Senate panel approves bill for teacher pay cuts... (Houston, Dallas: house, layoffs)

[OhNose]

The measure, drafted by Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Education Committee, would authorize certain steps by school boards and superintendents to reduce costs as the state slashes funding over the next two school years. It now goes to the full Senate.

State-funding reductions would average at least 6 percent under a preliminary Senate proposal and more than 11 percent under a budget passed by the House this month. Consultants for school districts estimate that the House version would mean 65,000 employees would lose their jobs.

If jobs are cut, the legislation would also void last-in, first-out policies that lay off newer teachers and protect more experienced teachers with continuing contracts.

The compromise bill was hammered out by Shapiro and Republican Sens. Bob Duncan of Lubbock and Dan Patrick of Houston, and Democratic Sens. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth and Royce West of Dallas.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, was the only committee member to vote against the bill, voicing concerns that districts will lay off more experienced and higher paid teachers to save money.

“What protects those teachers from being shoved out when districts can pick up someone else for less money?” she asked. “I don’t want to dash the hopes of teachers who have put in 15 years in the classroom.”

Senate panel approves bill for teacher pay cuts, furloughs, layoffs | Texas Legislature News - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News

And Texas already comes in near last when it comes to paying it teachers.near last in MANY other statistics (I'm sure we're all well versed in).

So sad, what my state has become.

Keep starving the beast, Perry.
I only wish we could wall off the border of Texas and, at least, serve as an example to the other states.

[getmeoutofhere]

Someone has to pay for Perry's business tax breaks and under-the-table dealings.

[Lee W.]

And don't forget his luxurious rented mansion paid for by taxpayers! I am ashamed of what my state is doing to the children and the teachers!

[TT Dave]

That is a terrible bill! I am a moderate conservative and I'm absolutely angry beyond words with our state legislature and Gov. Goodhair over this education funding mess. They've seen these education budget problems building up for the past several years and they've done nothing about it. Now all they want to do is cut, cut, and cut some more. Education should be the one of the top priorities for state funding IMO. Our state is growing rapidly and we are going to have some of the worst schools in the country if this trend of neglect by our elected officials continues. Our legislators and of course Gov. Goodhair himself have no problem at all wasting millions of tax dollars on many other things that are far less important! I mean, seriously, these students in our public schools will be the next generation of doctors, educators, managers, etc., for many years to come. What these legislators and our governor is doing, or I should say NOT doing is worse than neglect. It's insane!

[rr2005]

I agree we spend a lot of money on things that are infinitely less important than education. I know some teachers who support his bill though, because it will allow the school districts to furlough them or reduce salaries, but let them keep their jobs. Right now, strapped school districts' only option is to lay teachers off. I worry about our schools at the local levels too. Lately, I've seen experienced teachers passed over for a promotion that was ultimately given to a school board member's incompetent spouse, a 1A school laying off teachers, but keeping 6 assistant football coaches on staff, unnecessary positions being created just so that a coach's wife can have a job, etc. I think our education system needs a complete overhaul, from the local school board on up.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by OhNose

If jobs are cut, the legislation would also void last-in, first-out policies that lay off newer teachers and protect more experienced teachers with continuing contracts.

And Texas already comes in near last when it comes to paying it teachers.near last in MANY other statistics (I'm sure we're all well versed in).

So sad, what my state has become.

Keep starving the beast, Perry.
I only wish we could wall off the border of Texas and, at least, serve as an example to the other states.

This is so obviously wrong, because it incentives school districts to keep the lowest paid teachers and get rid of any who have earned higher pay due to their experience.

Why would anyone consider a profession that does this?

Why should any experienced teacher be let go because they have put in the time to learn the profession?

All while we continue to pay for tax incentives to big profit oil companies and General Electric.

[Cathy4017]

Lately, I've seen experienced teachers passed over for a promotion that was ultimately given to a school board member's incompetent spouse, a 1A school laying off teachers, but keeping 6 assistant football coaches on staff, unnecessary positions being created just so that a coach's wife can have a job, etc. I think our education system needs a complete overhaul, from the local school board on up.

I've seen that before, too, and it really STINKS.

[BestintheWest]

Maybe this is the real problem.........

Texas Superintendent Salaries: 2010-11



Texas Superintendent Salaries: 2010-11

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by aliveandwellinSA

Maybe this is the real problem.........

Texas Superintendent Salaries: 2010-11



Texas Superintendent Salaries: 2010-11

Actually, most superintendents make 3-5X the avg teacher salary for their district. The article you posted stated the avg Texas super's salary is $108k- that's about 2.5-3X avg teacher salary. That is NOT outrageous considering the CEO/COO type complexities of the job (understanding school finance, curriculum, technology, facilities, etc). It's about the same relationship the average CEO had to the average US worker in the 1950's, vs 400X+ more today.

Are there some on that list that look bloated? Yes. But to see Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Houston, etc on the top 10 list is not surprising considering those supers manage districts with 100,000-200,000 students and 150-250 schools. If someone is managing a district with a $500,000,000 annual budget, making $350k just doesn't seem that out of line to me.

[getmeoutofhere]

The DISD superintendent making such a salary is ridiculous to me since the district is such a mess. The superintendent of LISD of GCISD, etc., deserves their pay for running a good district.