Thursday, March 10, 2011

Journal:School Board Makes More Cuts

Layoff Notice for Teachers and Staff
I cannot understand giving three consecutive raises when everywhere except St. Lawrence County are losing their jobs.  Well those with time on the job will be able to enjoy their extra income while their fellow teachers and aides are laid off.  This is bitter sweet and the taxpayers will take another hit...tax cap where are you.  Wait they have to pay for part of their insurance...just over $500.00/ year plus co-pays and next year is up to $700.00/year.  Currently, State Employees pay around $3600/year plus co-pays with zeros for raises.  The school board was willing to give them raises just to get them to pay something on their insurance. 

Teachers always complain, they would rather have the State Insurance because it includes dental and eye glass coverage.  Would they be willing to pay the extra $3000.00/year for the Empire Plan?  The problem they would face is Eye and Dental coverage is not included, that is a union paid option.   New York Teacher's Union is one of the richest union, maybe they should kick some back to the members. 

Journal Article

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Agree : The Board is totally out of touch with reality . they have continually buried their heads in the sand and given away the farm.

It is high time for a tax cap and consolidations and ELIMINATION of local control which has lead to this problem and the lack of objective decisionmaking regarding the number of positions needed , the pay increases and associated benefit creep while the community in general is aging , on fixed income and but 27% pay taxes so the burden is disproportionate .

Moreover the boards have FAILED to adjust the student teacher ratios to reflect a 50% decline in enrollment over the past 2 decades

which on this board has lead to the current situation.

As a minimum put the employees on PARITY with state employees who PAY for the EMPIRE plan

Anonymous said...

I will vote this budget down, down,down. Enoughwith the taxes.

Poly Information said...

I find it hard to believe the teachers feel slighted with this contract. We all know they will teach harder with more money, at least the ones that still have a job.