO – the Return on Investment for taxpayers has been declining in DeKalb and has become untenable for students, particularly in the low income Title 1 schools.
Having spent many years in support positions as well as many years as a classroom teacher in regular ed and specialist positions, IMHO – nothing and no one is as important for students as the regular education teacher who teaches students math, science, social studies and language arts. Mastery of this content is the reason for our educational system.
Every child deserves:
1. A safe and clean learning environment
2. A competent teacher in a reasonably sized classroom
3. Access to cutting edge science and technology and supplies
Funding these three components will meet the needs of most children. We are not doing this in DeKalb.
There is quite a bit of data at our disposal – salaries, expenditures, student achievement scores, personnel titles and numbers, etc. Ignoring the data has been the norm too long in DeKalb.
While admin and support positions are necessary, they cannot crowd out and overwhelm the “core business” positions. DeKalb has lost its focus on the “members of the classroom”. The “members of the classroom” are the teacher and his students. All admin and support positions must revolve around the “members of the classroom”. If you get that admin or support position you aspire to, try not to forget that.
Dekalbite@Atlanta Media Guy
April 30th, 2012
11:58 pm
“DeKalbite! Thank you for your support. Your numbers and links tell the story. If these links are wrong and the figures are wrong then Maureen should do a story on why the state is misreporting the facts, that citizens use to make informed decisions.”
I do not believe the salary and travel audit published by the state is too far off. If you read the MAG audit commissioned by the BOE and compare the DCSS salaries they pulled from DCSS HR and Finance (they worked closely with these departments), you will see the data in the DCSS compensation audit and the data in the state Salary and Travel audit is very close.
MAG report (DCSS Compensation audit:
http://dekalbschoolwatch.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/full-report-phase-i-dcss-audit-jan-2012.pdf
State Salary and Travel audit:
http://www.open.georgia.gov/
(click on Salaries and Travel Reimbursements)
One test I did a couple of years ago was to look at Ms. Tyson’s proposal in spring, 2010 to balance the budget for the upcoming school year. She pegged a teacher’s salary including benefits at $65,000 (see link to that proposed budget below):
http://dekalbparent.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/20102011budgetrecommendations.png
Looking at what the Georgia DOE reported the average pay DeKalb teachers were making in spring 2010 shows $54,412. Adding 20% for benefits places teachers very close to $65,000. So you see she was using the same data that the state was using – makes sense because the DeKalb HR and Finance Department gave the Georgia DOE that information:
http://archives.gadoe.org/ReportingFW.aspx?PageReq=102&CountyId=644&T=1&FY=2010
(click on Personnel and Fiscal tab)
Readers and commenters need to look at all data and form their own conclusions.
IMO – Dr. Atkinson is trying hard to straighten out the mess DeKalb is in. She has an uphill battle with a Board of Education that has long enjoyed the family and friends plan.
Enough Already, We feel the pain
May 1st, 2012
12:01 am
As I stated, Atlanta Media Guy, we are on the same team with the same grave concerns. However, you seem to generalize everyone in one pile. Your attitude reflects the attitude of the Superintendent
’s actions in thinking that everyone is ineffective and deserves to be punished. Everyone or every position in Title One was not a failure, Every teacher is not effective and should not recieve praise, although I should! (smile), and so should the majority of us. Everyone from the south side is not a part of Central Office bureaucracy, and Everyone from the north side is not bias and closed minded when it comes to “others”. I am just bringing attention to addressing those who are at fault, and not speaking lowly of others who are innocent, yet hard working in those jobs that you criticize, it hurts people. I personally know many. (I’m not including the ones you listed, the directors, Tysons, Turks, and the ones already dismissed because of their poor decisions) Some that you criticize in other roles are some of the best teachers in the county. Statistics are subjected to their interpretation/interpreter re: showing proof . No fight or anger here, just meeting on an even turf of frustration. We cant be guilty of the same thing that we accuse others of doing wrongly, especially assuming that everyone, because of affiliation, (race, region, or role) is the same. ( and Please have Maureen investigate the accuracy of the state site).
Enough Already, We feel the pain
May 1st, 2012
12:12 am
@Dekalbite, In all fairness, Thank you for supporting the example of misinformation that many unknowingly, yet with conviction, usie as their evidence to support their opinions. As I stated, my teacher salary was reported wrong on this site, yet AMG was unwilling to accept it because of his previous judgements. Maybe now, we can agree to move forward and monitor our opinions before they take on life of their own.
Enough Already, We feel the pain
May 1st, 2012
12:30 am
@Ron F, thank you for clarifying for Dekalbite the distinction between funding which made the previous posting full of misinformation. We must remain dedicated to not persuading people by leaning stories to the right or left. I also agree with your statement that Dekalb takes good positions and makes them bad. I personally see the value in our instructional coaches many get a bad rap they don’t deserve. We also have a good graduation coach, and counselors. I don’t know anything about the other types that were mentioned so I can’t speak on them. See how easy that is?
Dekalbite@Enough Already, ..pain
May 1st, 2012
3:17 am
“@Ron F, thank you for clarifying for Dekalbite the distinction between funding which made the previous posting full of misinformation.”
The posting regarding expenditures on Coaches, Fernbank Science Center, etc. was not misinformation. It is just data compiled from a data sort of the state Salary and Travel audit, an official source that is not completely error free, but upon cross checking with other credible sources has proven quite accurate.
As I pointed out to Ron F., there are rules and regulations governing expenditures of Title 1 money. The DCSS website lists those regulations as well as federal Title 1 websites. DeKalb is spending the amount that MUST be allocated on Coaches for example (10% or $4,000,000 out of our $40,000,000 annual funding) and then spending $11,000,000 more for extra coaches. If you are interested in the Title 1 breakdown of funding for DCSS, look at this DeKalb Title 1 presentation (slides 7,8,9,10) that shows the exact breakdown for Title 1 funds and what MUST be allocated:
http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/school-improvement/boe-presentation-(2011-09-12).pdf
“We must remain dedicated to not persuading people by leaning stories to the right or left.”
I disagree. This is a blog and persuading people is the purpose of a blog. Many people do this with personal stories, other do this with strong emotional diatribes. Rarely, readers are offered data or data analysis from credible sources. Whenever I read anything that relies on data, I always look to the data source – is it reputable and reliable? Then I run the numbers myself to see what conclusions I would draw. That’s what I would advise anyone to do when confronted with data and data analysis.
“I also agree with your statement that Dekalb takes good positions and makes them bad.”
As far as positions – are they good or bad? Well, the definition of a good or bad position is – does it help teachers move students forward academically or does it not help move students forward academically? If we are declining in science, shouldn’t we examine the way our science dollars are spent to see if they are efficacious? If we are declining in math achievement, shouldn’t we ask if our expenditures to improve math achievement are effective?
DeKalb has not asked the teachers who teach science and math and reading and writing and social studies to evaluate all of these programs such as Coaches and Fernbank Science Center, and
America’s Choice, etc. to see if they help or hinder the learning process in their classrooms. We are a top down organization. I have spent untold hours in meetings where administrators who have not stepped into a classroom in 20 years and even more commonly where administrators of only 2 or 3 years of teaching experience make decisions regarding tens of millions in direct instructional expenditures with NO input from the personnel in the classroom – i.e. teachers. In DeKalb, instructional decisions that impact students academically are often made by support personnel who have NO certification or training in education. Once these instructional programs and expenditures are in place, there are no benchmarks to measure their effectiveness for teachers or students – so the programs go on in perpetuity with no measure of their worth for students. This is not unusual in DeKalb. This is the usual method of initiating, planning, and implementing programs and establishing non teaching personnel groups.
How many teachers and students have felt the brunt of ill conceived programs designed by admin and support committees or departments with no teacher input?
Two Cents
May 1st, 2012
3:32 am
Is the School Board and palace employees also receiving a reduction in pay in the same amount? If not, why not? Once again – teachers and students get the short end. Outrageous.
Beverly Fraud
May 1st, 2012
4:49 am
If so, please, please, please! stick with it. There are almost no qualified, certified, and experienced EBD teachers in this state–and most other states
@Brandy I disagree. Future teacher I’d say “No” NO NO NO.
Teachers are A) being set up to fail and B) being set up to be EXCLUSIVELY blamed for the failure.
It’s SYSTEMIC Future Teacher, systemic.
Don’t even think about it unless you have two things:
1) A LEGITIMATE plan B back up
2) TWO years living expenses
Good intentions do not count, any more than “good intentions” would count if you were to go to North Korea and teach government ethics. What MIGHT work is if your administration knows you have the “nuclear option” and can say and MEAN, “I can’t be treated this way. I’m economically empowered to walk away TODAY. Tell you what. I’ll take a personal day tomorrow and let you think about it”
I’d say without those two factors in place and the ability to do something similar to the above scenario, do NOT do it.
Beverly Fraud
May 1st, 2012
4:51 am
Does Walter the Mouth Organ think people are STUPID?
Maureen why not ask Walter the Mouth Organ if this 6.25% has been the “standard operating procedure” for the past three years, why was it only THIS year a letter went out explaining it?
say what?
May 1st, 2012
5:56 am
After reading everyone’s comment, I see that no one has addressed the other reason for the upcoming $70 million shortfall in revenue: Tax revenues are down!!! With reduced income from the state and all property being worth nothing, what do we expect?
Everyone is worried about other groups and if they have their jobs. The media is NOT interested in sharing that those other staff have been let go. If Maureen gave a blog story that Title I will be nothing more than 5 employees, parent center facilitators ( the original group that were REQUIRED to have at least a 4 year degree.Dekalbite go back and find the original job description from 2005) and the parent centers are being closed, instructional coaches are being let go, prevention intervention and graduation coaches ( title I picked up the funding for them when the state took away funding for these positions that the state claimed schools need to have), and no more school based property/yard custodians. Bus drivers will be cut because no more SES, no more after school tutorial ( unless the principal pays for it), no more transportation reimbursement for parents to drive their kids to another school under NCLB,
What concerns me is that Walter Woods had the opportunity to clarify that ALL employees including cabinet level staff will have a reduction in pay, and he said nothing. ONly about teachers. This was a chance for him to explain that everyone will receive a reduction or a pink slip, and that the BOE memebers will vote for their pay cut (as if). Also, what is going to happen with all of this title I funding? will it be used to purchase all of the Ipads that the new superintendent wants in every building (though title I funds are not suppose to be used for non-title I schools). And who will fix this new technology in the school house as the CTSS were let go as of May 24?
Dr. John Trotter
May 1st, 2012
6:55 am
Does the DeKalb Administration still claim the moniker “Premier DeKalb”?
bootney farnsworth
May 1st, 2012
7:04 am
so what would happen if everybody got ill on the same day?
not too much of a stretch to say everyone is ill over what’s happening.
we’ve been making the mistake of asking for the respect we’re due. how about we start considering its time to take it instead?
Fred in DeKalb
May 1st, 2012
7:23 am
DeKalbite is known for providing misinformation, even when it is proven to be incorrect. I can’t get them to realize that causes as much harm by redirecting citizens off the core issues to things that cannot be substantiated. Even having a teacher acknowledge the information about their salary from the state website is incorrect won’t keep DeKalbite from their mission.
say what?, unfortunately your point is the conversation that we aren’t having, how do government entities balance budgets with minimum cuts to service with the revenue shortfalls we have had over the past few years. Labor costs make up most of the budgets for government entities (upwards of 80% or more). This includes entitlement payments to retirees also. Unless citizens are willing to pay more in taxes, tough decisions and sacrifices will have to be made. Given the choice between a pay cut or losing a job, I’d personally choose the pay cut.
There is enough blame for our current situation to go around….
Leaving DCSS
May 1st, 2012
7:37 am
Ok, so 4 months ago, I decided that this year would be my last teaching in DCSS. I have spent 10+ years in this system and still have another 10 before I can retire. While I don’t foresee any new county of employment as an “issue free environment”, I can truly say that I’ve grown very weary of the state of affairs in Dekalb. We were teased into believing that our salaries would be increased, only to be told that we were reading the payscales incorrectly. Next we received the a statement saying that our pay would not change. And now we receive a contract that is $2000 – $5000 less than last years salary. The more things change, the more they stay the same. …..Oh yes, I am still leaving.
Anonmom
May 1st, 2012
7:47 am
Ms. Tyson immediately dropped the “Premier DeKalb” moniker, recognizing that it really was pretty comical…. to Ron F: My position on my voucher proposal and thoughts is that things are pretty much at “rock bottom” now –Georgia has done poorly on education for decades and the metro counties are at the bottom of Georgia …. I don’t see how any, even fairly well-designed program would be any worse so it can only get better. Gov. Jindal in Louisiana is incredibly bright — Brown undergrad and he have a law degree (I’m not of this…) — he’s done such amazing things there that, as a Republican in a very Democratic environment, he had negligible opposition for his 2nd term bid for Gov (no, I don’t agree with all of his positions on things) — he’s done a lot of studying on the issues he’s made proposals on and the legislation he’s had passed has worked very well — for example his health care proposals have been some of the best in the country (from my brother who has lived here, there and in Massachusetts where they could never get an appt. with a doctor for their “great” medical care….. LA has much, much better under Jindal’s provisions and more affordable — they’ve been made with a lot of thought and attention and care). So, I would propose that GA really study and look at what Jindal has done and tweak it to provide for the vouchers with forensic, annual (or bi-annual) financial audits with strict and severe criminal penalties for mis-use of the funding by the schools to prevent such mis-use and with strict sanctions against the ‘friends and family’ plans we’ve seen in the metro area without a clear and convincing record that said individual is the most qualified for the job so that in the rural areas if the super’s wife is the most qualified teacher, she may hired but the BOE’s daughter, who isn’t certified is not…… Those are my thoughts. I want to get away from this “mafia” system of schools that we seem to currently be running and get the funds into the classroom so that the kids can actually get teachers to teach them. We spend (I know I’m a broken record) but billions of dollars, per system -metro area — per year — on education — that’s more than some small, third world countries have in the GDP and we’ve seen how corrupt they can be — it’s the human condition to misuse that much money when you have uncontrolled access to it — there are lots and lots of examples — world wide — going back many centuries — of humans mis-using unfettered access to billions and billions of dollars — think about it. It’s very dangerous to allow such unfettered access to so much taxpayer money……
Beverly Fraud
May 1st, 2012
7:52 am
“What concerns me is that Walter Woods had the opportunity to clarify that ALL employees including cabinet level staff will have a reduction in pay, and he said nothing.”
Does Maureen have the journalistic integrity to call BS on Walter the Mouth Organ and ask POINT BLANK, if this (the 6.25%) has been the policy for three years, why is there only a letter being generated THIS year? And is it ONLY being generated to teachers, as the quote above indicates?
Now to be fair to our moderator, I will myself ask if it is fair and legitimate to couch this in terms of “journalistic integrity”?
In my mind it is, because if Walter the Mouth Organ is using the media to spin it, the media has an obligation to ask legitimate questions about the spin.
Anonmom
May 1st, 2012
7:54 am
Form Wikipedia: Jindal was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Amar and Raj Jindal, who came to the United States as immigrants from Punjab, India, six months before he was born.[3] Jindal attended Baton Rouge Magnet High School, graduating in 1988. He competed in tennis tournaments, started a computer newsletter, a retail candy business, and a mail-order software company. He spent his free time working at the concession stands during LSU football games.[4] Jindal was one of 50 students nationwide admitted to the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) at Brown University, guaranteeing him a place in medical school. He was interested in public policy. Jindal also completed a second major in biology. He graduated in 1991 at the age of 20, with honors in both majors.[4][5] Jindal was named a member of the 1992 USA Today All-USA Academic Team. He was accepted by both Harvard Medical School and Yale Law School, but studied at New College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar. He received an M.Litt. degree in political science with an emphasis in health policy from the University of Oxford in 1994 for his thesis “A needs-based approach to health care”.[4] He turned down an offer to study for a D.Phil. in politics,[6][7] instead joining the consulting firm McKinsey & Company. A few weeks after the 2003 gubernatorial runoff, Jindal decided to run for Louisiana’s 1st congressional district. The incumbent, David Vitter, was running for the Senate seat being vacated by John Breaux. The Louisiana Republican Party endorsed him in the primary although Mike Rogers, also a Republican, was running for the same seat. The 1st District has been in Republican hands since a 1977 special election and is widely considered to be staunchly conservative.[18] Jindal also had an advantage because his campaign was able to raise over $1 million very early in the campaign, making it harder for other candidates to effectively raise funds to oppose him. He won the 2004 Election with 78 percent of the vote. Jindal secured reelection in 2006 with 88 percent of the vote. He was the second Indian American elected to Congress.[19] He was appointed to the House Committee on Homeland Security, the House Committee on Resources, and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. He was made Vice-Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attacks. Jindal served as President of the incoming Freshman class of congressmen in 2004. He was elected to the position of House Assistant Majority Whip, a senior leadership role; he served in this capacity from 2004-2006.[4]……. Jindal ran against four Democrats, a Libertarian and four independents. Jindal received 66% of the vote in the first round, thereby winning election in the first round for his second term as Governor.
Inman Park Boy
May 1st, 2012
8:01 am
Legally, a promise to “adjust” the salary in a written contract is worthless. If you count on that, then you’re the fool. The DeKalb County Schools have suffered under miserable leadership now for decades. Jim Cherry must be rolling over in his grave!
Middle teach
May 1st, 2012
9:02 am
I am a Cobb teacher and feel for the Dekalb teachers. The bait and switch with contracts is horrible. We won’t get our contracts until may 9 or so we have been told. Yet I am expected to be professional and understanding with my students who are climbing the walls because of the lousy Old School claendar we are on. A warning to parents. until you stand up for us any additional understanding for your brhavior challenged child is on hold.
Dekalbite@Fred in Dekalb
May 1st, 2012
9:23 am
“DeKalbite is known for providing misinformation, even when it is proven to be incorrect…. Even having a teacher acknowledge the information about their salary from the state website is incorrect won’t keep DeKalbite from their mission.”
While there may be occasional errors on the state Salary and Travel website, (after all the DeKalb excel file alone contains almost 100,000 separate pieces of information), this is an upload of DCSS payroll files, and Brown, Lewis, Tyson and now Atkinson sign off on the integrity of this data. Most importantly, cross check the data with the salaries the recent Management Advisory Group who worked closely with the Finance Department to produce the recent compensation audit. You will see that they are virtually identical in data. Remember that the data on the state website – e.g. number of Economically Disadvantaged students drive the federal funding that DeKalb receives and the Average Daily Attendance (also found on the state website) drives the state per pupil funding Dekalb receives. Can you understand that this data cannot be too far off or the DeKalb administration would be charged with financial fraud?
When you don’t like the conclusions of the data, it is typical to try to say the data is incorrect so no conclusions can be drawn or decisions made. Instead there are calls to keep the status quo. That has been happening far too long in DeKalb, and we see the results for students this attitude has brought us.
I wish a DeKalb tax increase would solve all of this. Unfortunately, we are near the ceiling of the state limit, and I can’t see this Republican legislature or governor raising the ceiling for property taxes. Additionally, even if we go up to the property tax maximum millage rate, we will not see those tax dollars spent on DeKalb students. Equalization will ensure a substantial portion of those dollars will flow to other “poor” and “rural” districts (classified that way because they have a low millage rate). DeKalb is classified as a “rich” county in part because our millage rate is so high. So we are penalized and must send a portion of our property taxes to “poor” counties with low millage rates. We are losing around $80,000,000 a year in taxes that flow out of DeKalb to the state and then are diverted to “poor” low millage rate counties.
DeKalb has no choice but to depend on the data to drive financial decisions. Property values are decreasing, not increasing. Depending on the county assessors increasing the value of housing and thus increasing property taxes was a form of de facto property tax increases in the housing bubble. Lewis funded those non teaching positions at that time while he steadily eliminated teaching positions.
Looking at the Salary and Travel audit shows DeKalb has around 200 Security employees for which we pay almost $11,000,000 in salary and benefits. The recent Management Advisory Group audit performed for DCSS shows almost the EXACT same number. The Management Advisory Group audit recommends DeKalb eliminates 95 of these positions to bring us more in line with other school systems. They also show many of the higher level Security positions are overpaid per marketplace value. Has that happened BEFORE decreasing teachers’ salaries?
The Management Advisory Group showed DeKalb has 365 job positions – only one of those positions was Teacher. Many of those groups are like the Security group – overstaffed and overpaid. Were these groups reduced and their pay adjusted BEFORE the decision to cut teachers’ pay?
More personnel must teach students so that we do not have children packed like rats into the classrooms. Teachers should NOT have experience a pay cut until ALL 8,500 non teaching positions were rightsized in numbers and pay. If Lewis had rightsized the pay for those 2,500 non teaching employees (overpaid by $15,000,000 a year according to the Ernst and Young consultant in the 2004 Compensation audit summary to the BOE), we would not be having this discussion today.
Every single budget to date has been balanced on the backs of the teachers and students. It’s beyond disappointing that this looks like business as usual.
Angela
May 1st, 2012
9:26 am
@Fred in DeKalb,
You strike out at Dekalbite but do you really know what you are talking about. I truly believe the Dekalbite knows what he/she is talking about because they work inside and not outside. I am inside and I can more than attest to what he/she is saying. You are outside because if you were inside your comments would not be as they are.
Now as for my opinion about my cut in pay “I have already begun my vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Did Cheryl take a cut in pay? I think not and neither did her people. But, should she care. For the past two weeks it has been told that she was trying to find money so that she could increase teacher’s pay because of the low morale. She is no better than Crawford. She has lead us in writing to believe that we would get some type of money. And, she put out a stupid pay scale for employees working at 236 days. Who in the county works 236 days. The teachers sure don’t.
We have been shafted by Crawford, Tyson (who secured her salary long time ago), and now Atkinson. DCSS we need to take a STAND and take it now.
But, I truly do wish Dr. Cheryl Atkinson the best in her new endeavor to undermine teachers. I hope that her life continues to never suffer or your back. But, a lasting food for thought “God giveth and God taketh away!” God Bless you Cheryl!
Dekalbite@say what
May 1st, 2012
9:38 am
“Dekalbite go back and find the original job description from 2005) and the parent centers are being closed, instructional coaches are being let go, prevention intervention and graduation coaches ( title I picked up the funding for them when the state took away funding for these positions that the state claimed schools need to have), and no more school based property/yard custodians.”
Can you provide a link to a credible source that shows these non teaching employees have been reduces? I got to tell you I looked on first class to verify every one of these prevention intervention coaches were still in DeKalb and guess what – they were. I then went to the school websites and they were there. I noticed that we had MORE coaches in 2011 than 2010 on the state salary and travel audit not LESS, and I also saw them listed on the school websites. Are you saying Dr. Atkinson has eliminated them? Where is that on the HR reports?
Just a few links to Dr. Atkinson stating where she has specifically rightsized in the non teaching areas or to the data that show where she eliminated in those areas would greatly buttress your argument.
Just moving non teaching positions to Title 1 for pay may be legal, but it has proved academically detrimental for kids. Instead of Title 1 Reading and Math teachers who work in small groups with struggling students, we have had more and more non teaching positions finding a home there. Less direct instruction for children who need individualized attention has been the result.
Pardon My Blog
May 1st, 2012
9:46 am
This is a total slap in the face to the teachers. It would serve DCSS right if no one returned a signed contract or better yet, return the contract with an adjusted salary figure and write in “per Walter Woods”. Unless there were across the board salary cuts and position elimination in the central office, then these contracts should be nullified and new contracts drawn up reflecting equal treatment. In a school system, the teachers and the curriculum are the most important items and they should be taken care of first. This boneheaded move is going to assure us that the few excellent teachers that have hung in there are going to leave and our schools will be left with the teachers that no other system will hire.
Yes, tax revenues are down and you know why? Inconsistent property assessments combined with an inadequate county government and a ruined school system. Those who would pay the taxes are leaving in droves.
Bill & Ed's Excellent Adventure
May 1st, 2012
9:50 am
I feel for teachers too…but isn’t this just a precursor to a property tax hike? The savings from cutting positions & salaries is unlikely to bridge the deficit, and that will be passed along to Dekalb homeowners. Again. Direct your anger at Ramona Tyson & the BOE who told us a year ago how great of shape the school system’s budget was in…meanwhile, they were overspending on construction by $45 million or so…
say what? to Dekalbite
May 1st, 2012
10:20 am
“Can you provide a link to a credible source that shows these non teaching employees have been reduces?”
>>The last day for twelve month staff is Friday June 29, 2012, as salaries have been provide in the budget through June 29. Just as teachers have a contract to end at 10 months, even though people are being let go it does not mean termination on the day of the notice.
I got to tell you I looked on first class to verify every one of these prevention intervention coaches were still in DeKalb and guess what – they were. I then went to the school websites and they were there.
>>>>Last day of the current budget is Friday June 30. None of these positions can move into the new budget cycle to begin July 1, 2012. Just as the list of 34 principals being moved and/or demoted has not been released as the changes do not take effect until June 30 (the end of the fiscal year).
I noticed that we had MORE coaches in 2011 than 2010 on the state salary and travel audit not LESS, and I also saw them listed on the school websites.
>>>> If look at any county school district you will see and increase in 2011 because of the special ARRA money to fund those positions. When the money ran out, many school districts simply utilized other funds to keep the staff member on payroll. This was done everywhere, NOT just in DeKalb, so people can stop speaking of DCSD doing wrong. The State DOE has done the same.
Are you saying Dr. Atkinson has eliminated them?
>>>Yes, last week began the pink slip parties at the central office. Dr. Walker was the lone dissenter as the BOE members were not provided with a number or names of position being released. Sort of like Pelosi saying “just vote on the healthcare bill, then you will find out what is in it.’
Where is that on the HR reports?
>>>If you read the school board meetings, there is a monthly HR report. These reports are generated and voted on the month AFTER the termination (or hiring) of individuals.
Also many times in your post you mention the state office of budget whatever (for salary information). This information is by calendar(Jan1-Dece 31) year, and not fiscal year (July1-June 30) which school systems use. Because of the current burn and slash model used to destroy public schools, salries may appear differently but not by very much since we are having salary reductions.
Where is the outrage for providing potential job creators $200 million in tax reductions, such as Baxter? Baxter already has a presence and a facility in GA, but they get $200 million in tax reductions before the first job in 2016 is available. $200 million could have gone to schools. Be angry at the politicians.
Fred in DeKalb
May 1st, 2012
10:22 am
Angela, I’ve read what DeKalbite has posted both here and the GetSchooled blog. Not everything they share is misinformation, in fact I’ve complimented them when they provided insightful information. The rationale of drawing conclusions simply by looking at data (which can be flawed) is what Dekalbite does, even when facts to the contrary are presented. I shared links to the HR reports from July and August 2010 that listed by name employees that had been let go. Many of the positions were for Central Office employees (some were for paras also) however DeKalbite consistently says that Central Office positions were preserved and teachers were the only employees let go.
Actually teaching positions were not filled when classroom sizes were increased as a partial remedy for the $100 million dollar shortfall back in 2010. Increasing class sizes is being considered by every school district in the county as a remedy for lower property tax revenues. No teachers were let go. There is an annual turnover of about 10% of teachers for a variety of reasons. This remedy also included staggered furlough days, 12 month employees got more furlough days than 10 month employees, hourly employees (bus drives, cafeteria workers, etc.) were not impacted. We are hearing there may be another shortfall of over $70 million for the upcoming school year.
I have been specific of my criticism of DeKalbite. Many Central Office employees have lost their jobs in the BOEs attempt to balance the budget. More position and pay cuts are coming. What is happening in DeKalb with how it addresses its budget is happening around the country, it is not unique to DeKalb. If you believe everything that DeKalbite writes, you wouldn’t know that neighboring counties are experiencing the same challenges.
There were a LOT of people that made money during to go go days of real estate. Have you noticed that Georgia has had more bank to close than any other state in the country? The trickle down effect is that we had artificially over priced housing and we are seeing a major correction. This is negatively impacting our schools, county, state and country in many ways. Much of our unemployment is driven by layoffs in the public sector. I can connect the dots and see where this is leading.
There is enough blame for our current situation to go around….
Beverly Fraud
May 1st, 2012
10:23 am
And what does Mighty ODE have to say about this? Apparently nothing worth mentioning. Why aren’t they using the media to advocate for their teachers? Could it because if they TRULY advocate for their teachers, some of their ADMINISTRATIVE members might lose a job?
Beverly Fraud
May 1st, 2012
10:26 am
DeKalb teachers have cast their lot with an organization that ALWAYS has to balance advocating for their needs with advocating with the needs of ADMINISTRATIVE BLOAT to remain intact.
As bad as DCSS treats their teachers, is it not time for them to look in the mirror and acknowledge how they are active co-creators in their own misery?
Fred in DeKalb
May 1st, 2012
10:37 am
Middle teach, I hope things work out better for Cobb teachers. Your BOE has just voted for 5 furlough days and will be eliminating 350 teaching positions. Fayette County indicated they may cut salaries again. Gwinnett will furlough and leave open over 600 positions. That was in today’s paper in the metro section.
It will be interesting to see the comments if this becomes a blog topic.
Angela
May 1st, 2012
10:39 am
@Beverly Fraud,
Thank you for your non-crediable comment. Here again another who has not done any of what we do commenting without merit. I have put this out there for years and have yet to have a taker.
COME VOLUNTEER AND THEN SPEAK THE FACTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A Conservative Voice
May 1st, 2012
11:09 am
You know what, even if some of those teachers get a 6.25% pay cut, they’ll still be making much, much “MORE” than what they’re worth.
Enough Already, We feel the pain
May 1st, 2012
11:24 am
@ Dekalbbite. Where is the data and evidence to support that teachers do not need staff development, that teachers do not need help in the classroom to improve practices, that we, iif left alone, will have outstanding results? Do you realize that an administrator , coach or parent can make suggestions all they would like, but the teacher has the say so in the classroom when doors are closed. I have not had but one visit in my classroom from an administrator all year, but the coach has been my support. The principal can depend on them as a team. I asked the coach how are they evaluated today and he/she told me, from the teachers they work with, the principal, as well as their supervisor. Instructional coaches fill out weekly logs and submit them as well, along with timelogs and a yearly evaluation. I didnt know this until I asked, nor have I seen it included in your data. This information is necessary for the federal audits, and on file if you care to expand your data processing skills to include all data. Does any other group have this type of data? Why is it not included in your statistics and data analysis?
I would like a job like this one day, and I hope people who don’t see it’s value will not impose their opinions on those who do. It is damaging. I am a good teacher, and I hope to be a good instructional coach, and then a good administrator, and maybe even a principal. An instructional coach is not a graduation coach, is not an ice coach is not a football coach, is not a basketball coach, is not a singing coach, etc. If a football coach does not win a championship is his program not effective? All have their value and purpose. Coaching is on the rise in every progressive organization other than Dekalb, especially with southern non-progression ringing in its ear. Stop misleading people through your biased opinions, or because you despise a group. We, teachers have more sense than you and the Superintendent give us credit. Please use your talents to figure out this 6.25% drop in pay, how to get our retirement contributions started again, and stop accusing and dividing fellow teachers by any other name. Educators stand together on the real issues. Get rid of the bloat, but take the time to find the actual bloat. We are off to a good start with some of the eliminations, though.
Fred in DeKalb
May 1st, 2012
11:28 am
DeKalbite also mentions the reduction of 275 teachers from 2010 budget. They also neglected to mention this key point,
**The increase in class size will still keep DeKalb Schools below the state maximum requirements, prior to the state’s increase. **
Again, it goes to show how disingenuous Dekalbite is by leaving out this key statement from the budget. As I’ve mentioned several times, when the district increased staff after receiving Katrina evacuees, they did not reduce teachers at the same rate the student population went down. In other words, there were additional teachers because DeKalb’s class sizes were still below the state maximum, even after this adjustment.
Tsk tsk tsk….
Angela
May 1st, 2012
11:37 am
@A Conservative Voice,
LOVE, HUGS AND KISSES TO YOU! Another jack— who disrespect educators. Sad that you have such a low opinion. Perhaps if your parents had been a better teacher to you you would have some
some self respect and respect for others.
Angela
May 1st, 2012
11:43 am
@Fred in DeKalb,
Again, Fred I can tell that you are outside of the DCSS network. People outside always seem to have an opinion and comment. We are inside meaning we work here. We know more than you do. Please accept that we live it not you. This Fred makes us a whole lot more experienced and knowledgeable than those outside. Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beverly Fraud
May 1st, 2012
11:44 am
Thank you for your non-crediable comment.
Angela be SPECIFIC. What is not credible about my comment. Does DeKalb GAE represent, or does it not represent teachers AND administrators? Does that or does that not create a conflict of interest if, in order to save/improve teachers’ salaries some administrative DEADWEIGHT that are also members of DOE would have to be released?
Be SPECIFIC Angela, and tell us what is NOT legitimate about the questions raised above?
Beverly Fraud
May 1st, 2012
11:46 am
Correction, DOE in the above post should be ODE. As in mighty ODE.
Beverly Fraud
May 1st, 2012
11:53 am
Has Angela been rendered MUTE by a fair and legitimate question?
Angela
May 1st, 2012
12:21 pm
@Beverly Fraud,
As bad as DCSS treats their teachers, is it not time for them to look in the mirror and acknowledge how they are active co-creators in their own misery?
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NO! I am not MUTE! That is the comment I am talking about.
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DeKalb teachers have cast their lot with an organization that ALWAYS has to balance advocating for their needs with advocating with the needs of ADMINISTRATIVE BLOAT to remain intact.
So, do you suppose a Union would do better. And, perhaps if you really know the role of the DOE (Department of Education) Georgia and US. GAE is only one group that represents teachers PAGE is the other. They can only advocate they cannot force. But they are here more so to represent in legal matters. We the teacher need to STAND-UP. But it must all for one and one for all. We can make change in one direction or the other.
Prof
May 1st, 2012
12:22 pm
As another “outsider,” I want to follow up on comments by Bootney Farnsworth, May 1, 7:04 am, and Whatever, April 30th, 10:03 pm: “Until the teachers decide to follow the contracts quite literally (8 hours a day, regardless of need), this will NEVER change.”
I think of the great strategist of social change in the 1960s/1970s, Saul Alinsky, with his tactics for working within the system subversively: use what one is permitted to do, and work within its parameters to protest and seek change.
Beverly Fraud
May 1st, 2012
12:33 pm
Re: So, do you suppose a Union would do better.
Given the political climate here, most likely not MUCH better. But at least they wouldn’t be CONFLICTED in they were supporting ONLY teachers.
GAE is only one group that represents teachers PAGE is the other.
A COMPLETELY spineless group, one that actually said, in this very paper, there was “merit” in a proposal that would abolish the right of teachers to run for elective office where they live, vote, and pay taxes!
Still, Georgia teachers have made a conscious decision to let two organizations that represent ADMINISTRATIVE interests represent them as well. It’s like poultry going to Truett Cathy asking for Chik-Fil-A to represent them. What would Georgia teachers expect to happen with THAT dynamic?