I noticed that White said he would not consider across the board salary reductions for teachers NOR would he reduce HIS salary! When he speaks like this, doesn't he realize it only makes him sound greedy and money-hungry?
If White made the first move and said he'd take a salary reduction, it would show good faith on his part as being intentional about reducing the budget. It would also make him appear more human and increase his approval ratings. He's not a good politician, is he?
As of October 14, 2009 there were 1,107 IPS employees who had an annual salary of at least $65,000. Total compensation $79,964,577. 2% pay cut would equal $1,599,291. Not bad for starters and it is a 6% dent. Take the annual salary level down to $50,000 and I'd bet it would be close if not over 10% of the deficit.
Some of you people live in some kind of mind-altering nutty world, one not based on reality.
On the one hand, you say you want top-quality schools. Yet, you don't want to pay for such schools.
If you did, you wouldn't suggest cutting the pay of ALL staff (teachers and administrators combined), because when you do, you're telling potntial teacher hires not to even look at IPS.
And why would they? Everyone wants job security. There is no such thing in urban education (please spare me the BS from some of you troglodytes). You get what you can afford to pay for.
I don't necessarily agree that you get what you pay for (many high-paid employees in IPS border on worthless) but I do agree that across-the-board salary cuts are unrealistic. I still think if we replaced the 10% worst teachers and the 10% worst administrators and sent the 10% biggest behavior problems to alternative schools that we could save tons of money, not just on high salaries, but on the extra programs that become unnecessary with better-quality leadership, better teachers, and better behaved students. Those 10% cause 90% of the problems.
Don't start that 10% thinking because it never ends. Once the bottom 10% is removed, other kids step up to the plate and become a new bottom 10%. Then you'll want to try to remove them to other schools. What one needs to do is suck it up and teach the ones in front of them instead of trying to send the "badly performing" students to alternate locations. Children respond well to self-fufilling prophecies. Same with teachers. Suck it up and learn to work with the ones in the building instead of doing ones best to knock the lowest ones down so a few can shine.
That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying we use a tremendous amount of resources on disruptive students, ineffective teachers, and out-of-touch administrators. Even though they are a minority, those relatively few people cause 90% of the problems in IPS. If we got rid of the teachers who have no interest in teaching, kids would stop falling through the cracks. If we could move the most disruptive students to one location, we would be able to get much further with the other students. And if we got rid of the 10% of the weakest administrators, we probably wouldn't even have to replace them. If "we get what we pay for" than we out to demand to get what we are paying for, no? And I don't buy into the all-for-one-one-for-all teacher's union mentality regarding sucky teachers. They take more than their share of IPS funding and leave other teachers to pick up their slack with the students they fail to teach. They get NO sympathy from me.
If you really believe in the get what you pay for concept, then we should be talking about performance pay. It is a part of Arne Duncan's continued conversation and it should be here, too. It is coming in the next ten years and I'd welcome it. I would love to be judged on the GROWTH (not test scores) students make in my class. Likewise, if we want to encourage the worst teachers to think about leaving, maybe attaching pay to their results would do that. I'm tired of hearing teachers worry they'll be fired for their test scores, say it will create unhealthy competition, or that teachers won't want certain groups of kids. If you understand what the growth model is you'd know that's not how this works. The day is coming and I'm soooo ready for it!
I agree. I completely support performance pay based on growth of student achievement. I think it is the most fair way of evaluating what teachers are actually accomplishing. I also think it will keep teachers from "teaching to the middle." The best students will have to be given extra challenges, even if they are already years ahead, or they won't grow. Students who are behind will be given appropriate instruction to help them proceed at a reasonable pace. It's win-win-win in my opinion.
Who do you think pays for the students sent to alternative schools? That is the responsiblity of IPS and thus IPS must run the schools, pay the teachers and implement the costly alternative programs. While it may be a good idea eductionally, fiscally it is a nightmare.
How about starting with the meetings at the central office that are always catered by an outside company. I brown bag it daily and really enjoy my lunches. It is those small expenses, or expense accounts, or paid vehicles that add up to big dollars. Run IPS like any business and cut the fat first before the meat (i.e. teachers who instruct).
At Broad Ripple a position was created in order to place a basketball coach on the payroll. Coach Basil Mawbey is Director of Middle School Activities. There is no funding for middle school activities. His pay and compensation package total over $109,000. The pay package was worked out by the folks at 120 E. Walnut.
Additionally, Broad Ripple has been given a Co-Head football coach who is yet another PE teacher. A refugee from the football fiasco. This position added $60,000 unnecessary dollars to the monies being spent at Broad Ripple.
So...I once saw on the news in the past couple weeks that IPS was not going to cut teachers. So can someone please explain to me why the following teachers are being cut:
1) Art and Music Teachers
2) O/U Teachers--which IPS really does need!
3) Teachers at Key Campus
4) Cadre Teachers---who are paid for with FEDERAL money not money out of the general fund the main area where IPS is saying they are in the most trouble.
5) Some Secondary Teachers but those cuts are to be announced later...
Once again why is this taking place when the public was told several times that teachers would not be cut????
I just hope we get some school board memebers that will stand up and call some people downtown out about their lies they are spinning!
Signed- A confused and mad teacher that loves teaching in IPS but HATES the politics!
Maybe I am oversimplifying the problem, but... Could the State just send a couple guys to clean house downtown (aka: Office Space)? Just ask... What do you do, and could someone paid six figures earn it by doing multiple tasks. Teachers must multi-task for a five figure salary??
Does anyone know how the IPS school police officer is doing who was hurt trying to arrest a student at Tech? She is a good person. How about the officer who came to help her? He was hurt too.
How will cutting music/art programs for lower levels and cutting the cadre help with the budget? The music/art teachers are already in place as they are needed for the upper elementary grades and the teachers are there regardless of how many classes they teach. The cadre is funded by stimulus money. That's not money that IPS can use elsewhere. How does that help?
I'm not the one that made the "Tech is out of control" comment, but I certainly agree with it. There are kids constantly roaming the halls, hiding in stairwells and smoking all over the place. If you didn't know there was a uniform policy, you sure couldn't tell by the way the kids dress. Incessant profanity seems to be completely normal. I could go on and on. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is completely the fault of the staff. There could be a hundred staff members doing nothing but enforcing rules and barely make a dent. The only way I know to gain control of a situation like that would be to adopt a military-like discipline and control policy. We all know the public would never stand for real discipline in schools so I guess it will never end.
Teacher cuts will be made from retirements and resignations, though, just like every year probably 300 will be hired over the summer for the new year. This happens every year.
Teachers at Key Campus - Both Key schools will be combined into 1, so will not need all the teachers from both.
Cadre Teachers - you answered your own question there. Federal money. Not part of the cuts.
Should you work under any conditions? There's an alternative. Choose not to. With the economy the way it is and the number of people who are unemployed (some of these people have been with companies for countless years and are VERY qualified), I find it so hard to believe people would complain about losing a prep period. I bet there are plenty of unemployed teachers who would gladly accept a teaching position knowing there was no prep period. It may be important to you since you know no differently, but be thankful for what you do have. Someone is always less fortunate.
Obviously you have never been a teacher or you would realize the value of a prep period. Besides using it to prepare lessons, it is time to call parents, hold conferences, or search for supplies that are scarce in so many buildings. That comment about losing a prep period obviously came from an Administrator who has multiple breaks per day, a lengthy lunch and has her hair done and her car washed on IPS time.
Part of the problem at Tech is a principal who is not engaged in the running of the school. It is insane to have students with 30 or more discipline referrals from a variety of teachers and all step 4 levels and the student's problem still has not been addressed. Many step 4 referrals are never even responded to which is a violation of the superintendent's own policy. Under today's security it is not possible, but if you could just come to campus and walk around, it would be self explanatory. I think it will take a serious injury before any changes are made. How many school police or teachers have to be injured at Tech before the principal admits that there is a problem. The Deans office is asleep at the wheel.
You know, I am a teacher, and I really value my prep periods, and if it is indeed an administrator posting, I'm sure your comments are enlightening. But if it is a parent or taxpayer, then we have to admit that there is a certain amount of our complaining that has to come across quite diva-ish to many people losing jobs, taking salary cuts, and who work for more hours than we do, making less money. If IPS takes away prep periods, then I'll take a job at a school that has them, so that would be a great loss to IPS. But if the entire industry takes them away, then I'd take it as a sign of the times and grudgingly extend my working day like millions of other people have had to do to keep jobs in this economy. Let's keep perspective.
I am a teacher and have been for 13 years. I know plenty of people who have lost their jobs over the last 2 years and would give my prep period for them to have their jobs back. So no, I am not an administrator, nor do I have multiple breaks all day. I do the same damn job you do, apparently just with a little more sympathy for those that are less fortunate than us. I consider myself very lucky to have a job right now and if losing a prep period is all I have to deal with, then I will do so gladly.
I came back to IPS from a charter school because I had no job protection, no guaranteed lunch, and no prep time. To do this job well you need time to plan and prepare so that kids get what they need. Other professionals get paid to prep or have assistance to do it (i.e. paralegals, etc.). This seems like another case of people who have no idea what good teachers actually do with students, and with their time.
You people are crazy. The only thing being stated is that it could be worse. Instead of bitching about no prep time, be thankful you have a job. Nobody doubts that prep time isn't a much needed part of an educators day. If you are ever unemployed, I bet you would understand.
I had no prep periods for the last two years with the honor of teaching different subjects and grade levels. Then I have to keep up on my IEP's, Move-In Conferences(within ten days), progress reports, and teacher/parentconferences.
It is because of Pollyanna type doormats like you that has caused teachers to have so little value to society. Why don't you teach for free? That is what they will ask you doormats to do next.
You're pathetic. Someone is a doormat simply because they have sympathy for those without jobs? Instead of being jobless, I would rather have no prep period. I hope one day you negative people have to suffer like so many people in society do.
I made the choice to have no prep period to help out a fellow teacher in need, which was due to a very weak leader in our school. I am a strong male, not a doormat as the second posting stated above. Teaching is a fifth career, and I enjoy working with the students, but love the fact that I can walk away without any financial worries. I had to laugh at the your narrow base of knowledge, as members of IEA, we don't have the right to demand a prep, it's not in the current contract. Know before you speak, and I will teach for free in a few years in Morocco. Take care, have a safe week, and be kind to your fellow members of the educational community.
I must say... teachers are doormats. The students, parents, admin all blame the teachers at IPS, and elsewhere. Screw working eighty hours to be a great teacher. Other professionals get paid for working such hours. When will teachers be strong enough to say no. Why does the teacher union have to be so week. It is time to form a new one.
People are doormats for recognizing the benefits of their jobs? You sound like an immature 16-year-old who thinks every job is beneath him. I complain as much as anyone else, but if you really think teachers have it worse than other professions, you simply don't have enough experience with other professions. If teaching was as bad as you say, people wouldn't do it. They'd go become secretaries and insurance underwriters and retail managers and bank tellers. It's fine to vent, but be realistic. Teaching is better than any other job you can get, or you would take another job. And it's a good place to be in life to have the best job you can get, while the economy crumbles around you and almost everyone you know has either lost a job or taken a pay cut. Especially when your salary is financed by those people. I feel very fortunate to have a meaningful, well-paying (higher than median income for Indiana) job that allows me to be off many of the days my kids are off. I feel fortunate to have my first-choice job in this economy. Sure, there are things I would change. But people like you would still complain.
When I was in the corporate world my employer paid for my college. I went home and my day was finished. In teaching your job STARTS after the kids are gone either through lesson planning or calling home about kids who either are acting up or at risk for failing. Though teachers may not be taking the cuts everyone else in the business world are taking now, IPS teachers weren't getting raises when the corporate people WERE five to ten years back. Big deal!My corporate friends still get perks like meetings at fun places. When someone gets Indians tickets at the last moment they can drop everything and go. Me? We might have an SBDM, PTO, a fundraiser or a student conference for an IEP to do. Summer off? Big deal. I'd trade that for a "normal" life compared to my corporate friends. I left the corporate world due to the micro-management and the endless, meaningless stream of data. Guess what? Education is turning into the corporate world except this time we have LESS control over the situation. When I changed into teaching it was a noble profession. Now our state policymakers and the CORPORATE media have made it political with us as the "overpaid, union, liberal, bad guys." We have allowed this to happen. VOTE. Quit letting your husband, your minister, talk radio, or your father tell you WHO to vote for. Get involved.
You're right. This profession does not seem to be a good match for you. I wish you luck with your choices. You don't seem very happy. There was a study released recently that named a few qualities of happy people. Being grateful was one of the attributes. Focusing on causes outside of "self" was another. Something to keep in mind.
I'm one of the ones pushing for education reform and school choice. So obviously, I'm not going to join you in your efforts to make the union more powerful again or vote for people who want to keep our education system from evolving into the 21st century. But I do wish you luck with your endeavors, even if they conflict with mine. I do think you might be happier and more successful in your recruiting efforts if you approach your causes with more passion and less resentment, but that's just my opinion.
Obviously you are not a teacher. You don't know a thing about what's really going on in the schools you seek to reform. You're also full of yourself and love to hear yourself pontificate.
I am a teacher, secondary ed, IPS, almost 10 years. But it is really disturbing that you don't think it's possible for a teacher to enjoy teaching or support education reform. That says way more about you than it does about me.
I am so sick of the "obviously you are not a teacher" comments. Just because people don't agree with your opinions doesn't make them any less important. If you are that unhappy with your job, find another one. There are plenty of people willing to take your place. Not every teacher complains about everything and despite drawbacks, most of us still love our job! So maybe YOU are not a real teacher.
This may sound off topic but....I am so grateful of my teaching job ion IPS. I love my students and enjoy my co-workers. This is not to say I don't have bad days. Everyone does. This is my second career. Believe me, it is WAY better than the corporate world. Just smile, do your job, keep your complaining to a minimum and be GRATEFUL for what job we do have. Be grateful for the opportunity to change lives. It is NOT being a doormat. It is called being an ADULT. If you are finding yourself on here whining about no prep period, (my God, if that is the most you have to sacrifice you really should try a corporate job), then maybe it is not a career for you. Students come first, not us. To believe that is a choice. You have apparantly chosen not to buy-in. Well, there is the door. That is a choice too. Don't let it hit you in the behind.
I'm not a teacher yet, I'm still in college. This is a mid-life career change for me. I'm sure there are things that I won't like that I'm not prepared for, but it's like that with anything, isn't it? But having spent 15 years in an industry that was increasingly outsourced to India, I haven't had any benefits in my adult life, no insurance, no paid days off, and I make the same pay rate now as I did when i started in 1995. It was decent money then. Not so much now. I have three siblings and all three got laid off from jobs of several years in the last few years and had to take lesser jobs. A good friend had to pack up her family and move to another state because she is in auto finance, and nobody is buying here. I don't have an employer to pay my college. Or parents to pay for it. And they don't give Dean's List scholarships anymore, so I'm going into enormous debt to be able to work my dream job, which happens to be the same one that you are so ungrateful for. Forgive me if I can't quite manage to conjure up any sympathy for you.
I think these things must be viewed within context.
It would seem to me that teachers who are content with their jobs are content for many practical, tangible reasons: just one example - that they have good principals who are supportive and enabling of their efforts. There are a long list of other factors that I would think would make teachers either happy or unhappy on their jobs.
Most IPS teachers I know do want to teach and that is why they entered the profession in the first place. But, when many encounter a significant number of factors that make it hard for them to do their jobs, I can see why frustration would set in over time.
So, teachers who are happy in their jobs certainly have every right to express this happiness. But, in my opinion, they shouldn't criticize those who are not happy in their jobs.
Well then they shouldn't criticize us then, should they? The condescending "You must not be a teacher" and putting down those of us that choose to deal with the negatives because we love to teach and are thankful to have a job is what got us in this debate. Every teacher in every IPS school has hardships to face, it's all about how you deal with it. If not having a prep period makes someone THAT unhappy, it's time for them to leave.
Eugene White and the school board members use IPS school police as chauffeurs each time any of them are taking a flight or on a return flight. Wouldn't it be nice if none of us needed to pay to park at the airport, pay for a taxi or limo or arrange for a friend to drop us off and pick us up at the airport. Unfortunately IPS does NOT have a royal family and these people need to quit using the IPS school police as their personal chauffeurs.
That is a pretty strong statement to make about a person. I don't believe that we can impute motives on people because no one really knows why a person acts the way they do. Although there seems to be some strange "perks" in his employment, I don't think you could accuse him of "living well" at the expense of I.P.S. I believe that he truly came into the system believing he could make a difference. Do we know what "perks" previous superintendents had - I dare say they were present in previous administrations, also. However, given the situation, it would go a long way toward his credibility if he were to make some sacrifices for the common good - (and make them known).
Great post. That about sums up my feelings as well. I don't have a problem with the perks he accepted when he got the job. But with all the sacrifices being made in education, I do think it would go a long way in gaining respect of teachers and taxpayers if he made some sacrifices himself.
I guess two posts up can't really know his motives for taking the job either. You say he wanted to make a difference. That's what he said, but you can't know his real motivation for doing what he does any more than the other poster. Nice of you to give him the benefit of the doubt though. If you are a teacher, I wonder if he would give you the same courtesy. Let's hope so.
from above "...Although there seems to be some strange "perks" in his employment, I don't think you could accuse him of "living well" at the expense of I.P.S."
White, for all practical and visible purposes, appears to 'live well'. I'd say he 'lives well' because IPS pays him an extremely large salary with countless perks. So, it appears that White is indeed living well at the expense of IPS unless, of course, there's an old family trust we don't know about which supports his lifestyle.
This is not an accusation, but rather, an observation. He lives well; IPS pays him a salary and value-added perks/bonuses that support/enhance his living well.
The problem here is that as a student I knew that teaching was a passion, and wouldn't lead to a life of luxury. I decided it was worth it because of the good I could do. Now we are facing adversity. I am, out of my salary, providing more and more, clothes, pencils, snacks, gloves, fund raising items I purchase but don't really need, supplies, kleenex, then ever before. In districts that surround us administrators are taking pay cuts for the good of their students and districts. We are looking at larger class sizes and less administrative support at the building level. And our superintendent and board vote raises for administrators. I never though I'd get rich teaching, and that is fine with me, but to see someone else whose primary motivation should be to insure the what is in the best interest of children living large at those children's expense is very sad. In the corporate world we've seen people take a dollar a year to head major corporations, wouldn't it show good faith for Dr. White and his senior administrative team to all take a pay cut and give back some of the perks?
Yes, when top-level school administrators voluntarily take a small salary reduction, it DOES engender trust, build faith, and all those other good PR type things with those employees in the rank and file salary ranges.
Many years ago in another district in another state, I was a young special education teacher fresh out of graduate school with my Master's degree and assigned to teach a class of preschool handicapped students with severe and profound disabilities. This meant that most of the young students were not toilet trained, and, of course, diapering would be a part of our (our because I had a full-time teacher assistant) classroom routine.
My very wise principal, a former special ed teacher, told me on the first day that I should never ask my teacher assistant to do anything that she'd not seen me do first, including changing a really messy diaper. I listened to her recommendation, and I changed that first really messy diaper that appeared in my classroom on the first day of school. I changed that smelly diaper like it was nothing more than wiping up some spilled juice.
Learning that simple lesson of never expecting a person earning far less money to do things that you're not willing to do first and without complaint has been a key to my success. That lesson has served me well for almost 30 years.
Moral of the story: Don't ask folks who earn less money than you to suffer through bad things without first showing some sacrifice on your part. It works every time because it shows respect for the other person, it shows a spirit of equity, and it shows that we're all in it together.
The most effective 'leaders' are 'servant leaders'.
Here it goes again. I'm SO glad that School #60 thinks we all care about their personal drama. I guess it's my alternative to the soap operas I don't get to watch during the day.
Personally, School 60 teachers are very amusing. I appreciate the comic relief. And I do care about their personal drama--it take me away from mine (and makes me thankful that I don't work there).
School #60... Did you ever stop to wonder how these posts make you look? I think that you all need to grow up and handle this face-to-face. Did you also know that Barbie had to go to your school because three others turned down that job? I can't help but to wonder why...
I'm just a parent, not a teacher, and my kids don't go to school #60, so I know nothing about it. But from an outsider's perspective, I can assure you that the comments about "Barbie" do not make Barbie look bad. They make the teachers she has to work with look bad. I don't think these comments are comic relief. I think they are horrible. I wouldn't accept that kind of immature, catty behavior from my children, and I can't believe an adult would behave that way on a public forum. It's unfathomable to me that the kind of people who would post such comments are allowed near children. And even though my kids don't go to #60, the comments are kind of an embarrassment to all of IPS, because it lends credibility to the stigma that IPS is the worst of the worst. Where else do you see professional adults behaving this way?
The sad part is that the staff at #60 acts this way in the building as well. I had the unfortunate opportunity of visiting their building once. I could hear teachers yelling in their rooms while I was in the hallway. I heard a teacher take recess away from her entire classroom because "she was sick of them". The principal in that building needs to step up.
Teachers were yelling? OMG...are you KIDDING me? Yelling at those docile, soft-spoken boys and girls? That's awful. Perhaps the staff needs someone with your abilities to show them how to get those children under control. Obviously, having them continually repeat, (often yell) "I am respectful! I am responsible" isn't cutting it. I'll also bet the teachers who've been hit, cussed at, or attacked would love to get your suggestions.
Why would 3 others have turned down the job? Last year it was well known that the Coach at 60 was highly respected, loved her job and loved the school, problems and all. There was much less back stabbing going on. We respected her and she treated us with respect as well. She was one of those coaches who was there to make a positive difference in the lives of the students and teachers.
People, can we PLEASE talk about something besides "Barbie" for a change? Let's try to find out which schools are being reconstituted. We can also look into any principals who will be relocated. This is important information for those of us, (from #60 and elsewhere), who are hoping to get a voluntary transfer next year.
If you think only "Barbie" herself would post the above comment, you are an idiot along with being catty and immature. What do you THINK an outsider's reaction to such comments would be?!
I have worked with several backstabbers who lacked character in my life. Never one low enough to post gossip about coworkers on a public forum, though. That kind of thing is reserved for middle school students and apparently IPS teachers.
How can you call her a backstabber when you are the one posting nasty comments on this forum? You are teachers. You are doing the same thing you get upset with kids for doing in the classroom. As adults, there are more important things in life to worry about and complain about other than a coworker and her character.
I also worked at another school with the woman referred to as "Barbie". I used to go home so depressed after being around her. Let me tell you, she is everything people are saying and more. I think people need to vent when they work with someone who is obviously evil. This is not junior high; there's really nothing one can do when working with someone as evil as this coach. The teachers at School 60 are not immature, backstabbers, or crazy. They are working with a person who might just be dangerous to their mental health. What can they do but vent? This person has power over them and for some reason, the principal likes her and listens to her when she tells her tales. She did the same thing with another principal last year. I breathed a sigh of relief when I found out that she would not be at my school this year. Poor School 60. This is not gossip. This is from someone who knows what the School 60 teachers are going through.
When normal people vent about bad coworkers, they say things like "my coworker is horrible. She does blah-blah-blah and this-and-that and do you know what she did to so-and-so..." They don't name-call and insult and carry on like a jealous 12-year-old who has no life coping skills. And I'm another person who doesn't know the people involved. But it doesn't matter. I had a boss who used to go into crazy angry rages and call employees "whore" and "slut" and throw things at them across the office. I hated her. But I never posted insults about her on the Internet. Because I'm not twelve.
Dr. White is actually coming out to a school building? Will he have his security or secret service to protect him from all of the "scary" students that he is so afraid of. The simple fact that he is actually coming out to a school building in person gives me the creeps! He definitely has a hidden agenda. LOOK OUT School #60!
I have worked with this "Barbie" character. I can understand why she continues to get these negative responses. Mean and nasty does describe her. She is not a boss but a teacher assigned a coaching position who needed to collaborate and support teachers for student learning. She does not and causes problems. IPS does not need additional problems. Too bad she is on the blog so much. She should have done her job in a nice way. Cut her job.
To all the people who've posted items and commented about School #60: You'll be glad to know that when Dr. White came to this week's staff meeting, he stated that the principal was doing a great job running the school. So ha-ha to all you haters. Even with backstabbers, tattle-tales, Barbie, & too-soft discipline, the school's a GREAT place to be!!! LMAO
I noticed that White said he would not consider across the board salary reductions for teachers NOR would he reduce HIS salary! When he speaks like this, doesn't he realize it only makes him sound greedy and money-hungry?
ReplyDeleteIf White made the first move and said he'd take a salary reduction, it would show good faith on his part as being intentional about reducing the budget. It would also make him appear more human and increase his approval ratings. He's not a good politician, is he?
There is a billboard on I-465 on the southside too. I think we should get rid of them. Do you see other school districts using billboards?
ReplyDeleteNo wonder Eugene's suits don't fit. He is eating $1000 worth of food at one meal........I wonder how much more of this is going on.
ReplyDeleteGee, traffic has become light on this blog. Hey School 60! Where are you and your bitter words?
ReplyDelete^ Nice!
ReplyDeleteThis blog is really reaching for topics... Billboards and dinners really??? We are talking about 26 Million $$!! Common Man
ReplyDeleteIf every IPS employee took a 2% pay reduction, I bet we'd make the $26M budget cut in one year.
ReplyDeleteThe billboards don't cost the district a dime. The company prefers to have something posted rather than an empty space, so they donated them to IPS.
ReplyDeleteThere may be many individuals in IPS that would be willing to take a pay cut, but it will never happen. The union would NEVER agree to it.
ReplyDeleteA 2% pay cut would barely make a dent in the deficit.
ReplyDeleteAs of October 14, 2009 there were 1,107 IPS employees who had an annual salary of at least $65,000. Total compensation $79,964,577. 2% pay cut would equal $1,599,291. Not bad for starters and it is a 6% dent. Take the annual salary level down to $50,000 and I'd bet it would be close if not over 10% of the deficit.
ReplyDeleteSome of you people live in some kind of mind-altering nutty world, one not based on reality.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, you say you want top-quality schools. Yet, you don't want to pay for such schools.
If you did, you wouldn't suggest cutting the pay of ALL staff (teachers and administrators combined), because when you do, you're telling potntial teacher hires not to even look at IPS.
And why would they? Everyone wants job security. There is no such thing in urban education (please spare me the BS from some of you troglodytes). You get what you can afford to pay for.
on=in ^ there.
ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily agree that you get what you pay for (many high-paid employees in IPS border on worthless) but I do agree that across-the-board salary cuts are unrealistic. I still think if we replaced the 10% worst teachers and the 10% worst administrators and sent the 10% biggest behavior problems to alternative schools that we could save tons of money, not just on high salaries, but on the extra programs that become unnecessary with better-quality leadership, better teachers, and better behaved students. Those 10% cause 90% of the problems.
ReplyDeleteDon't start that 10% thinking because it never ends. Once the bottom 10% is removed, other kids step up to the plate and become a new bottom 10%. Then you'll want to try to remove them to other schools. What one needs to do is suck it up and teach the ones in front of them instead of trying to send the "badly performing" students to alternate locations. Children respond well to self-fufilling prophecies. Same with teachers. Suck it up and learn to work with the ones in the building instead of doing ones best to knock the lowest ones down so a few can shine.
ReplyDelete"knock the lowest ones down so a few can shine"
ReplyDeleteThat's not what I'm saying. I'm saying we use a tremendous amount of resources on disruptive students, ineffective teachers, and out-of-touch administrators. Even though they are a minority, those relatively few people cause 90% of the problems in IPS. If we got rid of the teachers who have no interest in teaching, kids would stop falling through the cracks. If we could move the most disruptive students to one location, we would be able to get much further with the other students. And if we got rid of the 10% of the weakest administrators, we probably wouldn't even have to replace them. If "we get what we pay for" than we out to demand to get what we are paying for, no? And I don't buy into the all-for-one-one-for-all teacher's union mentality regarding sucky teachers. They take more than their share of IPS funding and leave other teachers to pick up their slack with the students they fail to teach. They get NO sympathy from me.
If you really believe in the get what you pay for concept, then we should be talking about performance pay. It is a part of Arne Duncan's continued conversation and it should be here, too. It is coming in the next ten years and I'd welcome it. I would love to be judged on the GROWTH (not test scores) students make in my class. Likewise, if we want to encourage the worst teachers to think about leaving, maybe attaching pay to their results would do that. I'm tired of hearing teachers worry they'll be fired for their test scores, say it will create unhealthy competition, or that teachers won't want certain groups of kids. If you understand what the growth model is you'd know that's not how this works. The day is coming and I'm soooo ready for it!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I completely support performance pay based on growth of student achievement. I think it is the most fair way of evaluating what teachers are actually accomplishing. I also think it will keep teachers from "teaching to the middle." The best students will have to be given extra challenges, even if they are already years ahead, or they won't grow. Students who are behind will be given appropriate instruction to help them proceed at a reasonable pace. It's win-win-win in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWho do you think pays for the students sent to alternative schools? That is the responsiblity of IPS and thus IPS must run the schools, pay the teachers and implement the costly alternative programs. While it may be a good idea eductionally, fiscally it is a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteHow about starting with the meetings at the central office that are always catered by an outside company. I brown bag it daily and really enjoy my lunches. It is those small expenses, or expense accounts, or paid vehicles that add up to big dollars. Run IPS like any business and cut the fat first before the meat (i.e. teachers who instruct).
ReplyDeleteSave $170,000
ReplyDeleteAt Broad Ripple a position was created in order to place a basketball coach on the payroll. Coach Basil Mawbey is Director of Middle School Activities. There is no funding for middle school activities. His pay and compensation package total over $109,000. The pay package was worked out by the folks at 120 E. Walnut.
Additionally, Broad Ripple has been given a Co-Head football coach who is yet another PE teacher. A refugee from the football fiasco. This position added $60,000 unnecessary dollars to the monies being spent at Broad Ripple.
2 positions gone, save $170,000
http://royschroederfordistrict3.blogspot.com/
So...I once saw on the news in the past couple weeks that IPS was not going to cut teachers. So can someone please explain to me why the following teachers are being cut:
ReplyDelete1) Art and Music Teachers
2) O/U Teachers--which IPS really does need!
3) Teachers at Key Campus
4) Cadre Teachers---who are paid for with FEDERAL money not money out of the general fund the main area where IPS is saying they are in the most trouble.
5) Some Secondary Teachers but those cuts are to be announced later...
Once again why is this taking place when the public was told several times that teachers would not be cut????
I just hope we get some school board memebers that will stand up and call some people downtown out about their lies they are spinning!
Signed- A confused and mad teacher that loves teaching in IPS but HATES the politics!
Sorry for the type o's above... :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe I am oversimplifying the problem, but... Could the State just send a couple guys to clean house downtown (aka: Office Space)? Just ask... What do you do, and could someone paid six figures earn it by doing multiple tasks. Teachers must multi-task for a five figure salary??
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know how the IPS school police officer is doing who was hurt trying to arrest a student at Tech? She is a good person. How about the officer who came to help her? He was hurt too.
ReplyDeleteHow will cutting music/art programs for lower levels and cutting the cadre help with the budget?
ReplyDeleteThe music/art teachers are already in place as they are needed for the upper elementary grades and the teachers are there regardless of how many classes they teach.
The cadre is funded by stimulus money. That's not money that IPS can use elsewhere. How does that help?
Tech is out of control and the principal has no clue.
ReplyDeletePlease define out of control. I am serious. What do you mean?
ReplyDeleteWhat is going to happen to the kindergarten and 1st grade teachers' preps?
ReplyDeleteI'm not the one that made the "Tech is out of control" comment, but I certainly agree with it. There are kids constantly roaming the halls, hiding in stairwells and smoking all over the place. If you didn't know there was a uniform policy, you sure couldn't tell by the way the kids dress. Incessant profanity seems to be completely normal. I could go on and on. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is completely the fault of the staff. There could be a hundred staff members doing nothing but enforcing rules and barely make a dent. The only way I know to gain control of a situation like that would be to adopt a military-like discipline and control policy. We all know the public would never stand for real discipline in schools so I guess it will never end.
ReplyDeleteSeriously? People are losing their jobs and you are worried about prep time? Be thankful you have a job.
ReplyDeleteSo, out of gratitude for keeping our jobs we should humbly agree to work under any conditions Ebeneezer imposes?
ReplyDeleteI have heard most of the "teaching" cuts will come from retirements not being replaced.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if that is true but an administrator at our school mentioned that off hand at the end of a PLC.
Still not sure why they are not consolidating Gambold and Donnan into Northwest and Manual respectively.
They could save some cash by closing those buildings consolidating. The HS have the capacity to do this.
Teacher cuts will be made from retirements and resignations, though, just like every year probably 300 will be hired over the summer for the new year. This happens every year.
ReplyDeleteTeachers at Key Campus - Both Key schools will be combined into 1, so will not need all the teachers from both.
Cadre Teachers - you answered your own question there. Federal money. Not part of the cuts.
Should you work under any conditions? There's an alternative. Choose not to. With the economy the way it is and the number of people who are unemployed (some of these people have been with companies for countless years and are VERY qualified), I find it so hard to believe people would complain about losing a prep period. I bet there are plenty of unemployed teachers who would gladly accept a teaching position knowing there was no prep period. It may be important to you since you know no differently, but be thankful for what you do have. Someone is always less fortunate.
ReplyDeleteWhat's up with all these teachers and coaches getting arrested lately?
ReplyDeleteObviously you have never been a teacher or you would realize the value of a prep period. Besides using it to prepare lessons, it is time to call parents, hold conferences, or search for supplies that are scarce in so many buildings. That comment about losing a prep period obviously came from an Administrator who has multiple breaks per day, a lengthy lunch and has her hair done and her car washed on IPS time.
ReplyDeletePart of the problem at Tech is a principal who is not engaged in the running of the school. It is insane to have students with 30 or more discipline referrals from a variety of teachers and all step 4 levels and the student's problem still has not been addressed. Many step 4 referrals are never even responded to which is a violation of the superintendent's own policy. Under today's security it is not possible, but if you could just come to campus and walk around, it would be self explanatory. I think it will take a serious injury before any changes are made. How many school police or teachers have to be injured at Tech before the principal admits that there is a problem. The Deans office is asleep at the wheel.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I am a teacher, and I really value my prep periods, and if it is indeed an administrator posting, I'm sure your comments are enlightening. But if it is a parent or taxpayer, then we have to admit that there is a certain amount of our complaining that has to come across quite diva-ish to many people losing jobs, taking salary cuts, and who work for more hours than we do, making less money. If IPS takes away prep periods, then I'll take a job at a school that has them, so that would be a great loss to IPS. But if the entire industry takes them away, then I'd take it as a sign of the times and grudgingly extend my working day like millions of other people have had to do to keep jobs in this economy. Let's keep perspective.
ReplyDeleteI am a teacher and have been for 13 years. I know plenty of people who have lost their jobs over the last 2 years and would give my prep period for them to have their jobs back. So no, I am not an administrator, nor do I have multiple breaks all day. I do the same damn job you do, apparently just with a little more sympathy for those that are less fortunate than us. I consider myself very lucky to have a job right now and if losing a prep period is all I have to deal with, then I will do so gladly.
ReplyDeleteI came back to IPS from a charter school because I had no job protection, no guaranteed lunch, and no prep time. To do this job well you need time to plan and prepare so that kids get what they need. Other professionals get paid to prep or have assistance to do it (i.e. paralegals, etc.). This seems like another case of people who have no idea what good teachers actually do with students, and with their time.
ReplyDeleteYou people are crazy. The only thing being stated is that it could be worse. Instead of bitching about no prep time, be thankful you have a job. Nobody doubts that prep time isn't a much needed part of an educators day. If you are ever unemployed, I bet you would understand.
ReplyDeleteI had no prep periods for the last two years with the honor of teaching different subjects and grade levels. Then I have to keep up on my IEP's, Move-In Conferences(within ten days), progress reports, and teacher/parentconferences.
ReplyDeleteIt is because of Pollyanna type doormats like you that has caused teachers to have so little value to society. Why don't you teach for free? That is what they will ask you doormats to do next.
ReplyDeleteYou're pathetic. Someone is a doormat simply because they have sympathy for those without jobs? Instead of being jobless, I would rather have no prep period. I hope one day you negative people have to suffer like so many people in society do.
ReplyDeleteI made the choice to have no prep period to help out a fellow teacher in need, which was due to a very weak leader in our school. I am a strong male, not a doormat as the second posting stated above. Teaching is a fifth career, and I enjoy working with the students, but love the fact that I can walk away without any financial worries. I had to laugh at the your narrow base of knowledge, as members of IEA, we don't have the right to demand a prep, it's not in the current contract. Know before you speak, and I will teach for free in a few years in Morocco. Take care, have a safe week, and be kind to your fellow members of the educational community.
ReplyDeleteI must say... teachers are doormats. The students, parents, admin all blame the teachers at IPS, and elsewhere. Screw working eighty hours to be a great teacher. Other professionals get paid for working such hours. When will teachers be strong enough to say no. Why does the teacher union have to be so week. It is time to form a new one.
ReplyDeleteTo the male teacher: Thank you!
ReplyDeletePeople are doormats for recognizing the benefits of their jobs? You sound like an immature 16-year-old who thinks every job is beneath him. I complain as much as anyone else, but if you really think teachers have it worse than other professions, you simply don't have enough experience with other professions. If teaching was as bad as you say, people wouldn't do it. They'd go become secretaries and insurance underwriters and retail managers and bank tellers. It's fine to vent, but be realistic. Teaching is better than any other job you can get, or you would take another job. And it's a good place to be in life to have the best job you can get, while the economy crumbles around you and almost everyone you know has either lost a job or taken a pay cut. Especially when your salary is financed by those people. I feel very fortunate to have a meaningful, well-paying (higher than median income for Indiana) job that allows me to be off many of the days my kids are off. I feel fortunate to have my first-choice job in this economy. Sure, there are things I would change. But people like you would still complain.
ReplyDeleteWell said!
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in the corporate world my employer paid for my college. I went home and my day was finished. In teaching your job STARTS after the kids are gone either through lesson planning or calling home about kids who either are acting up or at risk for failing. Though teachers may not be taking the cuts everyone else in the business world are taking now, IPS teachers weren't getting raises when the corporate people WERE five to ten years back. Big deal!My corporate friends still get perks like meetings at fun places. When someone gets Indians tickets at the last moment they can drop everything and go. Me? We might have an SBDM, PTO, a fundraiser or a student conference for an IEP to do. Summer off? Big deal. I'd trade that for a "normal" life compared to my corporate friends. I left the corporate world due to the micro-management and the endless, meaningless stream of data. Guess what? Education is turning into the corporate world except this time we have LESS control over the situation. When I changed into teaching it was a noble profession. Now our state policymakers and the CORPORATE media have made it political with us as the "overpaid, union, liberal, bad guys." We have allowed this to happen. VOTE. Quit letting your husband, your minister, talk radio, or your father tell you WHO to vote for. Get involved.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. This profession does not seem to be a good match for you. I wish you luck with your choices. You don't seem very happy. There was a study released recently that named a few qualities of happy people. Being grateful was one of the attributes. Focusing on causes outside of "self" was another. Something to keep in mind.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of the ones pushing for education reform and school choice. So obviously, I'm not going to join you in your efforts to make the union more powerful again or vote for people who want to keep our education system from evolving into the 21st century. But I do wish you luck with your endeavors, even if they conflict with mine. I do think you might be happier and more successful in your recruiting efforts if you approach your causes with more passion and less resentment, but that's just my opinion.
Obviously you are not a teacher. You don't know a thing about what's really going on in the schools you seek to reform. You're also full of yourself and love to hear yourself pontificate.
ReplyDeleteI am a teacher, secondary ed, IPS, almost 10 years. But it is really disturbing that you don't think it's possible for a teacher to enjoy teaching or support education reform. That says way more about you than it does about me.
ReplyDeleteI am so sick of the "obviously you are not a teacher" comments. Just because people don't agree with your opinions doesn't make them any less important. If you are that unhappy with your job, find another one. There are plenty of people willing to take your place. Not every teacher complains about everything and despite drawbacks, most of us still love our job! So maybe YOU are not a real teacher.
ReplyDelete"When I was in the corporate world my employer paid for my college...."
ReplyDelete_____________________
I think this teacher makes some quite valid and relevant points.
This may sound off topic but....I am so grateful of my teaching job ion IPS. I love my students and enjoy my co-workers. This is not to say I don't have bad days. Everyone does. This is my second career. Believe me, it is WAY better than the corporate world. Just smile, do your job, keep your complaining to a minimum and be GRATEFUL for what job we do have. Be grateful for the opportunity to change lives. It is NOT being a doormat. It is called being an ADULT. If you are finding yourself on here whining about no prep period, (my God, if that is the most you have to sacrifice you really should try a corporate job), then maybe it is not a career for you. Students come first, not us. To believe that is a choice. You have apparantly chosen not to buy-in. Well, there is the door. That is a choice too. Don't let it hit you in the behind.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a teacher yet, I'm still in college. This is a mid-life career change for me. I'm sure there are things that I won't like that I'm not prepared for, but it's like that with anything, isn't it? But having spent 15 years in an industry that was increasingly outsourced to India, I haven't had any benefits in my adult life, no insurance, no paid days off, and I make the same pay rate now as I did when i started in 1995. It was decent money then. Not so much now. I have three siblings and all three got laid off from jobs of several years in the last few years and had to take lesser jobs. A good friend had to pack up her family and move to another state because she is in auto finance, and nobody is buying here. I don't have an employer to pay my college. Or parents to pay for it. And they don't give Dean's List scholarships anymore, so I'm going into enormous debt to be able to work my dream job, which happens to be the same one that you are so ungrateful for. Forgive me if I can't quite manage to conjure up any sympathy for you.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Above two posters are right on! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI think these things must be viewed within context.
ReplyDeleteIt would seem to me that teachers who are content with their jobs are content for many practical, tangible reasons: just one example - that they have good principals who are supportive and enabling of their efforts. There are a long list of other factors that I would think would make teachers either happy or unhappy on their jobs.
Most IPS teachers I know do want to teach and that is why they entered the profession in the first place. But, when many encounter a significant number of factors that make it hard for them to do their jobs, I can see why frustration would set in over time.
So, teachers who are happy in their jobs certainly have every right to express this happiness. But, in my opinion, they shouldn't criticize those who are not happy in their jobs.
I believe the old saying applies to this:
"Walk a mile in my shoes."
Well then they shouldn't criticize us then, should they? The condescending "You must not be a teacher" and putting down those of us that choose to deal with the negatives because we love to teach and are thankful to have a job is what got us in this debate. Every teacher in every IPS school has hardships to face, it's all about how you deal with it. If not having a prep period makes someone THAT unhappy, it's time for them to leave.
ReplyDeleteBarbie does not have any hardships to face....
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that the wonderful teachers at #60 are back on here. We missed you.
ReplyDeleteEugene White and the school board members use IPS school police as chauffeurs each time any of them are taking a flight or on a return flight. Wouldn't it be nice if none of us needed to pay to park at the airport, pay for a taxi or limo or arrange for a friend to drop us off and pick us up at the airport. Unfortunately IPS does NOT have a royal family and these people need to quit using the IPS school police as their personal chauffeurs.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't the Star report on that?
ReplyDeleteThat is a pretty strong statement to make about a person. I don't believe that we can impute motives on people because no one really knows why a person acts the way they do. Although there seems to be some strange "perks" in his employment, I don't think you could accuse him of "living well" at the expense of I.P.S. I believe that he truly came into the system believing he could make a difference. Do we know what "perks" previous superintendents had - I dare say they were present in previous administrations, also. However, given the situation, it would go a long way toward his credibility if he were to make some sacrifices for the common good - (and make them known).
ReplyDeleteGreat post. That about sums up my feelings as well. I don't have a problem with the perks he accepted when he got the job. But with all the sacrifices being made in education, I do think it would go a long way in gaining respect of teachers and taxpayers if he made some sacrifices himself.
ReplyDeleteI guess two posts up can't really know his motives for taking the job either. You say he wanted to make a difference. That's what he said, but you can't know his real motivation for doing what he does any more than the other poster. Nice of you to give him the benefit of the doubt though.
ReplyDeleteIf you are a teacher, I wonder if he would give you the same courtesy. Let's hope so.
from above "...Although there seems to be some strange "perks" in his employment, I don't think you could accuse him of "living well" at the expense of I.P.S."
ReplyDeleteWhite, for all practical and visible purposes, appears to 'live well'. I'd say he 'lives well' because IPS pays him an extremely large salary with countless perks. So, it appears that White is indeed living well at the expense of IPS unless, of course, there's an old family trust we don't know about which supports his lifestyle.
This is not an accusation, but rather, an observation. He lives well; IPS pays him a salary and value-added perks/bonuses that support/enhance his living well.
The problem here is that as a student I knew that teaching was a passion, and wouldn't lead to a life of luxury. I decided it was worth it because of the good I could do. Now we are facing adversity. I am, out of my salary, providing more and more, clothes, pencils, snacks, gloves, fund raising items I purchase but don't really need, supplies, kleenex, then ever before. In districts that surround us administrators are taking pay cuts for the good of their students and districts. We are looking at larger class sizes and less administrative support at the building level. And our superintendent and board vote raises for administrators. I never though I'd get rich teaching, and that is fine with me, but to see someone else whose primary motivation should be to insure the what is in the best interest of children living large at those children's expense is very sad. In the corporate world we've seen people take a dollar a year to head major corporations, wouldn't it show good faith for Dr. White and his senior administrative team to all take a pay cut and give back some of the perks?
ReplyDelete@directly above post...
ReplyDeleteYes, when top-level school administrators voluntarily take a small salary reduction, it DOES engender trust, build faith, and all those other good PR type things with those employees in the rank and file salary ranges.
Many years ago in another district in another state, I was a young special education teacher fresh out of graduate school with my Master's degree and assigned to teach a class of preschool handicapped students with severe and profound disabilities. This meant that most of the young students were not toilet trained, and, of course, diapering would be a part of our (our because I had a full-time teacher assistant) classroom routine.
My very wise principal, a former special ed teacher, told me on the first day that I should never ask my teacher assistant to do anything that she'd not seen me do first, including changing a really messy diaper. I listened to her recommendation, and I changed that first really messy diaper that appeared in my classroom on the first day of school. I changed that smelly diaper like it was nothing more than wiping up some spilled juice.
Learning that simple lesson of never expecting a person earning far less money to do things that you're not willing to do first and without complaint has been a key to my success. That lesson has served me well for almost 30 years.
Moral of the story: Don't ask folks who earn less money than you to suffer through bad things without first showing some sacrifice on your part. It works every time because it shows respect for the other person, it shows a spirit of equity, and it shows that we're all in it together.
The most effective 'leaders' are 'servant leaders'.
I could not agree with you more. VERY well said!
ReplyDeleteHey, I'll bet Barbie doll wouldn't change that messy diaper...
ReplyDeleteSo, Barbie, you know who I am! You've got ways to find out who the bloggers are?
Barbie, you have delusions of grandeur!
Here it goes again. I'm SO glad that School #60 thinks we all care about their personal drama. I guess it's my alternative to the soap operas I don't get to watch during the day.
ReplyDeletePersonally, School 60 teachers are very amusing. I appreciate the comic relief. And I do care about their personal drama--it take me away from mine (and makes me thankful that I don't work there).
ReplyDeleteBarbie, you're famous (maybe infamous)!
ReplyDeleteSigh....how quickly we move from the profound to the ridiculous...
ReplyDeleteSchool #60...
ReplyDeleteDid you ever stop to wonder how these posts make you look? I think that you all need to grow up and handle this face-to-face.
Did you also know that Barbie had to go to your school because three others turned down that job? I can't help but to wonder why...
I'm just a parent, not a teacher, and my kids don't go to school #60, so I know nothing about it. But from an outsider's perspective, I can assure you that the comments about "Barbie" do not make Barbie look bad. They make the teachers she has to work with look bad. I don't think these comments are comic relief. I think they are horrible. I wouldn't accept that kind of immature, catty behavior from my children, and I can't believe an adult would behave that way on a public forum. It's unfathomable to me that the kind of people who would post such comments are allowed near children. And even though my kids don't go to #60, the comments are kind of an embarrassment to all of IPS, because it lends credibility to the stigma that IPS is the worst of the worst. Where else do you see professional adults behaving this way?
ReplyDeleteThe sad part is that the staff at #60 acts this way in the building as well. I had the unfortunate opportunity of visiting their building once. I could hear teachers yelling in their rooms while I was in the hallway. I heard a teacher take recess away from her entire classroom because "she was sick of them".
ReplyDeleteThe principal in that building needs to step up.
Teachers were yelling? OMG...are you KIDDING me? Yelling at those docile, soft-spoken boys and girls? That's awful. Perhaps the staff needs someone with your abilities to show them how to get those children under control. Obviously, having them continually repeat, (often yell) "I am respectful! I am responsible" isn't cutting it. I'll also bet the teachers who've been hit, cussed at, or attacked would love to get your suggestions.
ReplyDeleteWhy would 3 others have turned down the job? Last year it was well known that the Coach at 60 was highly respected, loved her job and loved the school, problems and all. There was much less back stabbing going on. We respected her and she treated us with respect as well. She was one of those coaches who was there to make a positive difference in the lives of the students and teachers.
ReplyDeleteNice touch, Barbie, posing as an IPS parent and defending yourself. Way to go!
ReplyDeletePeople, can we PLEASE talk about something besides "Barbie" for a change? Let's try to find out which schools are being reconstituted. We can also look into any principals who will be relocated. This is important information for those of us, (from #60 and elsewhere), who are hoping to get a voluntary transfer next year.
ReplyDeleteIf you think only "Barbie" herself would post the above comment, you are an idiot along with being catty and immature. What do you THINK an outsider's reaction to such comments would be?!
ReplyDeleteI worked at another school wirh Barbie and I can verify that her character was lacking. She was a back stabber then.
ReplyDeleteI have worked with several backstabbers who lacked character in my life. Never one low enough to post gossip about coworkers on a public forum, though. That kind of thing is reserved for middle school students and apparently IPS teachers.
ReplyDeleteHow can you call her a backstabber when you are the one posting nasty comments on this forum? You are teachers. You are doing the same thing you get upset with kids for doing in the classroom. As adults, there are more important things in life to worry about and complain about other than a coworker and her character.
ReplyDeleteI also worked at another school with the woman referred to as "Barbie". I used to go home so depressed after being around her. Let me tell you, she is everything people are saying and more. I think people need to vent when they work with someone who is obviously evil. This is not junior high; there's really nothing one can do when working with someone as evil as this coach. The teachers at School 60 are not immature, backstabbers, or crazy. They are working with a person who might just be dangerous to their mental health. What can they do but vent? This person has power over them and for some reason, the principal likes her and listens to her when she tells her tales. She did the same thing with another principal last year. I breathed a sigh of relief when I found out that she would not be at my school this year.
ReplyDeletePoor School 60. This is not gossip. This is from someone who knows what the School 60 teachers are going through.
When normal people vent about bad coworkers, they say things like "my coworker is horrible. She does blah-blah-blah and this-and-that and do you know what she did to so-and-so..." They don't name-call and insult and carry on like a jealous 12-year-old who has no life coping skills. And I'm another person who doesn't know the people involved. But it doesn't matter. I had a boss who used to go into crazy angry rages and call employees "whore" and "slut" and throw things at them across the office. I hated her. But I never posted insults about her on the Internet. Because I'm not twelve.
ReplyDeleteDr. White is speaking at School #60's staff meeting this Wednesday. Wonder what that's about?
ReplyDeleteDr. White is actually coming out to a school building? Will he have his security or secret service to protect him from all of the "scary" students that he is so afraid of. The simple fact that he is actually coming out to a school building in person gives me the creeps! He definitely has a hidden agenda. LOOK OUT School #60!
ReplyDeleteWonder if he plans to wear his BRIGHT GREEN LEPRECHAUN SUIT and MATCHING GREEN SHOES? After all tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day!
ReplyDeleteHope he doesn't yell, "Kiss me, I'm Irish."
ReplyDeleteI have worked with this "Barbie" character. I can understand why she continues to get these negative responses. Mean and nasty does describe her. She is not a boss but a teacher assigned a coaching position who needed to collaborate and support teachers for student learning. She does not and causes problems. IPS does not need additional problems. Too bad she is on the blog so much. She should have done her job in a nice way. Cut her job.
ReplyDeleteTo all the people who've posted items and commented about School #60: You'll be glad to know that when Dr. White came to this week's staff meeting, he stated that the principal was doing a great job running the school. So ha-ha to all you haters. Even with backstabbers, tattle-tales, Barbie, & too-soft discipline, the school's a GREAT place to be!!! LMAO
ReplyDeleteIf it's such a great place to work, then why are so many teachers trying to transfer out of there?
ReplyDeleteWhat happened at the staff meeting with Dr. White?
ReplyDelete