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West Virginia Teachers Chatboard

I <3 snow days!

by Doubting Thomas

Dec 6, 2010

Some might complain, but I LOVE snow!

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NPteacher I love SNOW, but I don't want snow days. They throw my lesson plans into a tizzy, and I don't want to be in school in 98 degree weather!

On 12/06/10, Doubting Thomas wrote: > Some might complain, but I LOVE snow!

Dec 6, 2010

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Working on snow days

by Sam

Dec 15, 2010

Have you heard that the new board member from Raleigh County (Richard Jarrell) is advocating a schedule for teachers to work from 10-2 on snow days?Does he not understand just how much time we spend working at home? This is an insult to our profession. Most of us have masters degrees. Wouldn't that be worth more than the 30-40 thousand dollars we e...See More

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Whiner! No contract since 2004 and salaries frozen; but we do get cosmetic and Lasik surgery as part of our health insurance. Administrators side with students against teachers, chew out teachers in front of students, and our school district can barely achieve a 50 percent graduation rate (but, of course, that's all the teachers' fault - or so the parents ...See MoreNo contract since 2004 and salaries frozen; but we do get cosmetic and Lasik surgery as part of our health insurance. Administrators side with students against teachers, chew out teachers in front of students, and our school district can barely achieve a 50 percent graduation rate (but, of course, that's all the teachers' fault - or so the parents and politicians keep saying to whoever will listen). But there's great food, wonderful architecture, and relatively inexpensive real estate; and whenever there's a snow storm, people are always out helping one another. On 12/24/10, NON NATIVE WV LOVER wrote: > Hello! I working in the Eastern Panhandle school and only last > Friday there was snow so it closed for just one day! > > We get a salary bonus adjustment in the fall and spring, how > about where you live? > > Have a Happy Holiday and Happy New Year! > > > > > On 12/22/10, Whiner! wrote: >> But since some snow in West Virginia is normal, it could >> be argued that you should be prepared for a certain amount >> of snow, even a certain amount that is beyond what you >> normally receive. However, the skill needed (or, more >> accurately, the caution needed) to drive in a foot of snow >> is no different in one part of the country than it is in >> another - it's just that some parts don't experience it >> very often. >> >> But, alas, even places that are famous for snow - like >> Buffalo, NY - have snow days. >> On 12/22/10, FrancisFelus wrote: >>>> The weather in West Virginia is nothing compared to >>>> other parts of the >>>> country - like Minnesota and the Dakotas; so, whether >>>> there should be any talk of snow days is subject to >>>> debate. >>> >>> The arguement that we shouldn't have snow days because >>> the weather is worse in other areas of the country >>> doesn't hold water. It isn't a matter of how much snow >>> an area gets, it is a matter of infrastructure, and how >>> the area is equipped to handle that snow. An inch of >>> snow in Virginia is a guarantee that schools will be >>> closed. Same thing in the Carolinas. Now an inch of >>> snow in WV is nothing because we have plows to handle >>> it. But we aren't equipped to handle a foot of show >>> like the Dakotas. Its the same thing as when Obama came >>> out and said Washington was a bunch of wimps and that >>> there weren't any snow days in Chicago. Thats because >>> Chicago spends millions in snow removal plans because >>> they know the weather is coming. That wouldnt make >>> fiscal sense here even though it would mean no snow >>> days.

Dec 30, 2010

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Realistic HEY WHINER WHAT COUNTY IS THIS? Morgan?

On 12/30/10, Whiner! wrote: > No contract since 2004 and salaries frozen; but we do get cosmetic > and Lasik surgery as part of our health insurance. Administrators > side with students against teachers, chew out teachers in front of > students, and our school district can barely achieve ...See MoreHEY WHINER WHAT COUNTY IS THIS? Morgan?

On 12/30/10, Whiner! wrote: > No contract since 2004 and salaries frozen; but we do get cosmetic > and Lasik surgery as part of our health insurance. Administrators > side with students against teachers, chew out teachers in front of > students, and our school district can barely achieve a 50 percent > graduation rate (but, of course, that's all the teachers' fault - > or so the parents and politicians keep saying to whoever will > listen). But there's great food, wonderful architecture, and > relatively inexpensive real estate; and whenever there's a snow > storm, people are always out helping one another. > On 12/24/10, NON NATIVE WV LOVER wrote: >> Hello! I working in the Eastern Panhandle school and only last >> Friday there was snow so it closed for just one day! >> >> We get a salary bonus adjustment in the fall and spring, how >> about where you live? >> >> Have a Happy Holiday and Happy New Year! >> >> >> >> >> On 12/22/10, Whiner! wrote: >>> But since some snow in West Virginia is normal, it could >>> be argued that you should be prepared for a certain amount >>> of snow, even a certain amount that is beyond what you >>> normally receive. However, the skill needed (or, more >>> accurately, the caution needed) to drive in a foot of snow >>> is no different in one part of the country than it is in >>> another - it's just that some parts don't experience it >>> very often. >>> >>> But, alas, even places that are famous for snow - like >>> Buffalo, NY - have snow days. >>> On 12/22/10, FrancisFelus wrote: >>>>> The weather in West Virginia is nothing compared to >>>>> other parts of the >>>>> country - like Minnesota and the Dakotas; so, whether >>>>> there should be any talk of snow days is subject to >>>>> debate. >>>> >>>> The arguement that we shouldn't have snow days because >>>> the weather is worse in other areas of the country >>>> doesn't hold water. It isn't a matter of how much snow >>>> an area gets, it is a matter of infrastructure, and how >>>> the area is equipped to handle that snow. An inch of >>>> snow in Virginia is a guarantee that schools will be >>>> closed. Same thing in the Carolinas. Now an inch of >>>> snow in WV is nothing because we have plows to handle >>>> it. But we aren't equipped to handle a foot of show >>>> like the Dakotas. Its the same thing as when Obama came >>>> out and said Washington was a bunch of wimps and that >>>> there weren't any snow days in Chicago. Thats because >>>> Chicago spends millions in snow removal plans because >>>> they know the weather is coming. That wouldnt make >>>> fiscal sense here even though it would mean no snow >>>> days.

Dec 30, 2010

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Attendance

by Hmmmm

Dec 19, 2010

Let's see now....

Senator Byrd: 97% attendance rate over 50 years. Senator Manchin: (in office less than 1 month): I skipped the major votes to attend a Christmas party in Pittsburgh!

Wow, can we randomly miss work and still get paid as well?

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teabagger logic On 12/19/10, Hmmmm wrote: > Let's see now.... > > Senator Byrd: 97% attendance rate over 50 years. > Senator Manchin: (in office less than 1 month): I skipped > the major votes to attend a Christmas party in Pittsburgh! > > Wow, can we randomly miss work and still get paid as well?

Only a teabagger or possible creation...See More

Dec 20, 2010

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let's see As I recall, and is listed in Hoppy's column today:

Senator Byrd was wheeled in from a hospital bed to cast key votes last year when he was very, very ill. That, my friend, is class.

Manchin ran claiming he would be there the way Senator Byrd was. Senator Robert C. Byrd made very sure he did his job. Senator No Show Joe was too sc...See More

Dec 21, 2010

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Happy New Year

by Happy

Dec 31, 2010

I hope all WV school employees have a Happy New Year!

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WV Wild and Wonderful Hello! I was reading today in the Washington Post about "Schools Prepare for National Standards" in a survey of 36 states (not sure which ones) asking whether they will make the education changes listed below:

. New state tests. 36 (yes)

. New curriculum materials - 33 (yes) and 3 (no)

. New teacher training - 33 (yes) a...See More

Jan 10, 2011

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Doubting Thomas Bonus? What's a Bonus? Snow Days?

Jan 11, 2011

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MakeChangeCount.com Financial Literacy Pledge Materials

by Adam Guy

Jan 7, 2011

Boys & Girls Clubs of America has launched a national on- line financial literacy pledge called [link removed].

The site asks teens to offer their first name, year of birth and zip code and submit. It also invites the pledge taker to share the pledge with peers via social media. We are not asking anyone to register or capturing e-mail ...See More

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Salary increases for service personnel

by Aimee

Jan 13, 2011

So glad to hear the service personnel will be taken care of if the salary increases are approved. That guarantees the older ones continue to make more than teachers with 10 years experience and a masters degree. Good thinking Gov. Your teachers will be happy to work harder for you. Bring on all the new skills you'd like us to address. No problem.

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Aimee Wonderfully written "Gotta Weigh-In". Money for our raises could be found if these extreme salaries and overtime "deals" were stopped. We put tons of money into an education and do not receive salary increases or opportunities for overtime. SP bring only life experience to the table(which everyone has) and make better salaries than professionals. H...See MoreWonderfully written "Gotta Weigh-In". Money for our raises could be found if these extreme salaries and overtime "deals" were stopped. We put tons of money into an education and do not receive salary increases or opportunities for overtime. SP bring only life experience to the table(which everyone has) and make better salaries than professionals. How is this fair---and more importantly, why do we allow it to continue?

On 1/28/11, Gotta Weigh-In!! wrote: > On 1/25/11, Francisfelus wrote: > Hey Frannie- > I don't know what school YOU are referring to, but every > school I've ever taught at treats the Service personnel > MUCH MUCH better than the teachers!!! Gwad knows most > school systems fall all over themselves to treat SP's like > administrators and keep them happy! > > How much OVERTIME do classroom teachers get for their > extra 3-6 HUNDRED HOURS of school related work a > year,...hummmmmmm? I know bus drivers that make time and a > half to sit and watch a couple ball games. What about the > custodian that charges 6 hours overtime to dry-mop a gym > floor and empty three trash cans after a dance? Don't > preach to me about SP's poor poor existance. I've already > spent nearly a thousand dollars out of pocket for supplies > this year - has your school cook done that? NONE of these > people would get HALF the salary and benefits they get now > in the private sector - but the opposite is true of MA > degreed teachers. > I do not dislike SP's, and most do a decent job - just > don't tell me (after 24 years teaching and KNOWING the > deal) that the pay between teachers and SP's in WV is > remotely fair or an equatible situation!!! > Under your salary classifaction scenero Frannie - how much > does that poor custodian get if he works even 50 hours > overtime (about one-tenth what I'll put in this year in > grading, tutoring, mentoring, asst. coaching, weekend > lesson planning, etc., etc)? > I can tell you exactly what I'm gonna get - nada! > > >> Thanks for your hard work and dedication Tweaked. You >> are appreciated. For >> what it's worth, I think you guys deserve a lot more >> money than you get. I work in a high school, and I have >> seen some of the attitudes when it comes to service >> personnel. You all deserve as much respect as everyone >> else for what you do. I hate it when I see people >> looking down on aids and custodians like they are >> beneath them. We all work together as a team. Case in >> point, the thing every college professor tells new >> grads is that when you get into a school, first off, >> make friends with the custodians and secretaries. They >> control the keys to the kingdom. >> >> On 1/24/11, tweaked off wrote: >>> Thank you Francisfelus! As a service personnel with >>> 31 years of service I feel that I have earned what I >>> am making. And yes, I have college credit too and >>> will use that to become a paraprofessional in a few >>> more years. The pay scale you quoted is accurate as >>> far as I can tell. I am all for teacher raises and >>> NOT because I get a small percentage too but because >>> we need to KEEP the good teachers here in the state. >>> The other poster pretty much says that we are a dime >>> a dozen and yes,that is sadly true. Pride in the work >>> that I do and the compassion that I show the children >>> let me sleep at night, not worrying about who is >>> making more money than me. If I were a teacher and >>> worried about the money aspect of teaching I would >>> get out of this state. >>> >>> >>> On 1/24/11, Francisfelus wrote: >>>> I love my service personnel. The ones I know work >>>> extremely hard for their money, and I have no >>>> problem with paying them what they earn. As far as >>>> making more than a teacher, I would love to know >>>> what county pay scale you are quoting from to make >>>> that assumption. Here in Berkeley, a service person >>>> with thirty years of experience who is in the >>>> highest pay catagorie makes $32,470. A teacher with >>>> a basic BA and no experience maks $33,00. So a >>>> college kid with a very basic degree trumps a >>>> service person who has been working for thirty >>>> years. >>>> >>>> On 1/23/11, SP State wrote: >>>>> I agree with Aimee. Service personnel salaries >>>>> should never equate with a teacher salary. Add to >>>>> Aimee's reasoning that many >>>> young >>>>> teachers are still paying off college loans. Why >>>>> would they want to stay, or come to a state that >>>>> pays service personnel as much, if not more than >>>>> many teachers? So Aimee where exactly did you get >>>>> your >>>> information from? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 1/20/11, Aimee wrote: >>>>>> No, I don't feel better. I have a masters >>>>>> degree which cost a lot of money.What do you >>>>>> bring to the table that hundreds of others in >>>>>> the work force don't have? You have a difficult >>>>>> job. I don't disagree with that. I have issues >>>>>> with the fact that you have no special >>>>>> qualifications, yet continue to receive step >>>>>> raises etc. through the years. How far above >>>>>> minimum wage are you right now? You could be >>>>>> replaced tomorrow with someone who would be >>>>>> happy to make minimum wage and have health >>>>>> insurance.I think you should receive an >>>>>> adequate salary for what you do. I don't think >>>>>> you should ever make as much as a teacher who >>>>>> spent time, money and effort to go to college >>>>>> to get a degree. No disrespect intended. I just >>>>>> think service personnel jobs should be >>>>>> controlled by an outside agency who gives fair, >>>>>> but not exceptional wages for jobs anyone could >>>>>> do. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On 1/20/11, tweaked off wrote: >>>>>>> Aimee, I'm sorry that you feel that way! >>>>>>> Service personnel work snow days while you >>>>>>> sit home safe and warm, we clean YOUR messes >>>>>>> (not just the messes from the students).. and >>>>>>> you think because you are fresh out of >>>>>>> college that you deserve a bigger salary than >>>>>>> somebody that has 30 years of service? Sorry! >>>>>>> We were busting our humps while you were >>>>>>> still in diapers. Plus, service personnel >>>>>>> only get HALF of what you get. Do you feel >>>>>>> better now? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 1/13/11, Aimee wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> So glad to hear the service personnel will >>>>>>>> be taken care of if the salary increases >>>>>>>> are approved. That guarantees the older >>>>>>>> ones continue to make more than teachers >>>>>>>> with 10 years experience and a masters >>>>>>>> degree. Good thinking Gov. Your teachers >>>>>>>> will be happy to work harder for you. Bring >>>>>>>> on all the new skills you'd like us to >>>>>>>> address. No problem.

Jan 29, 2011

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JMO Has anyone heard anything about the "audit" that King Joe called for several months ago?

On 1/29/11, Aimee wrote: > > Wonderfully written "Gotta Weigh-In". Money for our raises > could be found if these extreme salaries and overtime "deals" > were stopped. We put tons of money into an education and do not > receive salary i...See More

Jan 31, 2011

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monthly teacher retirement salary

by Michael

Jan 17, 2011

What is the monthly retirement salary for a teacher with 30 years experience

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in the know On 1/17/11, Michael wrote: > What is the monthly retirement salary for a teacher > with 30 years experience

It is a simple formula the number of years times 2% for each year of service only if over 55.

Jan 24, 2011

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buckhunter217 On 1/20/11, Francisfelus wrote: > The unused sick leave perk was eliminated by the legislature > during the mid 90's. New teachers do not have that option. Use > those days, they aren't worth anything, even for extra > insurance. Just another awesome "perk" that we traded for in > lieu of salary during the last strike that has been t...See More

Feb 7, 2011

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teacher bonus

by jeremy

Jan 18, 2011

Anyone know if the proposed teacher bonus covers substite teachers in any way?

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Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, FL Every year, Florida's students, schools and districts are graded based on their performance. Now, it's time to start rating parents, a state lawmaker says.

State Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, filed a bill Tuesday that would require elementary school teachers to evaluate parents based on "the quality" of their involvement in their childre...See More

Jan 18, 2011

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Julie Samples Okay, so much of the outcry about the bill Rep Stargel has put on the table has been about grading the parent. That is not what it is all about, but of course, it's what has been centered on. Grading was just proposed for 3rd grade on down, and of course, there would be extenuating factors understood by the teachers. For instance, ESE kids, kids wh...See More

Jan 19, 2011

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teacher salaries in West Virginia

by runner

Jan 19, 2011

What is the average salary in West Virginia who has a masters with 30 years experience.

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Good! That money was never intended to sustain employee positions. If counties posted positions funded with stimulus money, they should have posted it as a temporary position. In my county, most of the stimulus money went to fluff positions anyway. So, no one will miss them.

Maybe my taxes will go down if Obama stops "stimululating" state govern...See MoreThat money was never intended to sustain employee positions. If counties posted positions funded with stimulus money, they should have posted it as a temporary position. In my county, most of the stimulus money went to fluff positions anyway. So, no one will miss them.

Maybe my taxes will go down if Obama stops "stimululating" state government and corporate America.

On 2/08/11, Stimulus $ running out wrote: > Layoffs nationwide for many! > > > > > On 2/07/11, Truth Exposed wrote: >> Does anyone know where we can gain access to the entire 55 >> county list? The list that is posted in the local newspaper only >> ranks the top five and bottom five counties in WV. >> As a teacher in the eastern panhandle, I find it appalling that we >> are not provided a fair salary in order to pay rent or a mortgage >> when the vast majority of teachers in the state live relatively >> comfortably and are actually able to save some money. It is >> disgraceful that so many teachers in the eastern panhandle have to >> work a second job in order to make ends meet. >> It would be nice if all teachers in the state could come >> together and support locality pay now that the county assessors have >> been forced to list their county's average cost of housing. The >> proof for the high cost of living in the eastern panhandle has been >> exposed for the rest of the state to see clearly in black and white. >> It would be nice if my union, the WVEA, would step up and realize >> that they need to fight for us over in this part of the state. I'd >> like to see the AFT do the same. I doubt it will ever happen though >> because they are afraid of ticking their members off and losing >> revenue from their outrageous annual dues. >> >> >> On 2/05/11, Locality Pay wrote: >>> Housing index puts Jefferson at top of list >>> February 3, 2011 - By John McVey, Journal staff writer >>> Save | Post a comment | >>> MARTINSBURG - West Virginia's first cost-of-housing index mandated >>> by state law was released earlier this week. >>> >>> Sponsored by state Sen. Herb Snyder, D-Jefferson, and passed >>> during last year's legislative session, Senate Bill 379 required >>> the state tax to compile the average housing costs for each of >>> West Virginia's 55 counties and supply that information to state >>> legislators every year. >>> >>> The information is provided by each county's assessors office and >>> is based on the assessors' appraised market value of houses in the >>> counties. >>> >>> Jefferson County leads the list with an average value of $248,117 >>> for the 2010 tax year. That is more than two and a quarter times >>> the state average and more than 13 times greater than the lowest >>> value. >>> >>> Jefferson is followed by Berkeley County at $205,382, Hampshire >>> County at $198,915 and Morgan County at $198,211. >>> >>> The statewide average is $110,077. >>> >>> McDowell County is last, with an average value of $18,800. >>> >>> The purpose of the list is to show the extreme disparity between >>> housing costs across the state, Snyder explained, which has an >>> impact on pay for many state employees, like teachers, state >>> troopers, social workers, highways employees and others. >>> >>> "All state employees are paid the same," he said in a telephone >>> interview Thursday. "The price of milk and groceries might be >>> about the same anywhere in the state, but there's a wide >>> difference in the cost of housing." >>> >>> The list will help with efforts to establish so-called locality >>> pay, which means higher pay for state employees working in parts >>> of the state where the cost of living is higher, Snyder said. >>> >>> "This is the foundation - we've poured the footers," he >>> said. "This is what we've been telling (legislators from other >>> parts of the state) for years, but it fell on deaf ears." >>> >>> Snyder said Sondra Lucht made the same argument for locality pay >>> for teachers when she served in the state Senate in the late 1980s >>> and early 1990s, representing Berkeley County. >>> >>> "This validates our argument," Snyder said, "and the cost of >>> housing is at the heart or our argument." >>> >>> He added that the data shows how the flat $20,000 homestead >>> exemption for seniors is unfair to homeowners in Jefferson and >>> Berkeley counties because the same home in another county can be >>> appraised for much less, allowing that owner to deduct a much >>> larger percentage of the property tax assessment than the >>> homeowner in Jefferson or Berkeley counties. >>>

Feb 9, 2011

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teachtilidieorstarve It would be nice if all teachers in the state could come > together and support locality pay now that the county assessors have > been forced to list their county's average cost of housing. The > proof for the high cost of living in the eastern panhandle has been > exposed for the rest of the state to see clearly in black and white. >...See More

Feb 10, 2011

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