Negotiating MA public school teacher salary (layoffs, budget, health)

[intelgal]

Hi all, I have just been offered a position to be a public school teacher in MA. I understand that you usually cannot negotiate public school salary as it is stated on a "schedule" according to your degree and years of teacher. However, I have also heard that you can negotiate if your position if high in demand and they have a hard time finding someone to fill it. How would I go about negotiating for it? Do I wait for the HR department to give me an official offer and talk to them about it?

Any advice and suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you so much.

[smarty]

I have no idea... not a teacher...

Just want to wish you the best... all towns I know are facing budget shortfall. If no overrides, there will be hundreds of teachers being cut next year.

[eslteacher]

You can't really negotiate salary, however if they really want you they may accept more years of experience than is the norm. For example, you have taught seven years in another state but the city will only normally accept three years of outside experience. They might offer you 5 years on the salary scale.
When HR calls they will ask for transcripts and proof of your past experience. I have never had anyone offer to negotiate.

[willdufauve]

At some point, additional experience doesn't really get you anything and you need to jump from a masters or masters+ to a PhD to get a noticeable jump in salary.

A year of experience is only worth about $1,000 to $1,200 (pre-tax, pre-deductions). Colas aren't much with the towns strapped for cash, health benefits are on a downward spiral, and layoffs/larger class sizes are a reality.

Systems stick to the union negotiated schedule.