<< Okay. I'm not feeling so sorry for you. You live in a 4,000 square foot house and have a daughter who is away at college. I think you will be okay. You don't really need to live on a half acre in such a house as one person. Maintaining such a house must cost a lot. >>

That includes the basement - 2700 SQF finished space. I do owe more money than I paid for the house because I got a 90K home equity loan to pay for her college. You're right - I cannot maintain the house properly because my real estate taxes have gone up to almost $600 a month - All so teachers don't get their benefits reduced. They are 55% of the county budget.

My experiece with FCFS teachers:

When my daughter was in Kindergarten they wanted to hold her back because she couldn't read. I asked how are you teaching her to read? They replied that she should already be reading when she got there. The way they are teaching is they read them a lot of books and one day it "just clicks" and they can read. I took it upon myself to teach her at home using a phonetic approach. I had her reading in 3 weeks.

That includes the basement - 2700 SQF finished space. I do owe more money than I paid for the house because I got a 90K home equity loan to pay for her college. You're right - I cannot maintain the house properly because my real estate taxes have gone up to almost $600 a month - All so teachers don't get their benefits reduced. They are 55% of the county budget.

um, you did know this when you moved to the county, right? That we take schools VERY seriously here. And if you really think it goes straight to the teacher's benenfits, and not say, um SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, then you really need to get out more. Every school around here is stuffed to the gills. Up until they rebuilt my Alma Mater, it was Trailer City all over the place.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


When my daughter was in Kindergarten they wanted to hold her back because she couldn't read. I asked how are you teaching her to read? They replied that she should already be reading when she got there. The way they are teaching is they read them a lot of books and one day it "just clicks" and they can read. I took it upon myself to teach her at home using a phonetic approach. I had her reading in 3 weeks.

if you really feel this way, prehaps you should home-school yr kid. I'm not trying to clown you or anything like that. It just seems you have some sorta mad-on for the FCPS, their teachers, etc. And it's probably not going to stop here. If you feel you can do their job better than them, either join up and become a teacher, take yr kids to private school, home school them, or move out of the county. Those are kinda your only options. Move to Idaho where the property values are MUCH LOWER than here, y'know?

the teachers cant really focus ONLY on yr kid when they have a room with 25-30 other kids in it. Sorry but that's life here in Fairfax. Sometimes, it takes PARENTS to parent to get things done. I'm glad you learned that by teaching your daughter how to read - that's the way it SHOULD be done :)

I really, truly hope you come to some reckoning with your kid's school. Maybe you can volunteer some time in her classroom, or in the school office. That way, you can see hands-on what IS and IS NOT happening, y'know?

p.s. rent that basement out, yo. Probably could get $700-850 a month for it from some college student

My kid's in college now douche. GEEEEZZZZZ. When I retire I will be forced out of the County - because I will not be able to afford the Real Estate taxes. I'll leave that to you. Good Luck!

Did your daughter get the advantage of FCPS schools for her entire K-12 education? Would you have felt the same way about your taxes when she was attending?

Many people move out of this county when they retire for the very reason you are citing---high taxes. This is how America works. If you want services, you pay taxes. If you don't want services, move to a lower tax area where there aren't services or less services.

Lots of us are in the same boat as far as retirement goes and definitely thinking of moving to lower cost areas.

My kid's in college now douche. GEEEEZZZZZ. When I retire I will be forced out of the County - because I will not be able to afford the Real Estate taxes. I'll leave that to you. Good Luck!

ROFLMFAO!!!!!

and I'm sure that FCPS teachers had nothing to do with that particular journey, right?

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

That's CLASSIC!!!!!!!!

p.s. if taxes so high here, you can always move to Idaho. Lower taxes, cheaper housing, nice lakes, less traffic. Just sayin.................

happens Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

So much teacher union BS to debunk in this post....

> BTW, Virginia is a "right to work" state. There
> is no real union.

Incorrect. 'Right to Work' means you cannot have a closed shop. That is, employees cannot be compelled to join a union as a condition of employment. Virginia can and does have teachers unions. FCPS each has an active branch of the NEA and the AFT, but teachers cannot be compelled to join.

> I work at a school where 2
> teachers have already been fired this year.
> Actually, they were not "fired" because they
> basically tell you that you can "resign" or be
> "fired". Most people choose "resign" because this
> is their career and they want to get another job
> if possible and not have a "fire" on their job
> record

And so the administrator, fearful of union lawsuits if they terminated someone, presents the evidence and allows the teacher to resign. Off to go inflict whatever their failing was (personal, professional, etc.) on the next school district that employs them. I beleive this is how Ricks moved from job to job for like 20 years.

Cut Teacher Pensions Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My kid's in college now douche. GEEEEZZZZZ. When
> I retire I will be forced out of the County -
> because I will not be able to afford the Real
> Estate taxes.

Absolutely! You need to move somewhere that you can afford to live. We don't need more low income people taking more in services than they pay in taxes.

This thread goes to show the concern we all have for where our tax dollars go.
The teachers are not the expensive piece of the budget. They are, however, necessary and what people DO move here for. I've not heard anyone justify the bureaucratic cancer FCPS continues to feed in centralized staff. We all know the teachers are being thrown under the bus by those same parasites as the rest choose to remain nameless unless running for elected office.

<< and I'm sure that FCPS teachers had nothing to do with that particular journey, right?

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

That's CLASSIC!!!!!!!! <<

The EX was allowed to move to S.C. when she was in the 2nd grade. FFX County Teachers had nothing to do with her education. Classic argument for the never ending increases in taxes. "The schools are so good." Wrong dildo - the job environment is so good.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

That's CLASSIC!!!!!!!!

If it helps you learn:

http://www.fcta.org/data/fx-public-schools/should-teacher-salaries-be-increased

Cut Teacher Pensions Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> << In the "real world", you can leave a
> company---29 years is a long time to stay in the
> same place >>
>
> I stayed because of the "Pension". It wasn't
> eliminated till I put 25 years in. The Company
> started a 401K plan whereby they matched the first
> 6% of salary. That lasted 2 years until the crash
> in 2008. Went 2 years with nothing. In January
> they started matching 3% of the first 6% you put
> in the 401K. When you are your 50's and has a kid
> in College (out of state) you don't start looking
> for a new job. - too risky.
>
> As far a a masters - the only option is night
> school. Get real. Two to Three hour commute -
> 8.5 hours at work - can't be done. I don't get
> summers off.
>
> Like millions of others I accept the way things
> are. Life is not fair. You deal with it. I am
> angry that FCPS teacher's bleed entitlement while
> my real estate taxes have gone throught the roof.

I never said you should get a Master's degree. You said you had a B.S. and asked what a FCPS teacher made after 29 years. You're making $96k with a B.S. That's a pretty good salary.

I still love my job of teaching first grade after 31 years! My students learn a tremendous amount every school year. I work with true professionals who have a passion for learning and teaching. Maybe Cut Teacher Pensions needs to look in the mirror and do what it takes to become more positive.....for his health and the happiness of his family.

My whole family is in education and they love to bitch and gossip. I hate the holidays since they never shut the fuck up about the kids,parents, school ect..

Most of my family would never make it the real job market.

Interesting read, but as always there are fatal flaws when someone with an obvious agenda presents a position paper, such as:

*Some data is not footnoted or referenced
*A number of the footnotes include personal opinions rather than research
*Broken links within the footnotes
*Private/Public employee comparisons do not take level of education into account when comparing salaries (or this information was not properly referenced)

Like I said, an interesting read but unfortunately the author has an obvious agenda and the research is at best skewed and at worst misrepresentative.

Cut Teacher Pensions Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If it helps you learn:
>
> http://www.fcta.org/data/fx-public-schools/should-
> teacher-salaries-be-increased

I am conflicted.

I think teaching would be hard for me...all the rude parents and snotty kids.

Teachers are professionals and should be fairly compensated.

Some of my kids' teachers are great, most are average and some stink. There seems to be no way for a crappy teacher to be fired.

FCPS budget is way too big...too many nice-to-have administrators etc

Our taxes are high enough....I do not want to give another penny to anyone...Obama, Newt, Jack Dale....no one. I need my pennies.

I hate the very concept of teacher's unions....they only fight for more more more, and do not self-police (i.e., they fight to prevent firing teachers who should be fired).

I'd like to see the good teachers paid in gold and poor ones horsewhipped.

Because I am conflicted, I cannot support paying anything more....I am in favor of deep cuts in spending for a few years to force some major changes in FCPS.

I am not sure what to do.

Posted by: Cut Teacher Pensions ()
Date: March 27, 2011 07:02PM

"The EX was allowed to move to S.C. when she was in the 2nd grade. FFX County Teachers had nothing to do with her education. Classic argument for the never ending increases in taxes. "The schools are so good." Wrong dildo - the job environment is so good."


sounds like you should go follow, then ;)

To What crack is she on?....please do not assume I am a female.

Interesting read, but ... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Interesting read, but as always there are fatal
> flaws when someone with an obvious agenda presents
> a position paper, such as:
>
> *Some data is not footnoted or referenced
> *A number of the footnotes include personal
> opinions rather than research
> *Broken links within the footnotes
> *Private/Public employee comparisons do not take
> level of education into account when comparing
> salaries (or this information was not properly
> referenced)
>
> Like I said, an interesting read but unfortunately
> the author has an obvious agenda and the research
> is at best skewed and at worst misrepresentative.
>
> Cut Teacher Pensions Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > If it helps you learn:
> >
> >
> http://www.fcta.org/data/fx-public-schools/should-
>
> > teacher-salaries-be-increased


...and who is "Jack Vale"?

Your are an English teacher who doesn't write English very well.

Does the Fairfax County teacher's retirement cover their families insurance coverage fully also? Or is it just the teacher's insurance that is covered?

Jade Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does the Fairfax County teacher's retirement cover
> their families insurance coverage fully also? Or
> is it just the teacher's insurance that is
> covered?

It depends on what the retiree needs. A retiree can have single coverage, mini-family, or family. But what do you mean by "fully covered"? It is not paid for by the school board. The retiree has to pay for the coverage. It is about $1500 a month for family coverage.

tgbwc Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> It depends on what the retiree needs. A retiree
> can have single coverage, mini-family, or family.
> But what do you mean by "fully covered"? It is
> not paid for by the school board. The retiree has
> to pay for the coverage. It is about $1500 a month
> for family coverage.

My estimate was a little high (about right if you add dental). Rates run between $1,070 and $1,361 a month for family coverage. Individual coverage runs between $428 and $524 per month. A lot of people think that teachers don't pay anything for their health care when they retire. The school board picks up $100.

http://www.fcps.edu/DHR/retirees/benefits/2011health/pdfs/11retireebriefing.pdf

Cut Teacher Pensions Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> "Public Service" employees get back door raises -
> they are called "In Step".

FCPS teachers have not gotten step increases for the last three years.

My father's retirement from the defense contractor where he worked for 42 years comes to about 80% of what he was paid his last two years.

These days the same company doesn't offer a pension (I know because I work for them), but my financial planner has me budgeting and investing with the same 80% goal.

Seems to me that 75% is a little short of what it should be...

tgbwc Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I never said you should get a Master's degree. You
> said you had a B.S. and asked what a FCPS teacher
> made after 29 years. You're making $96k with a
> B.S. That's a pretty good salary.

I make almost $120k a year without even an Associates.

A teacher with a Ph.D and max years in doesn't make that in FCPS, even if you extrapolate an extra two months.

I work for my money, but I'm pretty sure plenty of teachers work just as hard.

tgbwc Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> tgbwc Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > It depends on what the retiree needs. A retiree
> > can have single coverage, mini-family, or
> family.
> > But what do you mean by "fully covered"? It is
> > not paid for by the school board. The retiree
> has
> > to pay for the coverage. It is about $1500 a
> month
> > for family coverage.
>
> My estimate was a little high (about right if you
> add dental). Rates run between $1,070 and $1,361 a
> month for family coverage. Individual coverage
> runs between $428 and $524 per month. A lot of
> people think that teachers don't pay anything for
> their health care when they retire. The school
> board picks up $100.
>
> http://www.fcps.edu/DHR/retirees/benefits/2011heal
> th/pdfs/11retireebriefing.pdf

Try getting those rates in the private market. THEY DO NOT EXIST. Maybe a healthy 30 year old could get an individual policy for ~$500/mo, but no way can you get anything in the market, group or individual insurance, for that price for a retiree. It is subsidized in some way by FCPS.

Summer is not a vacation. Those hours have already been worked prior (and many more:) Further, the "vacation" is 9 weeks, not a "summer"

While you are asking...

Why do they get paid 90K for a job with essentially 180 days of vacation a year? (add it the fuck up)

It's also a job where you get paid more over time even though your roles, responsibilities, and knowledge are essentially not increasing measurably.

In my field, I have to move up and take on more responsibility to earn more. I also have to keep abreast of technologies that flip every 18 months...and we don't get a fat cat retirement..indexed for inflation or otherwise. I don't get to teach the same Algebra 1 curriculum for 20 years straight.

If I hear one more person say that teachers aren't paid enough, I will puke...or punch the asshole. Anyone saying that is either naive or disingenuous, but either way, they need a "wake up" slap.

Lewis Wade Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Summer is not a vacation. Those hours have
> already been worked prior (and many more:)
> Further, the "vacation" is 9 weeks, not a "summer"


Fuck. You.

Do you have any concept of how many hours people work in this county? And by work, I don't mean teach the same thing over and over...and pretend they have extended office hours.

Suck my ass. We'll get to your benefits soon. Count on it. The wind is shifting...and once home mortgage deductions go, America is going to wake up.

aszdfgvzsdfgzsd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Do you have any concept of how many hours people
> work in this county? And by work, I don't mean
> teach the same thing over and over...and pretend
> they have extended office hours.
>

Sour grapes. If you think it's so great, go get a job teaching, if you're smart enough to get the degree and a job.

I'm thinking you're jealous due to being to stupid to teach.

And I am not a teacher.

huh?? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> aszdfgvzsdfgzsd Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Do you have any concept of how many hours
> people
> > work in this county? And by work, I don't mean
> > teach the same thing over and over...and
> pretend
> > they have extended office hours.
> >
>
> Sour grapes. If you think it's so great, go get a
> job teaching, if you're smart enough to get the
> degree and a job.
>
> I'm thinking you're jealous due to being to stupid
> to teach.
>
> And I am not a teacher.


Guess again. Both my BS and MS are in engineering. As I stated, I am in an industry where the technology flips every 18 months. What did you infer from that statement originally? That I am a fucking plumber? Way to demonstrate your complete lack of reading comprehension...assplug.

Why I am not a teacher:

- I prefer to work in a challenging field rather than being stuck in an endless Groundhog Day loop

- Can earn more in my field

- Prefer to work with people from whom I can learn...rather than a bunch of bed-wetting whiners


Please don't take this the wrong way, but fuck off.

Those who can't do, teach.

I'm about to start my fourth year teaching, and will be receiving my very first pay raise. I chose fairfax over loudoun because of the benefits (that's how they compete). I don't think teachers in fairfax are paid too little, rather just enough to live modestly in the county (live in a 1980s townhouse with a roommate, driving the same care I bought in high school, and haven't taken a trip anywhere since teaching because I've been paying off my student loan).

I didn't decide to be a teacher because I wanted to be wealthy, I did it for the kids, and have never and will never expect to live lavishly. I do agree it is difficult to fire underperforming teachers, and because of that they stagnate in schools, giving those of us who are meeting or exceeding expectations a bad rap.

It's true that standards and the counties program of study changes every year. We are expected to update our lessons and practices every year. My school meeting/trainings stopped the last week of June. I've been in training/meeting since August 2nd. The "vacation" is not truly 3 month most of us (at least in cluster1)

Btw:

Education level--all this talk about degrees....now in Virginia (i suspect it didn't used to be this way) you cannot earn teacher certification from the major colleges until you reach the masters level.

Taxes--you get what you paid for. There a reason northern states like NY, NJ, and PA outperform our students. They pay much higher taxes which equates to lower student:teacher ratios, more attention for each students needs, etc
Oh and their teachers are paid more......

corrupt bargain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> From Page 38 of the school budget:
>
> "....the VRS employee contribution of 5.0 percent
> (unchanged from FY 2011), which is also paid by
> FCPS, results in a total FCPS contribution to VRS
> of 10.16 percent in FY 2012, compared to 8.93
> percent in FY 2011."
>
> FCPS pays both the employER and employEE
> contribution for retirement - the teachers pay 0.
> FCPS employees get a total of 10% of the salary
> paid to the VRS. How long has this deal been
> going on?


I think this means the employee contributes 5%,and FCPS contributes 5% more.

You guys are missing something... First off, teachers should get as much benefits as they can to deal with your crappy kids all day!!

But there's also this lessor known fact...most teachers are required to attend teaching conferences and classes and others cert classes during the summer, and most times at their cost. So that summer "vacation" isn't all you people think it's cracked up to be. They're also not off all the months the kids are either.

Like it or not, what Northern VA teachers get is set by the market. If you leave this area and check out teacher's salaries and benefits, whatever deal FCPS, Arlington, or Loudoun teachers get is average at best.

Believe it or not, school districts have to deal with the fact that the grass can be greener elsewhere. Knowing what teachers make elsewhere (which much lower housing costs), I am not sure why anyone relying on a FCPS salary to pay the bills would stay here. Go somewhere with a union and stop spending half your salary on a townhouse.

Teaching kids in Fairfax is not some "dream job" that people will take less money for. Sure some of the teachers probably have spouses who make a bunch of money working for Booz Allen or something, and they just work to stay busy, so the money isn't important. Some of them actually rely on that salary and if it doesn't provide a decently comfortable existence, then the teachers that are worth anything will go where they can find it. See how "prestigious" TJ is when it is staffed with some bottom of the barrel teachers because FCPS pays teachers like a McDonalds manager.

FCPS says they're going to pay the Teacher's contribution into VRS for them. Guess where that money is coming from? The rest of your services including public safety. The county must balance their budget every year by law and gives over 50% of their total budget (bigger than some state) to the school board which is allowed to function semi-autonomously. The new county executive recently notified all the department heads to cut 5% of their budgets for the next two fiscal years. In some places like public safety, that directly translates to positions. The population of fairfax County is increasing due to development in Lorton and tysons not to mentioned added problems because of the Metro expansion. Enjoy the 15 minute wait for a Paramedic when you're have a heart attack or a 12 minute wait for a cop when some shitbag is stabbing you for your I-phone. No Hope, keep the change.

PS The Firefighters pay 7% into their retirement, the cops pay 10%.

fcpsassrapestaxpayers Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> FCPS says they're going to pay the Teacher's
> contribution into VRS for them.

Objection. Facts not in evidence

more waste Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am yet to see a study that says that teaches
> with a masters are better teachers-waste of money
> in my opinion.
>
> Payments to Univ of Wisconsin were $877,734 in FY
> 2010.
>
> George Mason got only $327,433.
>
> Something fishy aboyt Wisconsin.....
>
> Another bs expense-$40,846 to VA School Boards
> Assoc. What the crap is that? Do we have to belong
> to that?



Hiring a teacher with a Masters Degree is like hiring a brain surgeon to give physicals at the local CVS. It does not take a brain surgeon to shove a thermometer into some illegals mouth.

Kardinal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> corrupt bargain Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > From Page 38 of the school budget:
> >
> > "....the VRS employee contribution of 5.0
> percent
> > (unchanged from FY 2011), which is also paid by
> > FCPS, results in a total FCPS contribution to
> VRS
> > of 10.16 percent in FY 2012, compared to 8.93
> > percent in FY 2011."
> >
> > FCPS pays both the employER and employEE
> > contribution for retirement - the teachers pay
> 0.
> > FCPS employees get a total of 10% of the salary
> > paid to the VRS. How long has this deal been
> > going on?
>
>
> I think this means the employee contributes 5%,and
> FCPS contributes 5% more.

No, it means that FCPS pays the whole bill. There is an 'employee' contribution, which is paid by FCPS, and a employer contribution, also paid by FCPS.

Enigma Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> most
> teachers are required to attend teaching
> conferences and classes and others cert classes
> during the summer, and most times at their cost.

complete BS. a total lie. They may go to some conference that the school elects to not pay for, but it's not mandatory. Anything 'required' is paid for by FCPS.

Show us your last 5 years of tax returns.

Content Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Taxes--you get what you paid for. There a reason
> northern states like NY, NJ, and PA outperform our
> students. They pay much higher taxes which
> equates to lower student:teacher ratios, more
> attention for each students needs, etc
> Oh and their teachers are paid more......

Yes you do. Unemployment rates for the states you mention -

NY - 9.1%
NJ - 9.8%
PA - 7.9%

and VA - 5.9%.

Average property tax rate:

VA - 1.12%
NY - 1.76%
NJ - 1.78%
PA - 1.70%

And SAT scores:

VA - 512/509/495
NY - 485/499/476
NJ - 495/516/497
PA - 493/501/479

So higher taxes, higher unemployment, and lower test scores for NY, PA, and NJ. They do not outperform our students, they underperform and spend more money doing it.

read it Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Kardinal Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > corrupt bargain Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > From Page 38 of the school budget:
> > >
> > > "....the VRS employee contribution of 5.0
> > percent
> > > (unchanged from FY 2011), which is also paid
> by
> > > FCPS, results in a total FCPS contribution to
> > VRS
> > > of 10.16 percent in FY 2012, compared to 8.93
> > > percent in FY 2011."
> > >
> > > FCPS pays both the employER and employEE
> > > contribution for retirement - the teachers
> pay
> > 0.
> > > FCPS employees get a total of 10% of the
> salary
> > > paid to the VRS. How long has this deal been
> > > going on?
> >
> >
> > I think this means the employee contributes
> 5%,and
> > FCPS contributes 5% more.
>
> No, it means that FCPS pays the whole bill. There
> is an 'employee' contribution, which is paid by
> FCPS, and a employer contribution, also paid by
> FCPS.

A bunch of years back (when annual small raises were the norm) the teachers got no salary scale raise on year and FCPS picked up the 5% for retirement. A lot of school districts in the state have done this as well. The legislature voted last year to require teachers to pay 5% of the VRS contribution and that schools give teachers a 5% raise to compensate (if the teachers did not pay in directly). In the end, the teachers actually lost a little $ because they are taxed on the 5% raise so the raise does not match the VRS deduction. State gets a little more this way, too. Costs schools around the state a bunch on $ to implement the change. Anyway, it was a stupid idea, but it was meant to make people feel better by saying the teachers are paying into their retirement.

doh!? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Enigma Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > most
> > teachers are required to attend teaching
> > conferences and classes and others cert classes
> > during the summer, and most times at their cost.
>
>
> complete BS. a total lie. They may go to some
> conference that the school elects to not pay for,
> but it's not mandatory. Anything 'required' is
> paid for by FCPS.


you are the liar. Teachers have to be re-certified every 5 years ago, and this requires they take classes. plus if they teach AP they have to take a class every few years. Sometimes school systems sponsor these classes, but many times teachers have to pay for them on their own.

You don't know what you are talking about so you should shut up. Also you shouldn't be able to vote because you are stupid.

Crabapple Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> doh!? Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Enigma Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > most
> > > teachers are required to attend teaching
> > > conferences and classes and others cert
> classes
> > > during the summer, and most times at their
> cost.
> >
> >
> > complete BS. a total lie. They may go to some
> > conference that the school elects to not pay
> for,
> > but it's not mandatory. Anything 'required' is
> > paid for by FCPS.
>
>
> you are the liar. Teachers have to be re-certified
> every 5 years ago, and this requires they take
> classes. plus if they teach AP they have to take a
> class every few years. Sometimes school systems
> sponsor these classes, but many times teachers
> have to pay for them on their own.
>
> You don't know what you are talking about so you
> should shut up. Also you shouldn't be able to vote
> because you are stupid.


This is the big teacher union lie - 'teachers are out there spending their own time and money - it's all about the children'. Nonsense. All of the in service training offered on teacher workdays count towards re-certification. Teachers are on the clock for that and the training is paid for by FCPS. The license re-certification requirements are a joke - attending the FCPS teacher training days, mentoring a new teacher, participating in a curriculum development activity, or attending a conference. One 3 credit college course every five years gets you halfway there - with the tuition picked up by FCPS. I think you'd be hard pressed to find any items on most FCPS teacher recertitication applications that wasn't paid for by FCPS. This is like the story of the teacher that reaches into their own pocket for school supplies - which I'm sure it happens once in a while - but is far from common. Some teacher somewhere in FCPS paid out of their own pocket to attend a training class once so the answer now becomes 'teachers have to pay for their own training'.


BTW, the AP certification class is offered by FCPS locally and the tuition is covered by FCPS.

look it up, jackass--ap cert is not offered internally to any school system every year, which is why people come from all over to take it when its offered in a given subject in a given system.

Also fcps has not paid for college tuition for many years now--so you are a liar, as above.

lies Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> look it up, jackass--ap cert is not offered
> internally to any school system every year, which
> is why people come from all over to take it when
> its offered in a given subject in a given system.
>
> Also fcps has not paid for college tuition for
> many years now--so you are a liar, as above.

Fascinating - so I guess the "FCPS Advanced Placement Institute", which offered certification in 25 AP topics in June, is not an internal offering. What is it then? http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/api.shtml

Also, what is this? Tuition reimbursement is back on - "The FCPS Tuition Reimbursement Program is reinstated for FY13. The program will be in effect for coursework that began after July 1, 2012, and will end by June 30, 2013."

As for this 'pay for your own training', I guess the 90 page course catalog of FCPS training classes doesn't count in your book. Of course, such fascinating courses as 'Introduction to Blogs', 'Daily Digital Images', and 'Human Relations' might make you wonder what the value of the training might be to a teacher. Take those three and you're half way to your recertification.

Nothing left to any of your arguments, is there?

Crabapple Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> doh!? Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Enigma Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > most
> > > teachers are required to attend teaching
> > > conferences and classes and others cert
> classes
> > > during the summer, and most times at their
> cost.
> >
> >
> > complete BS. a total lie. They may go to some
> > conference that the school elects to not pay
> for,
> > but it's not mandatory. Anything 'required' is
> > paid for by FCPS.
>
>
> you are the liar. Teachers have to be re-certified
> every 5 years ago, and this requires they take
> classes. plus if they teach AP they have to take a
> class every few years. Sometimes school systems
> sponsor these classes, but many times teachers
> have to pay for them on their own.
>
> You don't know what you are talking about so you
> should shut up. Also you shouldn't be able to vote
> because you are stupid.

This can't be a teacher. Maybe someone trying to make teachers look bad but this was not written by an FCPS teacher. Most of the recertification is easily earned through FCPS in various training session during the 5 years. If you have not earned your master’s degree you have to take a graduate level class as part of the process, but FCPS even offers some of those (partnering with a stat university) for teachers at no cost. It takes time, can be a pain, but can easily be completed at no personal cost.

Now, many of us to attend additional conferences and training at our own expense, but that is our choice. We can write some of the expenses off on our taxes and earn recertification points, but we do pay for these. I have been “required” to attend a few summer meetings but I got paid hourly to do so.

Tuition reimbursement is back in a limited way for teachers, but not all may get it. This could help some teachers looking to earn advanced degrees or certify in other areas. This is good for the teacher and FCPS.


This can't be a teacher. Maybe someone trying to make teachers look bad but this is not a teacher. Most of the recertification

<< FCPS pays teachers like a McDonalds manager >>

But a McDonalds manager works 60 hour weeks without the summer off and no pension.

no lies Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> lies Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > look it up, jackass--ap cert is not offered
> > internally to any school system every year,
> which
> > is why people come from all over to take it
> when
> > its offered in a given subject in a given
> system.
> >
> > Also fcps has not paid for college tuition for
> > many years now--so you are a liar, as above.
>
> Fascinating - so I guess the "FCPS Advanced
> Placement Institute", which offered certification
> in 25 AP topics in June, is not an internal
> offering. What is it then?
> http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/api.shtml
>
> Also, what is this? Tuition reimbursement is back
> on - "The FCPS Tuition Reimbursement Program is
> reinstated for FY13. The program will be in effect
> for coursework that began after July 1, 2012, and
> will end by June 30, 2013."
>
> As for this 'pay for your own training', I guess
> the 90 page course catalog of FCPS training
> classes doesn't count in your book. Of course,
> such fascinating courses as 'Introduction to
> Blogs', 'Daily Digital Images', and 'Human
> Relations' might make you wonder what the value of
> the training might be to a teacher. Take those
> three and you're half way to your
> recertification.
>
> Nothing left to any of your arguments, is there?


Actually, you are making the arguments for me. If tuition reimbursement is 'back on' that means it was off. Which means teachers were paying for it out of their packets if they didn't 'introduction to blogs'

Also, the summer institute is not given in any one school system in every subject every year--which is what i said. if you are up for recertification for AP you have to find a place to take it. Loudon pays for you to take it elsewhere. FCPS does not.

Maybe you should have paid more attention in school when you were getting it for free

Crabapple Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Actually, you are making the arguments for me. If
> tuition reimbursement is 'back on' that means it
> was off. Which means teachers were paying for it
> out of their packets...

No, it means that IF they took graduate classes they would have paid for it themselves. Something tells me that once it was no longer offered free of charge, the number of teachers taking graduate classes dropped rather dramatically.

Depends on the situation. If the teacher already has a Master's, for licensure reasons there's no real incentive to take additional graduate classes save for any individual need to get more education. If the teacher has a BA, then they have to take a graduate level class before acquiring their next license so they will be taking grad classes whether FCPS pays for it or not.

no lies Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Crabapple Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > Actually, you are making the arguments for me.
> If
> > tuition reimbursement is 'back on' that means
> it
> > was off. Which means teachers were paying for
> it
> > out of their packets...
>
> No, it means that IF they took graduate classes
> they would have paid for it themselves. Something
> tells me that once it was no longer offered free
> of charge, the number of teachers taking graduate
> classes dropped rather dramatically.

Crabapple Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Maybe you should have paid more attention in
> school when you were getting it for free

Public school is not 'free'. Taxes are taken from property owners to pay for schools. Nothing that the government provides is 'free' - or, in the words of Milton Friedman - to spend is to tax.

You should like FCPS, they help keep our real estate values up so that poor people can't afford to live here.

damuri Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You should like FCPS, they help keep our real
> estate values up so that poor people can't afford
> to live here.


FCPS really has nothing to do with it.

The federal government has become a jobs program for underperforming minorities, so all of the educated people necessary to run government functions are now in government contracting. They've settled in FFX, and in general are better educated and better compensated than the general public. They not only have to do the work of government, they have to do it against the drag of people who now comprise the government. (The underperforming minorities are all in PG).

These educated people mate and reproduce, and send their offspring to FFX schools. Despite crappy infrastructure and mediocre teachers, these students excel in FCPS because of their genetic makeup and parental involvement. FCPS can influence on the margins, just as the teachers in PG can influence what they have coming in the doors only on the margin. But for the most part, FCPS's 'achievement' is a result of circumstance, not efforts.

Reality wrote: <> and then argues that the compensation is too generous....

When teachers chose the field, they chose based on both the work they wanted to do, helping our children learn--and the overall compensation package which was established by our elected representatives. DO you even know who is ON the School board? If not, then any problems you see in how the schools are managed can be blamed on folks like YOU more than on the teachers.

The BEST PAID teachers get about 80% of the median income for the county. If you add 10 % for retirement, that brings them up to about 94% of Average....I would not call this a free ride. Their job is as challenging as any other in the county, and more challenging than many. They get time off when we want our children to be home for the holidays. They do not control those policies any more than you do the ones at your job...Let's stop blaming teachers for decisions of politicians.

LOL! master's in teaching. C'mon... below average IQ is quite common in your field. Try to find that in engineering... you can't. Case Closed; you're compensated. p.s.... try working 70 hours a week every week for decades and then you'll know what it's like to work a hard job. When you get out at 2:15, think about that one.

mr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>try working 70 hours a week
> every week for decades and then you'll know what
> it's like to work a hard job.

If you don't like it, go get a different job. You knew what you were getting into when you took your 70 hour a week position.

Trying getting a job without knowing how to read or write and then you can start talking about the value of English Teachers.

No sense in trying to debate facts with tools like "corrupt bargain". He's a shit stirrer and obviously, upset with the fact that he didn't get an advanced degree and teaching certificate to make so little money teaching school, he will whine and bitch about every benefit you get. He doesn't care if Fairfax County's schools go second rate, so what if home values plummet and businesses stay away, he couldn't care less. All he cares about is a "level playing field," That means, he wants to bring everything down to his level because he's too narrow minded and cheap to support a quality school system. Yeah, there are many posters in this forum shrieking his same brand of BS. Keep on whining and gnashing your teeth.

just the way it is Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> damuri Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You should like FCPS, they help keep our real
> > estate values up so that poor people can't
> afford
> > to live here.
>
>
> FCPS really has nothing to do with it.
>
> The federal government has become a jobs program
> for underperforming minorities, so all of the
> educated people necessary to run government
> functions are now in government contracting.
> They've settled in FFX, and in general are better
> educated and better compensated than the general
> public. They not only have to do the work of
> government, they have to do it against the drag of
> people who now comprise the government. (The
> underperforming minorities are all in PG).
>
> These educated people mate and reproduce, and send
> their offspring to FFX schools. Despite crappy
> infrastructure and mediocre teachers, these
> students excel in FCPS because of their genetic
> makeup and parental involvement. FCPS can
> influence on the margins, just as the teachers in
> PG can influence what they have coming in the
> doors only on the margin. But for the most part,
> FCPS's 'achievement' is a result of circumstance,
> not efforts.

+1000

Typical commentary for somebody who voted for the likes of a Ken Cuccinelli. Keep telling yourself the quality of schools doesn't matter and keep spreading the hate and intolerance of your views. You can end up like Cuccinelli, in the unemployment line, where you belong.

Then stop complaining and teach. I have accrued $50k in student loans for this job...any benefit I receive was earned with years and years of hard work. If all of our hard work doesn't come with a few perks then what's he point of the so-called American Dream?

corrupt bargain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> From Page 38 of the school budget:
>
> "....the VRS employee contribution of 5.0 percent
> (unchanged from FY 2011), which is also paid by
> FCPS, results in a total FCPS contribution to VRS
> of 10.16 percent in FY 2012, compared to 8.93
> percent in FY 2011."
>
> FCPS pays both the employER and employEE
> contribution for retirement - the teachers pay 0.
> FCPS employees get a total of 10% of the salary
> paid to the VRS. How long has this deal been
> going on?

Is this still the case?