No valid reason to raise property taxes in Fairfax Cty. anymore.... (Reston: unemployed, schools)

[Yankeesfan]

No, you missed my point, which is that while some segments of the private sector see those large bonuses, % increases, and growing 401K values that you referred to, most do not. And many people would appreciate the stability, job security, and pensions that teachers have in all but the worst of times. Normally even in a downturn staff reductions are handled primarily by attrition rather than layoffs. I agree that it's tough for teachers right now but it's even tougher for a lot of people out there.

[wingerr8]

Originally Posted by Yankeesfan

No, you missed my point, which is that while some segments of the private sector see those large bonuses, % increases, and growing 401K values that you referred to, most do not. And many people would appreciate the stability, job security, and pensions that teachers have in all but the worst of times. Normally even in a downturn staff reductions are handled primarily by attrition rather than layoffs. I agree that it's tough for teachers right now but it's even tougher for a lot of people out there.

Doesn't hurt to get spring break, winter break, summer, and all holidays off either.

[adolpho]

generous sick/personal leave and don't forget maternity.............

[Guamanians]

The problem is that the higher wages get taxed more. So everyone has a legitimate gripe. the unemployed are obviously hurting, and likewise the underemployed. Then you have the underpaid workers. Then you have the "fat cats" whom everyone else envy's yet also hates. This system of taking from the rich and giving to the poor doesn't work!

[Denton56]

Originally Posted by car54

You should have listened more closely to your teachers...11 weeks is not a third of a year. Not even close.

You forgot to add in the week at Christmas, and the week at Easter. That's 13 weeks a year off. So you are right, they work 3/4 time.

[adolpho]

Mr. Denton, I am sure Easter and Christmas are prohibitted words in FCPS. Ramadan and Rosh Hashhana are perfectly acceptable, though.

[Denton56]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

I understand that, and believe me I sympathize. My point is, when times are good, school staffs are expected to accept less and be ok with it. Minimal COLAs at best (2, maybe 3%). When times aren't so good, they still had not dare ask for anything?

Oh, so school staffs are supposed to be like everyone else. Didn't Obama propose 1% for federal workers? have they ever received more than 2 or 3%? 17% of people in the US are unemployed.

[Denton56]

[quote=adolpho;13354680]Mr. Denton, I am sure Easter and Christmas are prohibitted words in FCPS. Ramadan and Rosh Hashhana are perfectly acceptable, though.[/quot

Oh my gosh, what was I thinking?! Rep points for you!

When my kids were in school they sang the Dradel song every single year but were forbidden to sing Jingle Bells!

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by Yankeesfan

No, you missed my point, which is that while some segments of the private sector see those large bonuses, % increases, and growing 401K values that you referred to, most do not. And many people would appreciate the stability, job security, and pensions that teachers have in all but the worst of times. Normally even in a downturn staff reductions are handled primarily by attrition rather than layoffs. I agree that it's tough for teachers right now but it's even tougher for a lot of people out there.

Here is my point put another way. Pay freezes and cuts would be easier to accept if, when FCPS was busy expanding programs, some of that money would have gone to respectable pay raises, but they didn't. When Fairfax County employees were receiving twice the raises as school employees, the public and the members of the Board of Supervisors could have cared less. When teachers pointed this out, we still heard the "be happy you have a job and are getting what you are getting" attitude. Now that times are bad, the tune changes to "what's good for the goose is good for the gander." Pay freezes would be easier to accept if the current school board would first cut a lot of the bloat that the system currently has, but they won't. In good times and bad, it is the salaries that take the hit. Always.

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by Denton56

You forgot to add in the week at Christmas, and the week at Easter. That's 13 weeks a year off. So you are right, they work 3/4 time.

I would be ok with adding 15 student days to the calendar. Let's go with 20 just to add an even month. A teacher on step 10 with a MA would go from about $61k to about $67k, but the county wouldn't be able to afford that either.