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Misconception

Stephanie Doucette
Letters |
Saturday, September 5, 2009

I wonder why no one has cleared up the misconception that teachers are paid all year and get lots of vacation time?

The reality is, teachers are contracted to work 183 days and they are paid for only 183 days. The school department spreads the pay out throughout the entire year so that they can gain interest on the money that's set aside.

Teachers do not get paid for a single holiday or vacation day. They are paid for 183 days and nothing more.

Stephanie Doucette, Auburn

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

twitch's picture

such horse crap. teachers

By twitch, unverified — Wed, 09/09/2009 - 09:37

such horse crap. teachers are SALARIED employees. that means you get an ANNUAL wage that is divided over the year into equal payments. some districts have options for teachers to get paid only during the school year...others do not... regardless...its an ANNUAL SALARY. and i know teaching is a hard job but -boohoo- so are many other jobs. just ask direct care staff working with mentally ill and intellectually challenged adults who get $9-10 bucks an hour and pay for their own health ins premiums if they can even afford them. the teachers in our school district avg 35-55K depending on experience and education...that is pretty darn good pay for the job being done and quite on average with most other mainer's. if you want to make more get a job in the corporate sector instead of the public sector...teachers don't teach because its going to make them wealthy...they teach because of the rewards and hopefully they are good at it. I am sick of hearing about the long days...as a salaried employee the expectation is that you will put in more than an 8 hour day. I am sick of hearing about the bad kids...so have rules in your class and enforce them, if your school principle doesn't back you find another job at another school. I am sick of hearing about the poor wages...I work 40-50 hrs a week, take on-call regularly, supervise up to 50 staff and am responsible for the lives of individuals 24/7...most teachers still make more than I do but I love what I do so I stay with it. I am sick of my kids coming home with homework because you can't get your job done in the 6 hrs they are with you...I never had a moment of homework until 6th grade and the avg class size was 25 students...some were smart, some were slow, some had "behavior problems" but the teachers all managed then-why can't they manage now? as far as i am concerned the perks (time off, insurance, ongoing training, etc etc) are more than enough to weigh out the modest pay and the teachers need to stop the damn whining!!!!

Gil's picture

Good reading on the subject

By Gil, unverified — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 22:30

Good reading on the subject - http://www.hoover.org/publications/policyreview/3438676.html
"In the history of the nation, there has never been a political party so ridiculous as today's Democrats. It's as if all the brain-damaged people in America got together and formed a voting bloc." Ann Coulter

Gil's picture

I would feel bad for

By Gil, unverified — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 22:28

I would feel bad for teachers if they did the job year round, week after week, day after day. They make on average, $30k starting salary. That's for 183 days. I'm not a genius, but a simple calculator shows that equals a little more than $20 an hour for those 183 days. Not shabby. Nothing stops a teacher from looking for extra work on those off months and making more money. You won't get rich on $30k a year, but you ain't starving. The pay can be paid over the year and so they are receiving their pay even when not working during their summer's off. Stop whining. If you want better pay, get a different job.
"In the history of the nation, there has never been a political party so ridiculous as today's Democrats. It's as if all the brain-damaged people in America got together and formed a voting bloc." Ann Coulter

verified

Veritas I cannot agree with

By Joseph Ziehm, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 13:11

Veritas I cannot agree with someone who makes it seem so simplistic I have aspergers and I want to teach and reach all the children that I can. Wanting them to excel and go beyond their norms and make it into advanced classrooms. Making sure they learn humbleness, kindness, and gratitude along the way. Watch the Taylor Mali video I'm sure Mom found that a tad bit funny and it is true what we make.

Joseph Ziehm
Lewiston, ME
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;" Colossians 4: 1-2

veritas's picture
verified

Joe - It isn't simplistic -

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 15:18

Joe -

It isn't simplistic - you only interpreted it as such.

Examine most public school district contracts, and you will see that they are quite complex, covering a myriad of components.

I'm not familiar with the present Auburn contract, but I do know that a number of Districts do not offer fully paid health insurance for employee, spouse, and children; the norm has been fully paid for the employee, and usually requiring a 20% contribution for additional family coverage.

The cost for insurance has gone up at a much greater rate than has inflation over the last ten years. I had examined my local school districts budgets over a number of years, and the impact of yearly insurance rate increases - some as high as 18%, had so adversely affected the budget, that insurance steadily balooned until it was siphoning off $$$ from line items such as text books, school libraries, and teaching supplies that only minimal resources could be allocated into these important areas without raising the school taxes past the point at which the taxpayers would not stomach an increase. In my school district, we hold a yearly meeting to vote on the budget - I confronted the District Superintendant - and as the business office had the insurance split up between a number of different budget line items, he actually did not even have any idea of the magnitude of the money being spent on insurance. It was an embarrassment.

I can go on and on - as I attended many, many school committee meetings - and delved into many facets of education. But one thing is for sure - a significant portion of so-called education tax-$$$ are simply going into the coffers of the Insurance Industry - (Anthem Blue-Shield is what the MEA did have).

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When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

veritas's picture
verified

According to site:

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 12:13

According to site: http://www.maineopengov.org/Payroll/StatePayrollSearch
/tabid/63/Default.aspx?

One teacher in Auburn made $50,718 on 2006, the next year, in 2007, he made $54,426. That's a 7.3% pay raise in one year. How many folks are getting that percentage of a raise in the private sector??

Look up any teacher/administrator you want in Lewiston/Auburn.

------------------------------------------
When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

Hymn's picture
verified

Stick to your guns Auburn

By Roger Gagne, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 12:04

Stick to your guns Auburn Teachers...

concerned KD's picture

Wow , some people never

By concerned KD, unverified — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 11:42

Wow , some people never cease to amaze me with thy're warped view of what it is really like to work with our students today.
We as a community should be rallying for better contracts,facilities, and standards for our kids education.
Apparently those opposing this issue dont want thy're kids to be successful adults. Its fact that good role models and a strong and happy workforce in our schools do a better job at providing education. Less hinderences and having the right people and tools in place is essential to a successful future in this state... Our kids now are graduating high school below the national average and have to work harder than the average college freshman just to compete with the advanced class load that out of state students have. This is not the teachers fault though... its the system... Teachers have they're hands tied and or dont have the budget or facilities to proved what so many other schools in this country do. All this is going to result in is less of an educational experience for our kids. And guarantee that when our students apply for the job as an adult graduates they will be underqualified and have to leave the state or become part of the welfare state we have created here. But lets keep paying administrators $100k plus when they have not contact with students but those who teach every day can get the scraps... Good luck keeping qualified teachers in Auburn..

veritas's picture
verified

Well, "Concerned." Are you

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 11:58

Well, "Concerned."

Are you ready to 'Pony Up' the extra taxes that it will take to do what you suggest??

Hang on to your tail!!!!
------------------------------------------
When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

momof4's picture

Joe the Preacher: This is

By momof4, unverified — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 10:19

Joe the Preacher: This is probably about the only thing we agree on. Go figure. I sub in schools, and while I dohave respect for many of the teachers, there are still plenty "phoning it in". However, there are many dedicated teahcers who truly care for the children and are the only positive role models the kids have.

veritas's picture
verified

So how many sick and

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 10:52

So how many sick and personal days per year do the teachers have per contract where you sub??

And subs are left with very few crumbs from the table....
-----------------------------------------
When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

verified

The classrooms have become

By Joseph Ziehm, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 09:33

The classrooms have become minefields on how to teach different ethic and sociocultural phenoms. Town you hit it right on the head we are losing because know one wants to admit it. People think its easy to teach Eagle and Veritas do not understand what it is like. We have John Rosemond teaching parents ADD/ADHD is not real and Michael Savage calling Autism the diagnoses du jour to parents. Which makes it so that parents can deny their children care due to political speech becoming hate speech at times. In the mire we have parents who know that their dimes and the tax payer dollars are not the satisfaction that we seek but seeing their children succeed is. Its not just psychobabble Mom I remember that and now you see what we are really learning and teaching. A Superintendent makes a one hundred thousand plus and a great teacher can make upwards of twenty-seven to thirty-five grand its not really fair.

Joseph Ziehm
Lewiston, ME
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;" Colossians 4: 1-2

veritas's picture
verified

Joe - I have a much greater

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 10:54

Joe - I have a much greater appreciation of what it is like than you will ever realize.

------------------------------------------
When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

momof4's picture

Town Clown said it best.

By momof4, unverified — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 09:10

Town Clown said it best.

franklincop's picture

My wife's a teacher so

By franklincop, unverified — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 08:24

My wife's a teacher so believe me when I say that being a teacher is a much harder job than most make it out to seem 9at least from what I see and hear). The stress and pressure of the responsibility over a child's education must be overwhelming, its beyond my imagination. Are teachers under-paid? Yes. Even if you look at it from an outside perspective, the amount of time, money, education, training and certification in order to even become a teacher doesn't even remotely balance out with the salary's in which they get paid, so in the end I see absolutely no argument.

veritas's picture
verified

Yet they really don't have

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 09:17

Yet they really don't have that much of a problem filling positions, do they.....

And most get two raises every year; step and contractual.... C'mon, I'm very familiar with their contracts. You can't BS the old BS'er

Look up any teacher's pay here, and see how it goes up every year -->

http://www.maineopengov.org/Payroll/PayrollSearch/tabid/63/Default.aspx

------------------------------------------
When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

Iliana's picture

Just ask anyone at the

By Iliana, unverified — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 13:35

Just ask anyone at the superintendent's office how hard it is to find a qualified professional. Sometimes when they can't find the best, they settle for what's available. You simply can't leave the kids without teachers, even if they are not the best.

Iliana's picture

I am really surprised you

By Iliana, unverified — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 13:19

I am really surprised you say you are familiar with the contracts. I am too. I have been a teacher for 6 years (2 of them in private schools). And the raise offered by the school department is minimal. From one year to the other the raise per year is less than $100. So, the first year teachers get paid $28,000 and the next... $28,100. Wow. What a raise! And you seem to forget that every school department has different pay scales. Two colleagues resigned because they could make more money in another school department. I am thinking about doing the same too. I am not part of the union -it is expensive, and as a new teacher I don't make enough to pay for it-. With no contract, and the news that not only they want to cut spouses's insurance but also teacher's insurance as well, I'd not be surprised many teachers flee. I've spoken to some and they are already preparing plan B.

veritas's picture
verified

Iliana - you claim first

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 20:18

Iliana - you claim first year teachers make only $28,000 in your School Department?

You didn't mention that beginning 7/1/07, school administrative units must pay a salary of at least $30,000 to eligible staff - (That's State Law) These include certified:

Classroom Teacher;
Special Education Teacher;
Literacy Specialist;
Library/Media Specialist; and
Guidance Counselor

See: http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/
index.php?topic=edu_letters&id=61341&v=article

Now I know $30,000 certainly isn't the money to induce one into teaching - but tell the whole story when you post here.

Also - you state you're not part of the union. Now exactly who is it that you think is going to go to bat for your interests there? Apparently you haven't given that much thought.

This 'Plan B' you speak of - people talking about leaving. It's often just that - talk - and nothing more - especially in an economy like this.

------------------------------------------
When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

Iliana's picture

Sorry if I did not mention

By Iliana, unverified — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 22:09

Sorry if I did not mention that. The Auburn school department pays only that - the difference is paid by the State of Maine. It is clearly stated when we sign our "contract".

That measure was adopted to ensure fair and consistent pay all over the state. For doing the same work, a teacher in Presque Isle made significantly less than a teacher in Westbrook. This extra money helps only during the first few years of teaching, because every school department still has the right to decide the pay scale and benefits. Once you make a little above $30,000 -which takes about 5 years- then your salary is based on what school department you work for.

Maine in general has some of the worst salaries in the US: http://teacherportal.com/salary/Maine-teacher-salary

veritas's picture
verified

Iliana - You wrote "first

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 23:54

Iliana - You wrote "first year teachers get paid $28,000"

Your statement was clearly misleading - as since 2007 by law they get paid a minimum of $30,000 and I caught you on it. It doesn't matter from what pot the $$ comes, as it all originates with the tax-payer.

I've negotiated government personnel contracts for a number of years on both sides of the table, and when one neglects to tell the real story as you did, it tends to raise a red flag.

The Chicago area is screaming for teachers, and you can make much more money there than you do here in Maine. You'll get used to the violence (shooting and stabbings) after a few years, and the gang-banger crap will just roll right off your back if you develop a thick enough skin. So if it's money you want, and quality of life issues aren't all that important - you'll do much better elsewhere.

------------------------------------------
When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

veritas's picture
verified

Teachers are paid by the

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 09:07

Teachers are paid by the school year - that included holidays, vacations, personal days, snow days, and many more sick days those those employees in the private sector could even dream of receiving.

Perhaps you would like to post a copy of the Auburn Teachers Contract on line.

You would probably lose what support you have.

------------------------------------------
When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

TownClown's picture

I think the reality is that

By TownClown, unverified — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 07:23

I think the reality is that most of us wouldn't do the job they do for the kind od money they make. Have you been in a classroom lately? They not only teach our children, but mentor them, ;ead extra activities, coach sorts, and put up with some very disrepectful and behavior challenged children. They must also modify they teaching style to accommodate the children with learning disabilites. And lets not forget the apathetic parents who drop their kids off at school as if it were simply a day care center, not giving a hoot about how they perform academically. So...you want to be paid for 183 days of work? Become a teacher. But don't gripe about the length of your day, or the challenges that you'll face daily! Oh, and by the way, I am not a teacher. But because of one, I am able to write this!

verified

How much do you make Eagle?

By Joseph Ziehm, verified user — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 07:35

How much do you make Eagle? You seem to have a corporate prospective to this world; how much do you make? Here's an answer to what we make.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK4syxU

Joseph Ziehm
Lewiston, ME
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;" Colossians 4: 1-2

Mainah49's picture

Teachers can choose to

By Mainah49, unverified — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 06:05

Teachers can choose to recieve pay only while they work, or have it spread throughout the entire year. Ed Techs and subs only reieve pay while they work.

And no, they can not collect unemployment.

Rinoblast's picture

Wrong. They either have to

By Rinoblast, unverified — Sun, 09/06/2009 - 10:30

Wrong. They either have to collect over the course of the summer or the district gives them a lump sum at the end of the school year for what they're owed.

Scotty-O's picture

Can they collect from

By Scotty-O, unverified — Sat, 09/05/2009 - 05:10

Can they collect from unemployment in the summer just like when a manufacturer shuts down for a few weeks to perform maintenance?

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