teacher coming to Charlotte area-help! (Statesville, Matthews: health insurance, how much, school districts) - City-Data Forum

Michigan teacher · 02-28-2008, 07:46 PM

I am a teacher (elementary) in Michigan and am in the process of applying to the Charlotte-Mecklenberg, Iredell-Statesville, and Mooresville school districts. I have two elementary school aged children. Any advice on specific schools to check into or avoid? Any areas to avoid or make sure I visit? I'm looking for a family friendly area, but not real expensive. I'm living on a teacher's salary. I would really like to teach in the same school my kids attend or at least be close by. If I get offered a job, it would be nice to know ahead of time if it's a school or area I would like my kids to attend or if I need to keep looking. I figured from around Statesville through Charlotte would be my range since the water and the city are close enough for comfort, but I don't know where to start looking. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I will be visiting the week of March 24th.

DawnW · 02-28-2008, 08:13 PM

Please know that even if you teach elem. and your children are elem., they will not be allowed to come to your room at the end of the day. NC is very different in that. You will have to pay for after school care and go and get them at the end of the day.

Please also be aware that your insurance will NOT cover your children and be prepared to shell out between $500-$650/month for their coverage.

So, you could potentially be looking at an additional $800/month for the above items, depending on the number of children you have.

Just trying to inform you before you get here.

Dawn

buymyhouse:) · 02-28-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DawnW

Please know that even if you teach elem. and your children are elem., they will not be allowed to come to your room at the end of the day. NC is very different in that. You will have to pay for after school care and go and get them at the end of the day.

Dawn

At my husband's school, they allow the kids to go to their parent's class @ the end of the day but obviously have to go somewhere else when there is a meeting. I think this varies between schools.

Health insurance doesn't "cover" your children but you "add" them on to your insurance policy (it is free for employee only). That $ amount is only paid for 8-10 mths/year, not the entire 12 mths (at least that is how we pay for it in CMS).

DawnW · 02-29-2008, 11:45 AM

And how much more is that coverage for the kids? In Union County, it is around $450-$600, depending on if you are adding a spouse or not. Also, this DOES NOT include vision or dental. That would be even more.

I think with the extremely low pay given to teachers, along with the very minimal health care coverage, it is a wonder teachers can make it here at all.

Dawn

Quote:

Originally Posted by buymyhouse:)

At my husband's school, they allow the kids to go to their parent's class @ the end of the day but obviously have to go somewhere else when there is a meeting. I think this varies between schools.

Health insurance doesn't "cover" your children but you "add" them on to your insurance policy (it is free for employee only). That $ amount is only paid for 8-10 mths/year, not the entire 12 mths (at least that is how we pay for it in CMS).

TheEmissary · 02-29-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DawnW

And how much more is that coverage for the kids? In Union County, it is around $450-$600, depending on if you are adding a spouse or not. Also, this DOES NOT include vision or dental. That would be even more.

I think with the extremely low pay given to teachers, along with the very minimal health care coverage, it is a wonder teachers can make it here at all.

Dawn

Dawn - I read in my old hometown paper that all of the teachers in Garfield called in "sick" today after being without a contract for so long. If NJ teachers got a typical NC contract the whole state school system would come to a grinding halt. "What, Pay for health care"?

"Co-pays - what are those?" I guess that what could "charitably" be called a teachers union is run by Ben Dover and his wife, Eileen Dover.

Michigan teacher · 02-29-2008, 05:24 PM

They really can't come to the room even though school is out? That doesn't make sense. That extra cost for health care is crazy! thanks for the information.

jaynarie · 02-29-2008, 06:10 PM

My administration allows kids to go to their parent's classrooms. They have to set up alternative arrangements on staff meeting (or any other meeting) days.

buymyhouse:) · 02-29-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan teacher

They really can't come to the room even though school is out? That doesn't make sense. That extra cost for health care is crazy! thanks for the information.

Like I said, that apparently varies between schools b/c next year my son will go to school w/my husband and they allow him to come to his room until teachers can go home.
But, yeah, we pay about $600/month for insurance, which includes vision, but not dental, for all 4 of us. Although if you have 1 child or 4 children, the cost is the same for dependents. And you only pay for it months Oct-June (8 mths = $1200/yr).

28105 · 03-01-2008, 06:31 PM

I am partial to the Matthews area

. I am a teacher and in our school your child can come to your class after the school day. On meeting days, you make arrangements but that only happens about once/week.

cjohnsonRE · 03-01-2008, 07:04 PM

Kids have also been allowed to go to their parents room @ Bain Elem. in Mint Hill. Arrangements do have to made for childcare on Teacher work days. As others have mentioned this is probably different in each school. As for the insurance, is it still true that CMS employees who work full-time for a minimum of 5 yrs. are guaranteed their health coverage for life? I know this was one of the "perks" in yrs. past. I actually work with a retired school secretary and she is still covered under the school policy ten years after her retirement. This is a wonderful benefit to have.