tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434819406898941181.post2709451219307060183..comments2024-03-28T03:13:56.387-05:00Comments on MuskogeePolitico.com: Bill granting more local control to teacher pay passes House committeeJamison Faughthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717547537110650231noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434819406898941181.post-29062552923149414892018-03-12T14:43:07.659-05:002018-03-12T14:43:07.659-05:00This is, perhaps, the biggest bunch of baloney I h...This is, perhaps, the biggest bunch of baloney I have heard since a con man called and told me I had just won the National Clearing House Sweepstakes (if I would agree to "pre-pay" my portion of the taxes). So let me get this straight, Mr. Caldwell...I'm a veteran teacher. And you're going to arrange for me to receive a raise by telling school districts that they "are free to" pay me more than the base salary paid to beginning teachers, but that they don't have to. As long as I stay in my current position, then I get to keep my salary, but if I ever accept a different position...well, "good luck!" Do I really have to tell you what's going to happen? Common sense, anyone:<br /><br />a. They'll be getting rid of the veteran teachers, using every excuse at their disposal, in order to hire brand new teachers to whom they can pay entry level wages.<br /><br />b. They'll take all the money they're saving and spend it on bloated administration staff, including six-digit salaries for superintendents and superfluous administration.<br /><br />c. They'll hire more coaches (with part-time classroom teaching assignments) so they can increase their athletic offerings and bolster their coaching staff.<br /><br />d. They'll start a bunch of new departments and feel-good initiatives: a "Department of This" and a "Department of That" (with paid directors).<br /><br />IN SHORT, Mr. Caldwell, NONE of that money is EVER going to go to teachers. We already see this: Rather than offer a competitive salary that woud attract talented teaching staff, these districts say that they can't find certified faculty for their positions and ask for "emergency certifications" for unqualified staff. Meanwhile, they squander the money they DO have on bloated administration, athletics, and superfluous side-initiatives.Dr. Troy L. Fullertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15897384567080608727noreply@blogger.com