The Gold Standard Teacher Contract
James A. Weaver, President of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, wrote in an article "Let's Push for Salary and Benefits" that teachers are underpaid.
He wants the teacher union bargaining teams to drive wages and benefits higher.
The Oley Valley School District school board members must agree with Mr. Weaver.
They just approved a contract, which has become the gold standard for other teacher unions in the area to emulate.
The highlights of the contract are eye opening.
The five-year agreement will increase teacher salaries by an average 4.6%.
The starting salary will jump from $32,000 to $40,872. The top salary will increase from $70,370 to $80,070.
A family will pay $110 per month for health insurance premiums.
The Medical Pool Fund, which is meant to pay for medical expenses not covered under the health insurance, will grow from $300 to $500 per teacher.
In 2005, the total benefit cost for the instructional staff was $2,600,000. Benefit costs are predicted to rise at a double digit rate.
Tuition reimbursement will rise from $2,200 to $2,800 per teacher.
The teachers also get $50,000 Life Insurance, $50,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefits, and a 66 2/3% Monthly Salary to $3,000 Long Term Disability Income Benefit.
And what does the community get in return for this agreement?
One additional day work year from 186 to 187 days!
Families are not getting 4.6% yearly, salary increases. They are paying far more for health insurance. Yet, the school board continues to give contracts that are not reflecting conditions in the private sector.
31 Comments:
Wow, Wilson school teachers take an ad out in the Reading Eagle saying they want what our generous school board gave our teachers. What are we made of. They have more stores, companies and homes to pay there teachers, we do not!! Wilson school board at least for now have some strong morals and compassion for the people, we do not!!!
Hamburg gets rid of their Asst. Super, how about we do the same!!!
I would not say generous about our school board the phrase I would use is OUT OF TOUCH!!
Get rid of assistants? Why start so low? Take the cream off of the top of the lop-sided budget. What does Zackon do that the next guy down the ladder can't accomplish? What does the principal do that the lower paid guy can't handle. I'm betting it's NOTHING.
Cut back on the cost of those school nurses. Ask Dr. Cappa to kindly donate his services. He can probably handle sticking a thermometor in the right spot. Once he's done advertising for Tri-County Toyota, he probably has plenty of time. Idle hands are the devil's workshop.
Cappa as a school nurse stand in? hehehe, Finally...something to convince the kids that they're NOT sick enough to go to the school nurse!
Cappa do something for free?
Cappa is up to his old tricks again. Anyone that goes down Main St. this weekend will see his Tri- County sign. This man is totally out of touch. The bikers do not care about Tri-County Toyota, if the sign said Harley Davidson maybe you would get a response. Do something productive with your life Cappa!!!
How do you know it's Mr. Cappa that puts up that stupid sign? Maybe it's the little Mrs? She does not appear to have much more in the line of common sense or morals, either. After all, she's using his last name!
TRUE, TRUE!!
STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES!!!!
IS OLEY SCHOOL BOARD UNAMERICAN?
Harsh words? Yes! Yes they are.
The AMERICA that I was raised to support, protect, and LOVE, has been slipping away an inch at a time. We can see this in our everyday life. As the years go by, all anyone needs to do is sit on a bench in any mall. Watch what comes and goes, and also "listen." We have a new generation of disrespectful youth. It is sad to see and hear this. You can state that the problem begins in each home. This, in part, is true. When did the family stop caring? Did this escalate when many families began to require that both parents hold full time jobs? That is partly to blame. Second blame gets placed in our schools. When the economy reaches the point that it's a 100% necessity to have both parents work AT LEAST ONE JOB EACH....that is when we can cast a glance in the direction of our school boards. I am not picking on Oley's school board exclusively, but I am stating this because this is where I LIVE. I care that many other schools have similar problems, but I care MORE about the problems in Oley, naturally, because I see the results right HERE, in our home town. We've produced some great students in Oley, but as the years pass, the percentage of great students is getting smaller and smaller. Why? This is not a letter to complain about the insane tax rate we are enduring. Although, the number of citizens that are having severe problems paying their taxes far exceeds the number of outstanding students which are graduating from Oley High School. WHY DOES OUR BOARD SIT WITH BROAD SMILES ON THEIR FACES, AS IF THEY'VE PERSONALLY ASSISTED EACH STUDENT THAT HAS MANAGED TO "PASS" EACH GRADE LEVEL TEST? Go back 20 or 30 years and attempt to recall what the students were like back then. If you were not here, or if you just can't remember, I will help out out on this one. THE KIDS WERE TERRIFIC. THEY WERE HARD WORKERS, THEY TRIED THEIR BEST WITH THEIR STUDIES, AND THEY WERE GOOD, HAPPY KIDS. NOT TO MENTION POLITE. Who do we blame for the mess we have now? The Superintendant? The Principal? Perhaps each individual teacher? They all play a part here, in fact, and the board does, too. The board willingly rewards teachers with raises and benefits, but I can't figure out why. Does this make sense to anyone? Poor test grades, bad attitudes, "coaching" kids to be able to pass basic tests? When I went to school, that was called CHEATING. If the kids cheated, they paid the price. God forbid, if the TEACHERS CHEATED....I'm fairly certain that they would have been FIRED. Well, we sure do live in a changing world, I guess. Now we have a school that is primarily filled with smart mouth kids that drive expensive cars and show little or no respect for their teachers, or the general public. Where did all of this trickle down from? Put on your thinking cap and make a guess. Have you narrowed down the choices? Come to a school board meeting and find out a big part of that answer. If our students are disrespectful to the teachers, and the teachers have to please the superintendant??? And the Superintendant works hand in hand with the school board President and it's members???? It's not hard to figure out at this point. How can we take our school board seriously when it is clear that they don't take their positions on the board seriously? (need something new and flashy??? Just raise the taxes) A very small percentage of the board members seem to have the interest of EVERYONE in mind. And, that small percentage is not enough to balance out the rest of the current board. Not to mention the President and the other higher ups.
After serving 4 years in the Navy, I do wonder if ANY of the board members has any military experience. It takes about 3 whole days to know what is expected of you when you're in the military. This is because your life, and the lives of many others depends on it. This board passed their 3 days a long, long time ago.
Unamerican? Yes, I do feel it's unamerican to graduate students that can't hold their own. I also feel it's unamerican to tax people right out of the homes. The current board is GUILTY of all of that, and more. Add to that, the flippant attitdues openly shown at board meetings, and what faith could we possibly have in the current board? I have none/ Many have none. It is bad enough that the board does not respect the people that are able to attend the meetings, they also lack respect for those working a second job to finance their rising taxes.
If teachers are able to legally strike to get what ever they want/demand....then the taxpayers who pay those teachers deserve the same right.
The above comment is 100% correct. Read the above board members and really try to think about what is being said. You people are killing this school district. Bring it back to the way it was. You are accountable for making this district the way it should be. Get off this board if you cannot handle doing what is right. We need a complete overhaul.
Re: Oley School Board unAmerican?
Thanks to the person who penned this thoughtful comment. You are 100% correct. We need individuals like this person to help replace the current school board.
The best suited people to fill school board positions would be those that have had to make their family's budget work, because they had no other choice. Board members that are accustomed to working with other people's money, tend to be careless, as it's not coming out of their pocket.
Dear Dr. Cappa,
Howdeee! How have you been? I know you're not nearly as busy as you were when you were working as....a doctor. Golly gosh, that must have been interesting. Did you have trouble keeping a straight face then, too? You know, like when you had to tell someone that they had an incurable disease? Were you a wise guy then, too? Somehow, I can't see you being any different than the way you portray yourself today. How proud you must be to have an ENTIRE COMMUNITY gagging at the thought of YOU being partially responsible for our failing school board, and in turn, our failing students.
Got a recipe for the ladies auxiliary posting yet? Come on. Surely you can think of SOMETHING that is not too TAXING.
Yes, people of the Oley Valley are interested in recipes. That's because we are down to earth people. We ran on a gravel track, and lived to tell the story. We ate Tuna Boats, and got a kick out of the cafeteria ladies that served them up.
We sent our graduates to AMERICAN schools! We bought Fords and Chevys, we all knew better than to buy a Toyota. What's your excuse?
WE LOVED OLEY..... B.C.
thats's...BEFORE CAPPA
HOW MANY MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD WILLINGLY SEND THEIR OWN CHILDREN TO OLEY SCHOOLS? HOW MANY HOME SCHOOL, AND WHY? DID YOU EVER HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH A KID THAT WAS HOME SCHOOLED? WHAT A SAD SIGHT THAT CAN BE. I DON'T CARE HOW HIGH THEIR TEST SCORES ARE, IF THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT BASIC TASKS AS A CLERK, CASHIER, ETC, AT AGE 18, HOW ARE THEY EVER GOING TO KNOW HOW TO "act" IN REAL LIFE?
HOME SCHOOLING IS NOT REAL LIFE. YOUR KIDS ARE IN A BUBBLE THAT MOMMY GUARDS. ONE DAY, GOOD OLD MOMMY WON'T BE THERE, THEN WHAT?
Re: Unamerican school board?
Man, you hit the nail right on the head. The Oley Valley citizens better ALL figure out how to get their tails to the polls and vote this pack of thieves out of the school board positions. We have an obligation to our children, grandchildren, and everyone's children in Oley Schools, do to what's best for them, at a cost the taxpayers can afford. Don't hold your breath waiting for the government to pass some magical program that will give tax relief. Most of us won't live to see that come true.
ding dang
hain't nobody 'round these here parts what takes a likin' to the old DOC, am thar?
'splain it, DOC....
folks gotta have a reason for not takin' a fancy to yer sheeee-nanigans.
I agree with most of the conservative thinking posted on this site, except I really don't like the bashing that is done on individuals. I also prefer to stick to the facts, board members votes and record and positions on issues and skip the character assassinations. There but by the grace of God goeth I.
However, as to home schooled children. I've never met a home schooler who couldn't make change. I've RARELY met a government schooled kid that could even after graduation. My sister home schooled her son from 3rd through 9th grade, and then he went to private school. He is graduating with honors from a fine college in Virginia this month.
IT IS A FACT, homeschoolers are by far better educated and better able to relate to real life issues than the great majority of kids coming out of the government schools. See how many of our legislators don't send their kids to government schools. They know the truth. Who can blame anyone (including board members) for not wanting their children in government schools. Anyone paying school taxes entitles them to a voice whether they are childless or their kids are in private or home schools.
Secondly, home schooled kids have more discipline -- which leads to self-discipline, real socialization and real life interaction than most government schooled children because of the plethora of activities they participate in throughout the week and interaction with other home schooled kids from other areas of the state, neighborhoods, socio-economic groupings and family structure.
My grand-nephew is now being homeschooled for his 3rd year of elementary school. He is testing (real academic tests -- not PSSA's) at 5th grade for reading and reading comprehension, math and english and at and above grade level in all other subjects. His classes are custom structured to his personal levels in every subject. He is one of the most thoughtfully intelligent, well-mannered, articulate, well-adjusted and happy kids you'd ever want to meet. Sadly, not something that can be said about most goverment schooled children. He is in a soccer league, karate, piano and other advanced classes.
Finally, check the records for the percentages of home schooled children who participate and win the national geography, spelling and math competitions. That's an eye opener. Home schoolers are often educated for about $600 a year in curriculum costs by families who do their own teaching -- rather than internet schools. These kids place higher in all REAL academic measurement tests and go on to live very well grounded and productive lives.
If you're going to bash something, please get acquainted with the facts first.
...the letter said....'DID YOU EVER WORK...
W O R K...WITH A HOME SCHOOLED KID? TAKING THE TESTS ARE ONE THING, WORKING WITH THEM IS SOMETHING ELSE AGAIN. AND THAT...IS A
F A C T.
WE'VE ATTEMPTED TO HIRE OVER A DOZEN HOME SCHOOLED KIDS FOR SUMMER HELP. THEY WERE NICE, POLITE, CLEAN AND NEAT...BUT THERE WAS A GIANT VOID WHEN IT CAME TO MANY OTHER AREAS.
To the person knocking home schooled children's working ability - very frankly you are full of it. Take a look at the kid's working at King's - and just for your information, they are not home-schooled. Some of them could not find their way out of a paper bag.
..."I really don't like the bashing done on individuals...."
This is how normal people react when they are pushed beyond a reasonable limit. Several board members, including the President of the school board, show a tremendous lack of professionalism in their words and deeds. Sadly, we have to admit that if the ENTIRE voting public does not bother to vote, and vote them out, the rest of us have to pay the price. This is a sinfully unorganized bunch of voters. What is their logic? As long as they can comfortably write out that rising tax check, all is well? Many can not. What happens to the seniors or the young couples that run into a medical problem with a child, etc? Are they run out of town on a rail?
I disagree with the bashing, only because it's all done by "anonymous said..."
Come to the meetings, Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous! Show your face and be taken seriously. Of course, you can't tell the board much, since you only get a few minutes, but you do at least get that.
If that does not make you feel any better, ORGANIZE a full scale group of like minded people. Get together once or twice a month, more if need be. Harbouring these ill thoughts about certain board members is not good for your health. The last thing we should ever want to do is please the members of the board that are driving us nuts to begin with. Don't give them the satisfaction.
The board members that are total jerks, already know it. They don't need their egos boosted by reading about themselves on here.
WE ARE NOT BASHING WE ARE TELLING THE SAD TRUTH. IF YOU CAME TO THE MEETINGS AND SAW FOR YOURSELF THE WAY THEY TREAT PEOPLE AND HOW THEY VOTE, AND USE OUR MONEY YOU WOULD SEE WHAT WE SEE. IF THEY CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN!!! CHANGE NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY. PARENTS CANNOT BE AFRAID OF THESE MONSTERS ANYMORE.
WE ARE NOT BASHING WE ARE TELLING THE SAD TRUTH. IF YOU CAME TO THE MEETINGS AND SAW FOR YOURSELF THE WAY THEY TREAT PEOPLE AND HOW THEY VOTE, AND USE OUR MONEY YOU WOULD SEE WHAT WE SEE. IF THEY CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN!!! CHANGE NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY. PARENTS CANNOT BE AFRAID OF THESE MONSTERS ANYMORE.
Hey ALL CAPS basher. The voters of Oley elected Cappa. If everyone knows about him, why did he get elected when there were at least 3 other candidates that didn't even make it through the primary? P.S. Conerning home schoolers, just because one person had one experience with one or two home schooled kids who didn't live up to her expectations, you can not generalize and condem all home schoolers. They are IN FACT better academic achievers.
I do believe in the home school children. They are better achievers. I did not vote for Cappa, the majority of his votes can from teachers that live in this district. He told them he would help them at contract time. This in itself is against the law and a conflict of interest. Believe me I did not want him on this board.
The dear, old doctor will fade away from the school board scene, the same way he faded away from the medical world. There will, again, be a community wide sigh of relief. If his heart is in the right place, he's certainly got a strange way of showing it.
Oley teachers have been in the bottom half of the county for years, if not the lowest at times.
"Oley teachers have been in the bottom half of the county for years,if not the lowest at times."
Lowest at what? Ability? Incompetence? I'll agree with that.
Of our "poorly educated students" the class of 2006 has a record percentage going on to secondary eduation. Apparently colleges find education at OVSD in alignment with their requirements.
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