Bonus For Classroom Teachers???
In May Mr. Jackson moved $75,000.00 from one area of the budget into a new line item identified as 72310 299 “other fringe benefits” when this was questioned by Judge Lee and others Mr. Jackson stated it was for possible insurance. He was then told the school board insurance committee had turned down his request for new life insurance for volunteers. Mr. Jackson stated they were still considering obtaining the insurance.
Good news for teachers because of the pressure applied by several people it seems that now the plan is to use the $75,000.00 to give classroom teachers a bonus this year, and you thought no one in the big chair loved you. You earned it.
Allen Barrett
posted by Allen Barrett | 12:39 AM
43 Comments:
At least the teachers "may" get this one but I'll not be holding my breath waiting. Mr Jackson doesn't have a long history of looking out for teachers only administrators.
Don't know where you get your info. on this. Any "bonus", pay increase, etc. MUST be negotiated! And, it may sound like a lot of money, but really is about $225. per teacher. Before taxes. Don't know about you, but that will pay my grocery bill for one week. Sure, the teachers will take it if it's offered - they are used to getting crumbs. But, still not what they are worth.
Have you been involved with past negotiations? If you had you would not had made such a statement.
9:58 as a matter of fact, I have been. When was the last time you were at at negotiation session??? Last year Debbie Braden told the neg. team there was NO money for a raise. Tee Jackson even lied to the board so they said NO to a 1 percent raise. Yet, later in the year, there was money to move from teacher salaries to only God (and Jackson) knows where. Yes, I know exactly how the school board representation works. But, I go to the meetings. Once again, where were you?
Probably has nothing to do with bonuses. Those come from the state and do not have to be negotiated and they have nothing to do with "pressure applied by several people". Sounds like wishful thinking and wanting to make themselves feel important or feel like they have influence when they don't. Probably has to do with the new incentive pay requirement is more like it. Maybe to pay math and science teachers more or maybe to pay those whose test scores are high more. New state regs require boards to come up with incentive pay. That's my guess.
The post on this thread from AB says Mr. Jackson moved $75,000 from one line in budget to another. That has nothing to do with the maybe bonus from the state. Bonus from the state does not have to be negotiated, but any money (or ham) that will be shown on the W-2 as salary (from the county) must be negotiated. Except in the case of the "mandated" pay match the county incurrs when the state gives teachers a raise.
To Anonymous of 12:12 2 June post.
I didn’t post the 9:58 comment but would like to respond in part. It seems like what the poster was trying to question and you basically answered concerned the sincerity of the negotiations. While I wasn’t in the negotiations I don’t have to stand in the rain to know its raining. My understanding of negotiating is that one side makes an offer and the other side makes a counter offer until they come to an agreement for a final outcome. My understanding of the last couple of negotiations between the teacher’s representatives and the school board is that basically the school board said we can’t give anything and the teachers reps said OK. I really believe because of the way the offer was presented the teacher representatives made a sacrifice for the overall good of the county. Just one problem, both sides did not negotiate in good faith. In last years budget over $300,000.00 was moved out of teacher salaries into other projects. The $75,000.00 I originally posted about was a budget item no one had ever heard of and identified as fringe benefits. This was money Mr. Jackson determined to buy life insurance for people who volunteer at school. When the Insurance Committee turned this down flat he still presented it to the County Budget Committee as a possible non-specified insurance benefit. Later plans were revealed to us that money as a bonus for classroom teachers, I believe as a means of soothing some of the anger generated by some earlier deceptions. I certainly could be wrong but I haven’t seen anything yet to dissuade my opinion. One question I would ask is where did the $5,000.00 come from to give Mrs. Ferguson? Allen Barrett
What volunteers was he trying to get life insurance for?
WAB speaks the truth on this.
Please answer some questions Mr. Barrett.
1. You say and I quote "we can’t give anything and the teachers reps said OK". How did you know the teachers reps said no? Did you realize all offers are taken to the entire certified membership before they are denied? Did you know that last year the teachers reps pushed the issue so much that the idea of a raise was taken to the board for a vote?
2. You say and I quote "both sides did not negotiate in good faith". Please give me specific examples of how the teachers side negotiated in bad faith.
3. Which negotiation meetings have you attended? The dates would be nice. It would not be nice of you to insult how the teachers reps handle the process if you have not witnessed the reps in action. Do you realize that they are doing this for no pay, they are just trying to improve the working conditions of all teachers, members or not.
To Anonymous of the 4 June 6:10 post. You requested that I answer some questions so I will try.
First Question – The statement you quoted was my condensed Reader’s Digest version of the negotiations. When the bottom line was written on the negotiations the teacher reps took what was offered, if they did not please correct me.
I agree that the teacher reps tried to do a good job but the problem is they were like children with rocks fighting seasoned combat veterans with heavy arms. The problem was not with the teacher reps and I apologize if I gave the impression it was, the problem was and continues to be with the administration. The School Board has a financial committee charged with the responsibility along with Mr. Jackson to make a budget for the school system. Not once has Mr. Jackson included the budget committee in making that budget, instead he makes it out and shows it to them, sometimes with less than an hour before voting to approve it. With four sure unquestioning votes in his pocket, there’s no need to involve anyone else. He then sends Mrs. Braden to the negotiations with his budget numbers. The negotiations are almost totally dependent on the willingness of the administration to give something. The Teacher Reps have no power to demand or require. An example from last years budget shows that after the teachers were told there was no money for raises, other than the state mandated, over $300,000.00 was moved out of teacher salaries through different amendments to the budget. Yes I am aware that the request was taken to the board, if you remember I spoke in favor of that increase, but the board voted with Mr. Jackson, surprise, surprise.
Question Two: I fear you misunderstand my statement that, "both sides did not negotiate in good faith". What I mean is the Administration entered the negotiations with clear instruction of what was to be offered and the teachers could either take it or cry about it but that it would not change. What power do teachers have to alter administration offers. They can quit and some have but most have just continued to take the crumbs, be dissatisfied and continue to enable the system that has caused many to question why they ever became teachers to begin with. While I have great respect for classroom teachers it is not their courage to stand against dishonest people and practices that I admire.
Question Three: I have not attended any actual negotiation meetings but as I said before I do not have to stand in the rain to know it is raining. I do not feel and I certainly did not intent to imply those on the teachers side of the negotiations acted in anyway other than with concern for all the teachers and their county. The problem is you just can’t talk a copperhead out of biting you. I hope I have answered your questions and made it very clear that I am very supportive of classroom teachers. Allen Barrett
Allen,
It would help when you make these post to be clearer on your stances and more precise on the facts that you state. When you do this, people have no reason to disagree with what you are supporting. You can't come across as one having issue with everything and everybody. Just remember that when you post again. ALWAYS BE INFORMED AND CORRECT.
1:25...
That would help, but the problem is that he does have issues with everything and everyone. That is, everthing he can't control and everyone who doesn't agree with everything he says. And you hit the nail on the head......he's not precise with the facts because most of the time he doesn't have the facts, just what he assumes to be true or what somebody told him that he doesn't take the time to verify before posting it if it it's something he WANTS to be true. I agree with you, but face it that will never happen.
Julie, go milk your cows.
9:53 all you got to do is show the examples you keep vaguely referring too. Until then like so many others have stated you are just a bag of hot air.
You wouldn't know the facts if they slapped you in the face. Get involved ask your commissioners questions come to school board meetings and county commission and committee meetings. You'll shut your mouth then! I have attended many meetings. The majority of the public shows no interest to be there and learn what goes on in local government. No one has the time to educate you on this blog. Get off your a#$ and find out for yourself.
If I were retired or wealthy I could come to those meetings. I have to work for a living and my employer frowns on taking time off for public meetings. I don't want to waste my vacation time to attend all the meetings either since the commissioner or committees seem to have a meeting almost weekly. They are making a great living at meeting since they are paid for all of those.
Vanzant and many of the commissioners deliberately hold meetings during the daytime so the least amount of public can attend. Commissioner Terry Harwell has tried more than once to get the meetinhs held in the evenings but that hasnt passed because there are those who want the coverups. At least Mr Harwell thinks of the public and since he is running for tax assessor, based on that alone he gets my vote.
Now we know what the $75,000 was for. If you divide the 75,000 between over 600 employees then you are only going to get a little over a $100 each. You do remember the fiasco with the payment before when matching taxes and benefits came out of the money first. A gift card is the best idea to clear the entire amount money and to help out the Giles County economy. Of course this is for ALL employees not just teachers.
The offer for school employees is $50.00 in shopping dollars not $25.00 or $100.00.
Mrs Murrey tried to get the amount raised to $150.00 but it was not accepted. Part of the reason why the budget was not accepted at the school board meeting is because the full $75,000.00 could not be accounted for along with a number of other questions asked by a couple board members.
Well don't worry about the gift card because the commission refused to okay a budget with that money so it was removed from the budget.
I think the commission refused the budget for much more than that. I believe it was a direct message to Mr. Jackson for the recent revelations about several things - Mrs. Sigmon's $14,000 "bonus", Mrs. Mittlestead's HIGH raise for what, Mrs. Ferguson's $5000 going away gift when she kept a working space and is still going to work part time, the new salary for the Leaps and Bounds director. And the list could go on and on. Doubt he got or gets the message though.
I think tha Ms. Middlestead is getting another raise this year to take over more of Mr. Davis' duties. Someone needs to check into this. Why is there not being a new vocational director hired. TJ said in a past meeting that no one that was qualified applied. When was the job posted. Surely out of 350 teachers someone in Giles County was qualified!!
Being qualified has little to do with teaching ability or education it has everything to do with sucking up to TJ, how do you think Hastings has lasted or McMasters or Polly along with some others. Speaking of McMasters she is a good example for ambitious teachers to follow, who don't have a family member on the school board, rule with the ruthlessness of a dictator, stay away from work half the year, blame everyone else for any problems, bully students and teachers, manipulate evaluations by teachers and suck, suck, suck up to TJ and you too can become a very high paid administrator with two and a half assistants or a Leaps & Bounds director.
looks like a green-eyed monster talking to me. so 9 01 which job did you not get, the one she just got or the one she just left. guess you didnt get the leaps and bounds job either. jealousy is an ugly thing.
Amen 6:27! I've never seen that job posted and don't think it has been. Can a person who doesn't even have a teaching certificate and has never spent a day in a classroom be a supervisor over teachers??? I for one find it appalling that a secretary now makes as much as I do as a teacher with a degree and many years experience. This is what makes me look so forward to retirement. The injustice is infuriating.
wab..
Do you see everyone in public office as being crooked and sleazy? Please tell me how you would improve, for example, the so-called "dysfunctional" Financial Management Office? And no, I do not work there.
To Anonymous of the 9:06 post.
As I have said many times not everyone in "public office is a crook or sleazy". There are far more responsible hard working people in "public office" than the "sleazy crooks" you write of.
The question I have for you is what would you call an elected official who spends more time hanging on a rail outside their office smoking than doing their job then whines that he needs more help?
What would you call a person who lies at the drop of a hat to cover their incompetence and other lies?
What would you call those who violate the intent of the law by living outside the county and paying taxes elsewhere while spending money like a drunken fool?
I could go on and list several others that behave in such a manner as to totally discredit the office they hold and the trust placed in them but surely you get the picture.
There are some very well qualified, honest, hard working people in the Financial Management Office. The thing that is needed in the Financial Management Office, more than anything else, is simply a strong willed person to lead it in complying with the laws that govern its operation.
Allowing department heads to manipulate personnel, ignore the law by refusing to send the proper staff there to work, giving unwarranted raises in direct violation of adopted rules, accepting fraudulent budgets and helping to cover other budget irregularities and not standing firm on decisions that are made are all parts of the problem.
Mrs. Garner is qualified and is trying very hard to do a good job. She will never accomplish that goal until she becomes independent of the Highway Department, the school director and the county executive, how can she hope to stand up to them when they have the power to reprimand/fire her. That position should be put directly under the control of the full commission.
Allen Barrett
wab..
So, what you are really saying is that the Financial Management Office needs someone like you to take charge and get things done? Or, would you be more specific and say that the Office needs YOU? Just wondering.
Anonymous would you please say how what WAB stated about Mrs Garner being placed under the control of the full commission, instead of those he named, could possibly be translated by any thinking person to mean he wants to be in charge of financial management?
Anybody seen Jackson's purty new car? Did he shop Giles County?
anonymous..
Go back and read my post again about your hero and Financial Management. I simply asked a question.
Now, as for the one who had a smart remark about Mr. Jackson's new car, please tell me why that is any of your business or mine?
To the 4:52 ignoramus.
You may have asked a question but in reality it was an accusation in your July 4th statement that was totally disconnected to what WAB had said about the financial management office. I would still like to know how having that office answer to the commission instead of Mrs Vanzant, Mr T. Jackson and Barry Hyatt would possibly put WAB in charge of it?
I don't know if you're just stupid or if you have let your prejudice against WAB make you look that way, guess the results are the same?
As for the car I didn't even know he had one but can imagine he needed it traveling back and forth to Athens every day
anonymous..
Wrong, my misguided friend. I was simply saying that wab thinks someone of his caliber should be in charge, perhaps him! How laughable of you to misunderstand what I said and then accuse me of the same thing.
One more thing. Mr. Jackson's car is none of your business, is it?
5:38 you can't really blame anyone for being confused by your statement I mean most of us went by what you wrote and not by what you meant. It's hard to read the mind of a person missing theirs.
Absurd.
If the person didn't have a mind then why would anyone have a hard time reading what's not there? Laughable statement!
5:21 do you understand the word, DUH. It applies to statement.
Please answer the question. Thanks.
To Anonymous of the 11 July 10:07 post.
DUH is a term used to show the utter
obviousness of a thing. It's like standing in a heavy rain and saying "it's raining" or asking "if a bank has any money".
Can a person see something that isn't there? The answer is obviously no.
You stated, "If the person didn't have a mind then why would anyone have a hard time reading what's not there?" Well, if it's not there "how could" they read it? Allen Barrett
wab..
You are truly amazing. The last sentence in your post is exactly the question I asked an anonymous writer. The question was about how one could read a mind that wasn't there. You asked the same question. Hilarious.
You lack of understanding appears once again.
8:04 Surely you are not that stupid?
Read both posts and then ask yourself who is really the stupid one?
The post was not directed to you in the first place.
Post a Comment
<< Home