Commack Teacher Contract

[Bonehead]

former Commack resident wrote:

I used to live in Commack and high taxes caused me to leave. The schools in Commack are good, but overrated and overpriced. What would happen if they froze the teacher salaries for the next five years? Do you think any teachers would leave? Hell NO! They not only get these ludicrous salaries, but also full, free benefits....
What is worse is the patronage and the number of overpaid administrators who do nothing but siphen money from hardworking taxpayerss.

What would happen if you didn't pay proper salaries to any profession is that less people would invest their college tuition and energy towards that profession. You would have less teachers to choose from and you would have to settle on a less qualified candidate for the job.

3 things draw teachers to the Commack school district - money, professional environment and the quality of the students. Residents that want their kids to get a quality pay and appreciate the teachers' efforts.

Do you know the financial investment and the amount of time it takes to become a teacher? Do you know how hard it is to become tenured in Commack?

[Bonehead]

overtaxed wrote:

Does anybody think that it is fishy that Commack has a director of guidance for the middle and high schools who is only in his thirties (but has "lots of experience according to the Commack newsletter) and is related by marriage to a member of the Board????? NEPOTISM, anybody?

There clearly are some cases of nepotism and the superintedant is trying to restrict conflicts as best as possible.

[KJW]

It's not just commack.. you can see all ny state contracts by district at www.seethroughny.net . Go check out the contract for Central Islip, CI is a low income district and look at what a teacher at top pay will make in 2015. That doesn't include the longevity pay which will add about 12000. I actually believe teachers should be paid well, just lose tenure. I want my child to be taught by a highly qualified person and the only way to get them is to reward them with a good contract. Tenure is the cause of what everyone is crying about, it gives the teacher the ability to cut corners and be lazy. That is why Charter schools are doing so well in the city, as compared to PS in the city. They are help accountable, but they stil don't compare to the level of education the kids are receiving here on LI.

[lazy teacher]

Say what you will about how "highly paid" teachers are in this district, but I'd challenge you to find a commack teacher who can support his family on that salary while paying the commack tax rate.

..and for those of you who think teachers don't work hard: no accountant or general contractor has to deal with the heartbreak that comes with a beloved student commiting suicide or harbor the pain of knowing that one of their students is being physically or sexually abused.

If it is such an "easy" gig, why don't all of you go out and get the masters degree necessary to do the job?

[a teacher]

Why Teachers wrote:

A short description of The Long Island, NY Teacher:
A) Works 7 1/4 hours a day, has 45 minute lunch and 45 minute "professional" period (they usually grade papers at this time)
B) Works 182 days (sometimes less)
C) Loves to teach the same old curriculum year after year after year
D) Gets tremendous raises because of educational credits and inservice credits (They'll even tell you, they got nothing from the course, but they'll get a huge raise for the credits)
E) Tells you they only get a 4 % raise, but they don't tell you they get a step too, which is really an 8 to 10 % raise
F) Can easily make $100,000 (base pay) with only 10 years of service
G) Can easily make 25 % extra with all kinds of stipends
H) Can never get fired, once tenure is given, Even in criminal cases, it usually cost a school district $200,000 in court cost to get rid of a criminal teacher
I) Can walk away with 56 % of their final three year salary average in retirement and can retire at 55
J)Will get "Cost of Living Increase" after 5 years of retirement
Question: Where else in the world can you get in this kind of racket?
PS.. If you don't whole-heartedly agree with the Long Island teacher at parent/techer conferences they become angered and belligerent and verbally challenge you and make you feel small, because they are a "god". Teacher love making you feel small and they are always right. One more thing... teacher are the cheapest people on earth
Teachers will even turn on each other. When its time for budget cuts the $100,000 teacher loves the fact the new $25,000 teacher is getting canned.
Also, some teachers are concerned of you r kids… The average teacher could care less and they show it
There are constantly checking their bank accounts to see if they can enough money for their Lexus and other premium products.
Teachers care less of result decision making data… If the state assessment is too low.. Oh Well.. Too Bad
Teachers don’t like to look at assessment data… They take it personally, even though the data shows what area they need to improve in

I don't know who/what you are referring to, but in my 21 years not one of these "facts" applies to me. You were probably absent from school when your teachers taught you about checking facts before writing them.

[commack]

Instead of complaining, why don't you get educated and get yourself a teaching job. Believe it or not, more of your tax money goes to people on welfare who sit on their asses all day then on teachers who educate your children. Higher pay attracts best qualified teachers.

[Sue W]

Happy wrote:

I suggest you not demand excellence in your schools and not be prepared to pay for it. Go online and find a district anywhere on LI or the entire country, where you like what teachers are getting paid. Then look at that community, their graduation rate and their qualty of life. Ask yourself if you want to live there?

I could not agree with you more. The teachers are so well educated. What is more important than teaching children of all ages?.. They are this country's future.