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question: Do Chapel Hill teachers make the same as other state teachers ? Since it is separate in many ways and touted as the best school system in the area I would think they make more. And since our taxes are so high, does that premium go to the teachers or to the schools at all?
I'm not sure this fully answers your question, but start with the state salary schedule:
I don't know where in NJ you live, but let's see what my wife (9-year teacher with Masters and National Boards) would get paid in NJ:
If I go here and plug in Morris county, which IIRC is a pretty affluent county, a 9-year K-5 teacher with a Masters gets paid $54K - $60K. Also, in Morris county, there is only a $1K salary bonus (http://www.nbsupportnetwork.org/district_incentives.html - broken link) for getting National Boards. So, let's call it $55 - $61K with Masters and National Boards.
In Durham, a 9-year teacher with a Masters and National Boards gets paid $47,050 + 12.5% county supplement, or $52,875.
So, she could get paid $1 - $8K more a year to work in Morristown. Somehow, I don't think that would cut it. Pretty expensive there.
Benefits are probably a different story, but we both have our own health insurance so I'm not on the state plan. Haven't had a problem with benefits.
So, basically, if you go all out and get your Masters and National Boards, you can do pretty well in NC compared to an expensive county in NJ (unless I'm missing something).
This one does seem to confuse people up north, but it's quite simple really: We don't have "school districts." School systems are county based, with only one or two exceptions (like Chapel Hill). It's not that hard.
Very well said!!!! I owe you rep points... must spread the love first.
Personally I find it confussing how Northern School districts are allowed to segregate all the wealthy kids into small well funded districts and then stick the kids from lower socio-economic backgrounds into underfunded schools and THINK that their state is superior in terms of education.
Hmmm, not sure where you get your info...most local governments and school districts here in NY are small because people believe in local govt being really local! What is best for my village might not apply to the next village over, etc. It is taking time but now some small municipalities are merging to save on services (finally!) As for schools, we have what is called Boards of Cooperative Educational Services that provide additional support/resources to small districts. For example, my small district doesn't have to run an auto shop program, we send those students to BOCES. It might look different, but the reality is very similar to large districts.
To mitigate the differences from community to community, the state of NY has a state aid ratio. If the economic profile of your district is high, you get less aid than a neighboring district that serves lower income students. Pretty simple, really.
Please don't tar all Northern Districts with the same brush.
Personally I find it confussing how Northern School districts are allowed to segregate all the wealthy kids into small well funded districts and then stick the kids from lower socio-economic backgrounds into underfunded schools and THINK that their state is superior in terms of education.
I am a NY State certified teacher and I taught there for several years before relocating to NC for graduate school. I don't know what this segregation is that you speak of. Maybe other states are different, but in NY, we attended whatever school was in our base area. My high school, and those I taught at, had a diversity of incomes and socio-economic backgrounds. I haven't been back in a while, so maybe things have changed. I do remember many parents wanting their children to attend "better" schools, but without proof of residency in that area, it wasn't allowed.
As has been said many times, please don't anyone relocate to any state without first securing a job. Having a teaching license does not guarantee you anything.
I also wanted to say that I contacted WCPSS about teaching there and received a call from
Jennifer Ouellette
Beginning Teacher Support Program Coordinating Teacher
Office of Recruitment and Retention
Wake County Public Schools
919-854-1692
919-854-1718 (fax)
We had a lovely chat and she was very friendly and supportive. I would call her with any questions you have. I am going back down to NC the next time they have a Job Fair, I have heard that is the best way to secure a postion for the next year.
Personally, I'm looking forward to being in a non-union environment and a lower tax world. The salaries in NC are virtually identical to what I've been getting here. Can't say about the benefits.
In response to Capt Chill--according to wcpss.net where all salaries are posted:
30 years masters=$66,000
30 years board certified= $74,000
Yes they did take back .5% and it hurt. However in up north they just continue to raise taxes so the .5% is lower than having your taxes raised yearly by $600-$800 and often higher. In addition the cost of living in NC overall is much less than up north. therefore, anyone considering moving, whether it's NC or elsewhere, has to make that judgement for themselves. You will obviously get paid less, but housing and taxes are significantly less down here.
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