How 4,000 DISD teachers may lose their jobs (TX Budget Crisis) (Dallas: rent, insurance)

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

A problem is that seniority or other factors may determine cuts rather than merit/effectiveness. I've met a lot of wonderful young teachers who are full of enthusiasm, drive and determination in the last few years. I would hate to see them go because of LIFO.

They will be. My best friend is a 4th year teacher in Plano and has been promoted to team leader of her grade next year...."if she's still there" (her principal's exact words).

She is such an awesome & enthusiastic young teacher in a school with a lot of behavioral & learning problems. She has chosen to stay there 3 times vs taking an easier job at another Plano school.

It sucks that some grumpy old teacher will keep her job due to seniority and my friend could get cut.

[pepper131]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

A problem is that seniority or other factors may determine cuts rather than merit/effectiveness. I've met a lot of wonderful young teachers who are full of enthusiasm, drive and determination in the last few years. I would hate to see them go because of LIFO.

The most ineffective teachers my kids have are the ones who the most seniority and highest salaries. Often their salary is almost double of younger teachers who can connect and motivate students - they actually go the extra mileage to ensure students are getting what they need. While the "senior" teachers are droning out the curriculm and not connecting with students. Now...not all senior teachers are doing this, but off hand, I can count 5 from my kids' schools.

[momof2dfw]

I know of a couple of teachers and principals in the district that are WAY PAST retirement age (as well as some in administration). Some have been hanging on for a long time and really have not retired because they basically have nothing else in their lives going on at all. A few of these really do not offer anything of any substance to enhance the schools they are at and are basically just a fixture. I'm wondering if the districts are going to first come in and try and get these people to retire and THEN see where things stand.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by pepper131

The most ineffective teachers my kids have are the ones who the most seniority and highest salaries. Often their salary is almost double of younger teachers who can connect and motivate students - they actually go the extra mileage to ensure students are getting what they need. While the "senior" teachers are droning out the curriculm and not connecting with students. Now...not all senior teachers are doing this, but off hand, I can count 5 from my kids' schools.

We have had both. My kids have had older teachers that were TOTALLY AWESOME, expected a lot out of their students and really pushed them and challenged them. Then there have been some that should have retired DECADES ago. I've also seen a few young new teachers that were "lost" in the classroom and really could not motivate a pencil.

[Wonderful Jellal]

It's better than tax increases

[pepper131]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

I know of a couple of teachers and principals in the district that are WAY PAST retirement age (as well as some in administration). Some have been hanging on for a long time and really have not retired because they basically have nothing else in their lives going on at all. A few of these really do not offer anything of any substance to enhance the schools they are at and are basically just a fixture. I'm wondering if the districts are going to first come in and try and get these people to retire and THEN see where things stand.

I really hope so. My HS son brought home his schedule for next year and I questioned why he wasn't taking two important classes (not necessary for graduation; just educational advancement). He explained the teachers for those two classes were the finest examples of a "senior" teacher who lacks motivation and connection.

[loves2read]

the people who are hanging on and working past retirement just might need the money--
they might have children in college or other people who depend on them--
they might also be trying to max out their pension benefit after retiring--and they could just love teaching--
individuals mean just that--separate reasons for different people...

I don't think it is fair to make a generic decision about experienced teachers are bad and newer teachers are good--
in my experience as teacher it was often the other way around--new hires were not really prepared for the amount of time and effort it took to be a good teacher--
we had some new hires that barely made it through the first year--and some who should not have been offered a contract to come back--
and yes--there are some teachers who are just not that effective--
that base it on performance--and not tenure--
ALL teachers in TX teach on a one-year contract--
most of the time people past 3 yrs can put more faith in being offered a contract but there is no union negotiations here

Dallas has run amuck for years with poor judgement and cost overruns--and Hinojosa is not doing anyone a service by laying down a "rule" like his staffing guideline when that is probably not very practical or in the best interests of students...

and yes--the level of attrition should be spread out and frankly the admin side in Dallas ISD is WAY over what is probably necessary to run this district--but I imagine teachers will be let go in disproportionate numbers--because the admin protects the admin above all...

AND what about our legislators and Governor--what are they giving up???
nothing that I have read/heard about specifically
think the governor could give up 1 of his 2 chefs?
think they would vote themselves at least a 10% pay cut???

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by Wonderful Jellal

It's better than tax increases

I hope you are kidding. I would glaly pay higher taxes than see 1/3 of all teachers in TX be laid off, class sizes swell, and arts & athletics eliminated.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by Wonderful Jellal

It's better than tax increases

UH, hate to tell you but we are going to see tax increases if this massive of a lay off happens across the state. We are going to see unemployment rates unlike we have ever seen before. Those without health insurance are going to be using the public hospitals that are supported by our tax dollars. There will be less people paying taxes in due to no jobs and they may lose their homes which means the values go down in the entire area, property taxes may have to increase to cover the drop in values. City services could be even more drastically cut due to lower taxes coming in from property taxes. This is going to effect a LOT MORE than just the teachers that lose their jobs. We ALL are going to fill the tidal wave this is going to create.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

I hope you are kidding. I would glaly pay higher taxes than see 1/3 of all teachers in TX be laid off, class sizes swell, and arts & athletics eliminated.

ME TOO! Paying a little more in taxes to avoid such a massive layoff is going to SAVE US MONEY in the long run.

A lot of people really are not thinking this entire situation thru.