Are teacher salaries competitive??

[Hit Me]

I don't think so! I am a little ticked because I heard last night that it is in the works to give raises to athletic coaches. Do you know that this will cost the county in excess of $100,000?????? The person who let this slip to me must've thought that I was a fan of the "good ole boys" of Logan Co., well I'm not. In light of the article where it was stated (regarding the Superintendent's raise) that the salary had to be competitive for future prospects, I think it only wise to note the teacher shortage & whether or not their salaries are competitive or are they just competitive for who's first in the food stamp line?? Teacher's are THE most important part of our children's educational process. Why, do tell, is it that our teachers are paid like bottom dwellers & we are ignoring the fact that people in our area are leaving to work in other counties where there are better paying jobs?? I have nothing against athletics, but this is sad. Well, I guess when all the teachers have gone elsewhere or retired, we'll at least have the big wigs & coaches to teach our children the basics.(that's funny considering most of them haven't laid eyes on a kid in a classroom in ages). At this time I'd like to thank the members of our elected board who have consistently let the taxpayers (voters) down in order to take care of their own interests,(ie. their family members, politicians & close knit butt kissers). You know who you are. I wouldn't go much farther out on that limb with your puckered lips poised to plant on someones rear because the taxpayers have the chainsaw at the ready. You guys are supposed to represent the interests of the people, but that's okay because next election we'll find someone who will. Until next time, thanks for another slap in the face.

[Agreed]

Teacher's salaries are NOT competitive with other states which is why we have a shortage of them.
Growing up I wanted to be a teacher, I actually started college in pursuit of a degree in Elementary Education. When I saw the pay rate and what was REALLY going on with the Board of Education I talked to some teachers. I was advised NOT to go into teaching if I wanted to make a good life for myself.
I was told about the system and how only really dedicated individual who were not in it for the money were teachers. Most of them were married and had a second income also to depend on and not just their salary.
This was several years ago and I am sad to say things have not changed. Our teachers are some of the most underpaid overworked individuals you will ever see. Their stress level must be through the roof. I feel so sorry for them because their hands are tied. They went into this career with good intentions and they have gotten crapped on ever since they graduated and got certification!
With the board handing out raises to the superintendent, her cronies, and coaches I think the teachers deserve a little piece of the pie.
I am sorry for ranting but things like this make me FURIOUS! It's so unfair to them!
Think about this BOE: If you treated teachers like the precious commodity that they are, you'd have a lot more of them and not have to BEG people who are not certified teach our kids!!! How can we be prepared for the 21st Century with people who are not highly qualified teaching our children?
Logan County and the State of WV is suffering because of stupid decisions not to appropriate funds in the proper places. Instead of padding all the politicians pockets, why not give the money to the teachers who work day in and day out to TRY and help our children succeed.

[jeanne]

The majority of elected officials in this county feel they are above the law and you saw by the vote, the three board members that feel they can't be touched. The funny thing about that is , one was elected by 9 votes last time and will probably lose by 1,000 in May, 2010 and the other one finished 5th and through a glitch, maintained his seat. He'll be lucky to finish 10th next time, that is, if he is stupid enough to run again.
The reason teacher salaries are not competitive is exactly the facts that have already been mentioned. We passed a bond levy last year that could have given everyone a $1,000 raise.
We gripe at work/home about these things, if we would start attenting board meetings held on 2-4 th Thursdays of each month at 5 pm at the West Logan office and sign up to speak we could get some things changed.
The only ones who attend these meeting are Wilma's suck-ups in the board's office

[Agreed]

Are the meetings always there at that time?

[Hit Me]

Usually, unless they want to throw the public a curve & get something through without our knowledge.

[that is me]

I am one of the teachers with a working husband so we have a second income. I work with another young woman with 3 years experience. She barely makes it month to month. She lives well within her means; not a spendthrift. I feel sorry for her most of the time.
If students ask me about becoming a teacher, I tell them to think twice about it. Mostly because of the pay, but there are other considerations that did not exist when I began that would have caused me to change my mind about becoming a teacher.

[unbelievable]

Hit Me wrote:

I don't think so! I am a little ticked because I heard last night that it is in the works to give raises to athletic coaches. Do you know that this will cost the county in excess of $100,000?????? The person who let this slip to me must've thought that I was a fan of the "good ole boys" of Logan Co., well I'm not. In light of the article where it was stated (regarding the Superintendent's raise) that the salary had to be competitive for future prospects, I think it only wise to note the teacher shortage & whether or not their salaries are competitive or are they just competitive for who's first in the food stamp line?? Teacher's are THE most important part of our children's educational process. Why, do tell, is it that our teachers are paid like bottom dwellers & we are ignoring the fact that people in our area are leaving to work in other counties where there are better paying jobs?? I have nothing against athletics, but this is sad. Well, I guess when all the teachers have gone elsewhere or retired, we'll at least have the big wigs & coaches to teach our children the basics.(that's funny considering most of them haven't laid eyes on a kid in a classroom in ages). At this time I'd like to thank the members of our elected board who have consistently let the taxpayers (voters) down in order to take care of their own interests,(ie. their family members, politicians & close knit butt kissers). You know who you are. I wouldn't go much farther out on that limb with your puckered lips poised to plant on someones rear because the taxpayers have the chainsaw at the ready. You guys are supposed to represent the interests of the people, but that's okay because next election we'll find someone who will. Until next time, thanks for another slap in the face.

Yes, we teachers are underpaid..But, coaches are also underpaid..We are paid on a scale that is almost 20 years ago..Coaches work hard in this county teaching these kids how to become better people and better athletes..

[parent of two]

I think it is awful to give the top dog, who had to have bought her degree, of the system a raise
and not give teachers and service personnel a raise. Wonder if she gave her two ass kissers a raise under the table, does anyone know?

[debbie]

I think that the central office administrators don't deserve any type of raise. When you call any of them, they are always out in the field. Ir must be a big field because some of them are gone for days. Leaving a message does no good, you never have your call returned.

[Hit Me]

unbelievable wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes, we teachers are underpaid..But, coaches are also underpaid..We are paid on a scale that is almost 20 years ago..Coaches work hard in this county teaching these kids how to become better people and better athletes..

I have nothing against athletics whatsoever, but you cannot argue with the fact that we are singling out certain individuals for raises & leaving the teachers by the wayside (again). While I think that sports are very important, they are extracurricular. The classroom teachers are the ones giving these children the basic foundation of their education. With such a shortage as this county has seen in recent years & teachers choosing to teach elsewhere because of the pay I feel that this should take precedence over all else. Surely you cannot disagree with the idea that education should come first & foremost. Not all students are athletes and we need to have more competitive salaries for teachers in order to ensure the children of this county are getting the education that they are entitled to by law. What is instilled in their minds now will follow them their entire lives. I'm sorry, but when your knees are shot, tendons ripped in ungodly places, and your back is permanently injured there is nothing still that can touch or take away your knowledge. Though I sympathize with the ancient pay scale for coaches, I must remind you that the sports & your coaching are all extracurricular. I am stressing the importance of success in education and to that anything extracurricular must take a distant second.

[kyle]

You are right, hit me, but since the county commission runs the board and they are all jocks and super gym teacher is the superintendent, what do you expect?

[stop it]

unbelievable wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes, we teachers are underpaid..But, coaches are also underpaid..We are paid on a scale that is almost 20 years ago..Coaches work hard in this county teaching these kids how to become better people and better athletes..

I don't know any coach in Logan that teaches our kids to be better citizen's or furthermore, I don't know of a coach in Logan that is a role module. They cut-throat any chance they get. There are some coaches on the island that make me sick.

[wow]

stop it wrote:

<quoted text>I don't know any coach in Logan that teaches our kids to be better citizen's or furthermore, I don't know of a coach in Logan that is a role module. They cut-throat any chance they get. There are some coaches on the island that make me sick.

All of the coaches at LMS and LHS are role models, some just go to extremes to get their point across..

[KRAKEE]

Why are teachers always complaining about their salaries? They are one of the highest paid state workers and they get a raise every year.

Not to mention you only work 8 months out of the year for shit's sake. Quit complaining and enjoy your loooooong vacation every friggin' year. Meanwhile, I'll hope and pray that I will be able to schedule my pitiful week of vacation in the summer time.

You people make me sick. What I wouldn't give to be a teacher. Ungrateful whiners.

[teacher 101]

I am sorry that you are so misinformed. I know that is what most people think, we work 10 1/2 months and get the summer off with long vacations at xmas & Thanksgiving. That isn't true anymore:

We work 10 1/2 months in the classroom. We are required to meet the 200 plus days a student needs of instruction. We also have trainings monthly usually twice and we have evenings we stay late other than Parent Teacher Conferences. This summer I have been to two training sessions so far and have more in July and then go back early in August instead of going back a five days before our students do.

I am not complaining about money, I am saying that we work year round. It has been that way for the past few years. We abide by state and federal guidelines PLUS what our county BOE deems necessary for us as far as training. It is an ongoing process.

As for the money, I do think it could be better spent on teachers, coaches, aides, and everyone who works in the schools. Bus Drivers too...we all work very hard and not just for 10 1/2 months a year like everyone thinks.

[Forced Labor]

Do not forget the fact all persons involved in Education whether it be service or professional have to give the state inservice hours to be qualified every year.
And don't forget some of the employees work twelve months a year.
And some employees never get a raise even when teachers do.
See some people in public have a bad misconception about how educational employees out in the schools doing the work get paid - if it was so hunky dory then they would not be searching for professional and service personnel to fill positions all the time.

[Hit Me]

Just for the record, I am not a teacher. I can, however, see the situation for what it is. So, no, I am not a teacher "whining" about my pay. I am simply calling it like I see it. If anyone has any logical arguments as to why education should not trump athletics or the lavish lifestyles of some, I'd sure like to hear them.

[Hit Me]

Ok. I think this boils down to 1 or all of 3 things: 1. People in this area are afraid to talk about some things because they may step on a couple of "big" toes. 2. People in general just absolutely do not care what happens with their tax money, since Logan has always been infamous for it's corruption they just continue to let things happen, or 3. There are no logical reasons or arguments to go against my statements. I truly feel it is "all of the above". It is truly sad that there is not much being said about the core of our children's future being constantly put on the back burner for personal gain, politics, & athletics.

[Hush hush]

I agree with you "Hit Me." It is all three. The ones who don't care are the ones living off the tax payers anyway. The tax payers would speak up if they felt there would not be repercussions. As for stepping on big toes, that goes with the repercussions.
I work for the BOE and would be fired if I spoke my mind. They don't have any other reason to get rid of me, but they would make up a reason. It's happened to others who have been squeaky wheels.
It sounds terrible and like Logan is a little Peyton Place, and you know that's about the truth.
We are controlled by three men in the County Commission, ruthless politicians, and BOE workers who don't give a hoot about anything but padding their pockets and the control they have over all of us who work for the Empire.
If there was a way for me to make a living elsewhere I'd gladly go.

[Hit Me]

It is good to know that someone out there isn't afraid to agree at least anonymously. It is a shame that people fear being fired for no other reason than speaking the truth. There are indeed plenty of ruthless politicians & BOE workers, you've hit the nail on the head there. You know something though? I have a feeling that, in light of the recent events in our political system, their little security blanket may begin to unravel one little thread at a time. It will be nice to see those who've taken advantage of the "little" people for so long have to be held accountable for their actions & reckless decisions. It kinda reminds me of the Paperlace song "The Night Chicago Died" (without the guns of course) I think that some of these powerful bullies will be crying before it's over.