Teacher Shortage

The Math is Wrong

Posted by jcpswatch on May 24, 2016
Posted in: Budget, Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020. Leave a Comment

Dear JCPS,

I’m praying that my letter stays anonymous as indicated. I’m a new staff and I do want to keep my job.

I want to address the suggested salary freezes. I’m a bit confused as to why the salaries of JCPS teachers are being threatened. The suggestion is to freeze the salaries of those who make above $14.00 an hour. I’ve reviewed the grid submitted by the school board. The standing grid and the proposed grid and no one in my JCPS circle makes the money that is classified or described for their job description; not even me. Since the targeted range is $14 per hour, let’s use that number.

JCPS employees operate on a salary schedule just as the students do. However, we are termed by the number of days we work per year. 187, 230, 260. 260 is considered year round. 260 are not subject to escrow. If you are a 187staff, you are subject to escrow that takes about 20% give or take of your income to pay you during the summer months; snow days, Christmas and Fall Breaks.

If a staff works 187 days a year at $14 per hour; their yearly gross salary is a grand total of $20,944 per year. Let’s say this staff works 260 per year: That is a grand total of $29,120 per year.

For the 187 staff, every 2 week paycheck takes 20% of their salary to supplement the days off. This is a mandated escrow after a snow storm kept schools closed for nearly one month and teachers had no pay. So if a 187 staff makes $14 per hour, their 2 week gross pay check is $1120. Before their check is even taxed with the regular taxes, 20% of their income is used for escrow; leaving them with $896. Total taxes, health insurance, life insurance, long term disability and retirement payouts may leave them with a little over $500 per pay check; give or take.

So a full time 187 staff making $14 per hour will possibly bring home $1000.00 per month as their take home pay.

And the board wants to freeze salaries. I challenge them to live off this amount for one year.

I support and agree with the letter submitted by Ms. Adelmann. When this initial study/investigation/audit began, I CLEARLY remember the outcome as stating that the administrators making $100k per year were excessive and too many. Clearly I remember this statement because my colleagues and I discussed this at length. How this turned around to target teachers in the classroom is beyond anyone’s realm of reasoning. At a time that classroom teachers, students and parents are in higher need of support; the board drops the ball again.

The board also hits the district with a double whammy; let’s put in a new code of conduct. If they want this level of the new code of conduct to work; their needs to be support systems in place. There are no proposed support systems in place to administer this level of decreased discipline. Without this support in place; I am concerned this will lead our schools into war zones. There needs to be knew levels of training in order for this to work.

There has been a revolving door and continuous circle of funds being depleted, programs, assistances being removed from schools and classrooms that have helped to increase the growing concerns in our schools. You have parents that have to work 2 and 3 jobs in TWO parent homes; let’s not image the struggles a single parent is having. You want parents to be involved that live 20 miles from the school with no transportation. You have elementary school students who ride a school bus for 2 hours to and from school and then wonder why they struggle to sit still and learn in the classroom.

One thing that may come from this is teachers and parents will unite to have their voices heard at the board. Parents and teachers want the same thing for their children and students and that is to be successful in the classroom.

A new task force needs to be created with the appropriate persons represented; new and consistent pressures need to be made on our elected officials who represent US to do something!

It saddens me that we can’t give our children the kind of education they deserve or the support to our teachers, staff and admins that they deserve.

Sincerely,
Newly Hired

NOTE: While the author’s identity is protected here, they are not anonymous to Dear JCPS. Any board member wishing to address the concerns shared here can contact our administrators to make a connection.

District Needs to Listen to and Respect Teachers

Posted by jcpswatch on May 24, 2016
Posted in: Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020. Leave a Comment

Dear JCPS,

I would gladly give back my Excel award to have a voice back in education. JCPS has forgotten that education is not about awards, press coverage, or adults. It is not about politics, surveys, tests, or what furthers careers. It is the reason that teachers fight through the disrespected feeling to go to school in the morning and that is students. It is the reason we are screaming in the streets and holding protest signs. It is not about money, we give that away daily. It is simple: Our students deserve so much more from all of us.

I have been blessed to teach the most amazing people and get to watch them develop into people that I can be proud of. They inspire me daily and are the reason that I feel it is important to write this from the heart. Education is what teachers do daily…it is nurturing, caring, and getting to know the individuals in front of us.

JCPS administration if you want to change things in the district, it starts with the most important thing in the classroom…respect. You have to respect teachers to know the right tools to enhance student growth, we have to be able to respect the people making policies, and everyone needs to respect all students’ rights. All students deserve to be respected in school and not be turned into a number on a spread sheet. This means teachers need to have the power to keep all students safe and give consequences that teach students how to act and be a valuable member of society. Tests shouldn’t be used to tell students that they are inferior, but grades and teacher recommendations should be used to place students in programs.

We need to get back to what we do best and that is to collaborate as a district and turn education into something that should be celebrated and enjoyed. After all, as educators we should lead by example, so I need to speak up on behalf of my students. This district needs to be a functioning family again that put the needs of students first. If not, we will end up like the Detroit public school system in broken chaos.

Sincerely,
Excel Teacher Who Wants to Be Heard

NOTE: While the author’s identity is protected here, they are not anonymous to Dear JCPS. Any board member wishing to address the concerns shared here can contact our administrators to make a connection.

Reality of Classified Wages

Posted by jcpswatch on May 24, 2016
Posted in: Budget, Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020. Leave a Comment

Dear JCPS,

I am an Instructional Assistant in a JCPS Pre-K classroom and I am writing this letter in opposition of a proposed wage freeze for employees making over $14/hour. I guess I am considered one of those “overpaid” employees as I make a whopping $15.46/hour. After taxes, escrow, CERS, and JCAESP (Union Dues), are all taken out, I get to bring home the exorbitant amount of $464 every two weeks. That’s right folks, $234 a week. That is very close to the poverty line and not at all a “sustainable” wage. I am fortunate that my husband is also employed and carries the health insurance as I would not be able to purchase a family plan on my income. I wouldn’t even be able to support myself on such a low wage much less make a house or rent payment, pay utilities, medical, food, gas, etc. on $928/month. I work very hard at my job with very little monetary compensation. To even suggest freezing our wages is ludicrous. I implore you to do the right thing and vote “NO” to a wage freeze.

Thank you.

NOTE: While the author’s identity is protected here, they are not anonymous to Dear JCPS. Any board member wishing to address the concerns shared here can contact our administrators to make a connection.

Broke AND Broken

Posted by jcpswatch on May 24, 2016
Posted in: Behavior/Discipline, Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020. Leave a Comment

Dear JCPS,

With all the recent uproar about how the staff at JCPS are being treated, it got me thinking. I am currently an instructor III, which means I have my bachelor’s degree. I make about $20,000/year. I’ve been in JCPS for 8 years. I started as an instructional assistant for 6 years. When I changed job titles they took my steps away. Did those 6 years mean nothing? Do they not realize that everything is going up: rent, groceries, gas, etc. Why shouldn’t my pay go up? Am I not worth more to you?

I now play many roles at my school. Sometimes I substitute and currently I’m actually doing SRT. But both of those jobs pay more money. Why am I not getting [paid for the work I actually do]. Sometimes I wish I can go to work and “clock in” under which job I will be doing for the day. That’s not too mention the other roles on top of that mom, counselor, friend, teacher, role model etc. that I play.

Next topic behavior! Wow, the things I’ve seen heard and dealt with this last year. Never have I been so disrespected. Never have I had a panic attack at work. Never have I witnessed such cruelty, hatefulness and entitled children. I can’t even count how many times a child cussed me out, blatantly disrespected me or harassed me. But it’s not just about me. They’ve run subs off mid day and cheered. They instigate violence, talk about sex and drugs (I’m in middle school) yell and scream, hurt others, the list goes on. And the adults are helpless. We try to hand out discipline. We try to have positive conversations. We try to keep them in the class. We give them so many chances but the response is always “I don’t care” and they truly don’t. They don’t care that they’re in Middle School and still read on an elementary level. They don’t care that the teachers have to buy supplies out of money from their own pockets. They don’t care that the lunch ladies are there early in the morning to feed them breakfast and to prepare their lunches. They don’t care about the other 80 children riding on the bus. They just don’t care. I guess that’s a thing at JCPS. Nobody cares what everybody is doing for their children.

I’m so very glad that the school year is almost over. I don’t know how much more I can take.

Sincerely,
Someone looking for a new job

NOTE: While the author’s identity is protected here, they are not anonymous to Dear JCPS. Any board member wishing to address the concerns shared here can contact our administrators to make a connection.

Where is the teacher’s voice in the district?

Posted by jcpswatch on May 24, 2016
Posted in: 10 Point Grading Scale, Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020. Leave a Comment

Dear JCPS,

I am very upset to hear once again that stakeholders in the community are yet again NOT being listened to in regards to JCPS decisions. Yesterday I saw the news article in regard to the SPP & G and the grading scale. I was not happy when the board switched the grading scale last summer to its current rendition and was happy to get the survey asking for our ideas and opinions on the grading scale. Now I am finding out that our Superintendent has taken it upon herself to throw out the recommendation from the SPP&G committee that used data from stakeholders to make a decision to put into place her own recommendation. We, as teachers, are again being told our opinions and ideas do not matter in the grand scheme. This is absurd! We are on the ones in the classrooms, dealing with the issues! We should be the first ones you ask and take our concerns and ideas very seriously!

As a middle school teacher for the last 12 years I have a much better grasp on what grading scale will work best for my students. I lived with the 7 point scale for 11 years, till we went to the hybrid scale this year. In the opinion of most teachers if you are going to have a 10 point scale for A’s and B’s it should be for all of the scale. We have an extremely large amount of students in middle school who would greatly benefit from a 10 point scale. I have a lot of students who have 67 or 68% and are failing, but under a 10 point scale they will no longer fail!

But the major issue is that our voice, the teacher’s voice, is being taken out of the equation! The district as a whole has taken a business idea and tried to equate it into teaching children. The business model works great when discussing finances and such, but not in the essence of the classroom. When people who have not been in the classroom for many years, who are separate from the day to day reality are making our day to day decisions, it leads to catastrophe and why our district is such in an uproar right now! Coming to visit a school and walking into a classroom for 5 to 10 minutes and getting a “dog and pony” show does not show the true reality! As many parents and teachers have been saying recently in Facebook comments and to others is simple – “Come walk a day in my schools”! Look at what we deal with on a daily basis and understand why we are mad! You talk of freezing our pay because we are “overpaid” compared to other “comparable” districts, but even these “comparable” districts are vastly different than us! You talk about drastic changes to the Code of Conduct to take away suspensions when behaviors are out of control in the schools! Teachers are a breaking point already and now we are told once again how undervalued we are by taking our opinions and throwing them away!

I am MAD! I spend so much time, energy, and money on my students and school! I take my profession, my calling seriously! I feel disrespected! I feel ignored! When will this stop? When teachers take a sick out like Detriot? When we have more non-certified teachers in classrooms, than certified because the teachers all leave? When will our voices be heard and you all realize we can only take so much!

Sincerely,
A very upset middle school teacher!

NOTE: While the author’s identity is protected here, they are not anonymous to Dear JCPS. Any board member wishing to address the concerns shared here can contact our administrators to make a connection.

Deplorable Truths of JCPS

Posted by jcpswatch on May 23, 2016
Posted in: Budget, Teacher Shortage. 1 comment

Dear JCPS,

I have been praying that somehow, someway, the public could see the corruption within this district. It is only now, through this website, and only because we can remain anonymous that we are crying out for help and sharing our deplorable, abusive, and medically alarming work conditions. Everyone within this district is scared to death to speak up because there positively will be repercussions, we’ve witnessed it and experienced it repeatedly. I am so glad that my voice can finally be heard! Thank you so much for this website, and for reading my letter. Please help us!

My own children and I are hungry. If I buy a lunch at school, I have to pay $4.25, which I can’t afford, so most days I don’t get to eat. Luckily, my income level is so low that my children qualify for free lunches. Family members generously take us to the grocery store to buy food when there is no money left to buy necessities. I feel like a failure as a parent because I can’t give my children things they need or want. We have to sit in a freezing cold house in the winter and a miserably hot house in the summer because I can’t afford high electric bills. I work every day to make the lives of my students better, but I can do nothing to make the lives of my children better. I have to work all summer, and search for extra work after teaching all day just to get by.

I have worked for JCPS as a teacher for 5 years. We are underpaid and overworked. We don’t get the planning period we are supposed to get because we are required to attend PLC meetings 3 times a week. We are required to attend a staff meeting after school for 1 hour each week. In order to meet deadlines and job responsibilities, we have to haul our work home, which takes away from our own children and their academic needs. Good teachers that care about their students work from home for no pay every night and all weekend to plan lessons that meet the needs of our students. We have to grade papers and provide feedback to students on their work to help them grow academically. We have to enter grades into the online grade book, Infinite Campus. We have to complete exhausting report cards that provide parents and families adequate feedback to help their child succeed.

I am a single mother raising two children on my own. If you think a living wage is bringing home $1, 098 every two weeks, I’d love for you to show me how to live on that. If you think that amount is over paid, you are drastically mistaken, or as Dr. Hargens says, misinformed. My tax return says I make $36,000 a year, but in reality, after all the necessary deductions (health insurance, life insurance, union dues, Kentucky Teacher Retirement dues, escrow for summer pay, etc.) I bring home $28,000 a year. Trying to live on $2,200 a month is very challenging. I rarely get to buy new clothes, but when I do, I shop at Goodwill, which I haven’t complained about until the public was informed that I am overpaid. Not to mention the fact that I have to buy my own supplies because the new JCPS “Fundamental Supply List” doesn’t require many necessities needed in a real-life classroom, and we are not allowed to ask parents for any other supplies. Sometimes, I have to buy my students shoes when theirs have holes worn on the soles. I buy them coats so they don’t have to stand at a bus stop in a t-shirt during the bitter cold winter months. It sickens me when Dr. Hargens acts like JCPS has extra money for supplies etc., and announces that there is no reason to increase taxes to help public schools, when every year, our students lose more and more resources.

My body literally goes into shock after returning from the summer because I am not able to drink water like I do during the summer because I don’t have time to even use the restroom at work. We do not get breaks like employees get at other jobs. We do not get a lunch break. I am constantly told by my principal that I need to do more at our school. I help with several after school activities throughout the year. I get to school early every morning. The fact that I have children to get home to does not matter to my principal. The fact that I am the only parent that my children have does not matter to my principal. I am required to attend several after school events for no pay, and with no consideration for my children, or the fact that I live almost an hour away from the school I work at.

It disgusts me how unappreciated and disrespected JCPS administration has made me, and most other teachers, feel. We are treated like dirt and emotionally abused daily from our administrators all the way from the top down. Several people at my school have developed serious medical issues due to our treatment. Most of our staff has been put on anxiety medications just to function and deal with our working conditions, which is unacceptable. JCPS administration does not want us to voice our opinions or concerns, they just want us to keep our mouths shut and deal with it.

I hope these things give the public a small glimpse into the lives and mistreatment of many JCPS teachers and employees.

Signed,

Mistreated JCPS Teacher

NOTE: While the author’s identity is protected here, they are not anonymous to Dear JCPS. Any board member wishing to address the concerns shared here can contact our administrators to make a connection.

Purposeful Exclusion Makes Me Feel Undervalued

Posted by jcpswatch on May 17, 2016
Posted in: Admin, Budget, Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020. Leave a Comment

This letter was submitted to JCPS Board Members this morning, and shared with Dear JCPS for others to use as template, if desired.

Dear JCPS,

I am greatly disappointed and confused by recent decisions to hold salary and code of conduct meetings during school hours. Teachers across the district are extremely concerned about both issues and would like to be part of the meetings that are scheduled.

I read that teachers are invited to watch a live stream of the meeting. However, how am I able to participate, or even watch, when I will be at school teaching 20 precious 4th graders? I am shocked that more of an effort was not made to include teachers and stakeholders in your decision making. I know I speak for many others when I say that purposeful exclusion from these meetings makes me feel VERY undervalued as an employee.

Morale around the district continues to plummet. Employees have lost respect for administrators after being blindsided by salary issues and then being insulted by Tom Hudson. We have watched the mess surrounding restraint and seclusion and felt the obvious code of silence around the district. Now, we are excluded from meetings related to student behavior and our well being. Something MAJOR needs to change if morale is going to rebound.

I love this town. I love my job. I really love kids. I believe JCPS is an organization that can be great again. My little boy is almost 2 and I have always planned for him to attend a JCPS school. Now, along with many others that I know, I am not so sure if I will enroll him in JCPS. I question if decisions are made in the best interest of students at the administrative level.

What is it going to take for Dr. Hargens and the board to be honest with the public and advocate for their employees? I am very discouraged.

I sincerely hope you will be a genuine advocate for teachers and students as you make upcoming decisions. That’s what we elected you to do.

Sincerely,
Tax Payer
Teacher
Future JCPS Parent

The identity of the author is withheld from this post, but they are not anonymous to us. 

Taking a Step Backwards – From a JCPS Student

Posted by jcpswatch on May 4, 2016
Posted in: Behavior/Discipline, Budget, Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020. Leave a Comment

This letter was presented by a JCPS student at today’s walk-in at Meyzeek. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Dear JCPS.

Dear JCPS,

Hello, my name is Neil Jacob. I’m an 8th grader here at Meyzeek and a student council representative. I’m here today to talk about the proposed changes to the code of conduct which we follow everyday, which will be reviewed over the next 6 weeks. Not only are we at risk, but our beloved teachers are being shot down too. On May 10th, the school board will vote on teacher salary reforms which will put a freeze on their salaries. No raises whatsoever.

What a step backwards we’ve taken. Having to be out here to plead for my education and safety is horrible. Being a JCPS student of nearly 9 years, I’ve seen my fair share of student disobedience. I’ll admit, many attempts to discipline the minuscule amount of unruly students has not worked. If I had a dollar for every vulgar word said or punch thrown in my school, I would have arrived here in a private helicopter. However, this has to be the most shocking jab at teaching kids what is right and wrong. Simply ignoring the situation is completely the wrong approach for shaping the future. You’re doing nobody any good by teaching unruly students that there are no consequences to misbehavior.

A school without discipline is no school of mine. What numbers we saw when campaigns against bullying were launched, students felt safe again. This feels like a leap into the past. A student who assaults another should not only be given a slap on the wrist. No repercussions for serious actions such as sexual assault and theft sounds counter intuitive.

And to our teachers, the educators who influence the lives of the students on a daily basis and stop at nothing to make sure no child has been deprived the opportunity for a sufficient education. Even though they are selfless, driven and motivated; they have the same needs as everybody else. Personally and professionally, they play a substantial role in the development of children of all ages, and deserve all the respect we can give. Instead of discussing how to freeze their salaries, we should be discussing how to raise them.

Thank you.

“UnClassified” and a “Farewell to Professionalism”

Posted by jcpswatch on May 3, 2016
Posted in: Budget, Teacher Shortage, Vision: 2020. Tagged: . Leave a Comment

This letter was submitted via our open letter form. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Dear JCPS.

Dear JCPS,

When I heard about the stories about a study done on Jefferson County Public Schools, my first initial reaction was “really?”

How many more studies can be done to figure out the underlying problems in a problematic school district?

Listening to the rhetoric about teachers’ salaries and salaries of the support staff, the memories of why I left the district came back again.

I began my short three-year journey with the district in 2009. It was for a classified clerical position at Atkinson Elementary in the Portland neighborhood. They titled it “lunchroom / office assistant.”

Signing on, the district is sure to let you know “other duties assigned” is also in the job description.

It was a wild card that meant whatever they told you, you do it without objection.

For the first half of the school year, I pretty much stuck to helping maintain control in the lunchroom, greeting parents daily and maintained attendance records.

On the flip side, I was the first line of defense in dealing with unruly parents who had issues with teachers or students with behavioral issues who sat at my desk area because they needed a “voice of reason” to help them get through their school day.

It became routine, especially when I moved on to becoming an Instructional Assistant at the same school in 2011.

This time I was under different leadership with a principal who had the mentality of “her way or the highway.”

I was running the SuccessMaker Lab, working with kindergarten teachers and used as a stand-by teacher if they didn’t have a substitute in special areas or if the teacher left work early.

I was two years in and received a “minor” increase in pay. I was at $12,500 for the entire year. Most will look at it like that’s not bad considering working 185 days out of the year.

When you factor in escrow (money taken out of your check so you can earn pay in the summer) health insurance, union dues, and taxes, you were barely left with enough money to put a scratch in the monthly rent.

I kept it classy and put the kids first. However, I did ask about pay raises and was never given a clear answer – yet always given the runaround.

The game changer for me was being pressured into assisting with K-Prep testing without proper training or given any background information as to why these kids are taking these statewide exams.

All I was given was a photocopied handbook on what you can and can’t do when working with students during testing which pretty much let me know that I had to figure things out on my own.

You couldn’t question why you had to do it, it was part of that “other duties assigned” note listed on your job description.

It was a pattern with JCPS because it was a terrible training practice that trickled down from the administrative offices.

Everyone talks about being professional and developing yourself in becoming great at your job, yet the biggest joke and money waster are Professional Development Days.

Having years of experience in training before JCPS and it was going to be different being trained.

Lo and behold, more let downs.

It was very shameful to be handed out photocopies of “teaching tools” only to find out some of the trainers were making more than $100,000.

I instantly thought I could have been more effective with less money spent. What made it even sadder is I never walked away with the feeling of being professionally developed.

Every time those days came around, I cringed. In order of have a day off with the students, you had to sacrifice your soul for 6 hours of bull crap.

When you add a non-supportive principal to the mix, it didn’t make things any better.

Many of the classified staff who have visible supporting roles in the school district are often overworked, underpaid and definitely underappreciated.

For those who paid for the ridiculous study, ask yourself, for all of the things you have to deal with, would be satisfied with someone “freezing” your salary? Many of the support staff and teachers go beyond the call in making JCPS a place where kids can learn to their greatest potential.

 

In closing,

I wanted to share with you a letter I wrote to the principal at Atkinson and purposely sent to all classified staff on August 29, 2012 as the school bell rang.

“Leadership roles in education require lots of dedication, hard work, commitment and responsibility. Understanding how to maintain control of the aforementioned while maintaining professionalism is an added bonus.

Throughout my life, I’ve seen individuals awarded positions based on the buddy system while no one gives second thought of what their qualifications are or how they handle themselves in various situations in professional environments.

It disturbs me when those who are awarded positions in administration are more concerned about the acquired power instead of using the power to influence a quality educational experience for students and a loving environment for their professionals.

Once you sign the dotted line to become the head of the line you have a choice of where your administration is going to go. Most employees who are not used to change have a hard time dealing with it although they fall in line to keep things going strong out of respect for the person in the leadership position.

When inflated egos become a part of the equation, that’s when friction and problems arise on the job.

It’s not appropriate to address staff members in front of their peers. It’s not appropriate when you have an issue with other staff members you belittle them to others. It’s definitely not appropriate to turn off communication with staff at any level because you’ve had disagreements.

Whenever holes needed to be filled, I was there. Whenever substitute teachers didn’t show for special areas, I was there. Whenever children who misbehaved needed somewhere to go, I was there. Never once did I object or complain. It was never about me, it was always about the children and their needs.

A good, reliable staff is harder to come by and having those who are equally as passionate in motivating children to live their best lives, harder. It’s one of many reasons why parents respected my stern, jovial attitude and my passion to always see the good in their children regardless of how others think of them.

Making me feel unwelcomed or as a complete stranger on during these first couple of weeks of school up to my last day left a sour taste in my mouth. I had to remind myself that I walked in this building as a humble individual and I will leave here as one. Being empathetic, sympathetic and compassionate to others why people enjoy me. Thanks to those who helped me realize my smile is more important than small issues.

I’ve been very blessed to have this opportunity at Atkinson as well with JCPS. I grew up in this district and it’s nice to know there are good people who truly cherish the value of children and their employees.”

Jefferson County Public Schools has a lot of work to do and needs to reinvent itself to not only rebuild trust with the teachers but do more in creating an environment where they can continue to help these kids excel.

You shouldn’t need a study to determine the value of the people who are on the front lines daily.

I will support those teachers who I know firsthand are working their behinds off well before students arrive to ensure a great learning experience.

I will support teachers who are often put in harm’s way when students are out of control.

I will support teachers because no one understands the heart and emotion they put in their lessons and how they proudly wear them on their sleeves.

They are my friends and colleagues.

They are definitely JCPS.

-C. J. Daniels