Speech Language Pathologist in Frederick Maryland (Walkersville: relocating, homes, rent)

[carolina_guy]

Hi,
I am Carolina Guy's wife, I have 4 years of experience as a Speech Language Pathologist. Most of my experience is with pediatrics, however I do have geriatric and adult experience.
It seems as though we will be relocating to the Frederick area.. Any suggestions as to places to stay away from or to apply to?

Many Thanks in advance!

[trying2moveup]

Hi- saw your other post about Dearbought as well. DOn't know much about that except that it is to the northeast of Frederick city, but within city limits so you will pay Frederick city taxes (high). It is off of Rt. 26, off of Rt. 15 north, on the way to Walkersville. There is quite a bit of commercial traffic around there - a WalMart, Starbucks, Panera, Giant grocery store, Cold Stone Creamery (these are all in the Monocacy Crossing shopping center). I have heard they are going to build a Wegmans there as well but I think that is still in the pipeline.

As far as jobs, you can apply to Frederick county public schools (www.fcps.org). Or you could apply north in Adams County, Pa. or south in Montgomery County, Md. Both of those areas pay more than Frederick County. I am a special ed. teacher in Montgomery County (currently on childcare leave) and I would have had to take a 15K+ cut to work near my home in Frederick. Sad, but commuting is a way of life around here, which is something you have to get your mind around -- traffic congestion is horrible pretty much from DC up to the PA line. If you can work near where you live, do it. I think you could find something - there are alot of medical/residential places around here. Check out the want ads in the Frederick News Post (The Frederick News-Post Online - Frederick County Maryland Daily Newspaper).

PM me if you want to discuss townhomes for sale in the area.

[carolina_guy]

Thanks for the info for my wife, who we'll call CGW (Carolina Guy's Wife ). Regarding the differences in salaries among the counties, does that apply to the public school system or all SLP jobs including hospitals?

You mentioned Adams County, what areas would you suggest?

I will be working at Ft. Detrick, and we have several different places in mind to live and we're not sure if we will buy or rent first. It will really just depend on the price we get and how nice the home is.

And about the traffic--we live in Charlotte now and we're used to that. We certainly don't want to spend over an hour commuting, but I've done 30-45 minutes. Traffic isn't the best down here either, especially around shopping areas, so that kind of congestion isn't a concern.

[trying2moveup]

public schools are obviously taxpayer funded and you can find their salary information by years of experience/step level on their websites. Hospitals - that would be under private domain and I have no idea what they pay. It may be competitive with public schools if they are desperate enough to find good SLPs. everything's negotiable in the private sector; forget about it with public schools - that is all negoiated through bargaining agreements up here so you have no wiggle room.

Adams county - Maryland public schools are organized by county; Pa schools are organized by district within the county or "township." Gettysburg is in Adams county, I think York is too. The thing about Pa is they have competitive salaries and their retirement system is EXCELLENT!!! Not many people leave once they are in there. this is not in Adams county, but near Reading/Philly, Pa area - my cousin, who is retiring next year as a math teacher, will get 90% of his top three years and full medical. since they are districts up there, and because they can strike in PA and not in MD (there is a law in Md that prevents teachers from striking and therefore they are represented by "associations" that are affiliates of the NEA union), they are able to get very, very good benefits and retirement.

In Md., expect to get like something very miserable like 14% of your top 3 years and expect to pay for all your health insurance.

These are things to think about if you are planning on staying in this area. I wish I had thought about it when I started my teaching career but when you are young, you rarely think of retirement 30 years later!