Central Unified Approves Controversial Salary Increases

This is appalling! These poor teachers, parents and students don't count to our politicians. Whats wrong with our state? They don't listen! My wife is a secretary employed by this state and NOT highly paid. Her position was eliminated and forced to take a demotion, but expected to perform the same duties. now they informed her of an additional 4.62% pay cut. We have lost our home. We are one of the lucky ones. They're are countless state, county, and city workers much worse off than us. I would like to see more stories on the states "crack down" on families in this "great state of California". Is 47 on our side (?).

Sounds like you're missing a lot. Mr. Berg and assists are the top of the broccoli? That means we're the stems that hold the broccoli. If you don't respect teachers- homeschool your children so they can perform better. How do you know I don't attend board meetings? I've actually taken my children with me- in fact. I fail to see how it provided any sort of education for them, however. We teachers voted and are paying for the union president from our own salaries- in union dues. Who did you think was covering the cost? What them living outside our district has to with this is that THEY dont' contribute taxes to our district. The teachers living away contribute in supplies and personal time. What makes you think my children don't see how hard I work? They see mommy grading work, preparing lesson plans, and shop for supplies with me. Millions spent on supplies and I along with others received $0? Did you read my comment carefully? Many of us purchase our own supplies because they aren't provided for our students... and I provide them for my own children as well, without resentment because I appreciate the people who teach. Teachers at the board meeting weren't asking for themselves, they were asking for our children. I don't care to be paid on merit, nor am I requesting a raise. I do want tenure, as there are ungrateful parents and administrators who don't appreciate our dedication and would do almost anything to see us lose our jobs without remorse. BTW... these 2 1/2 months are not truly off, we are planning and preparing for a new school year.

WOW!! Ophelia! Sounds like I missed the 25% of "dedicated" teachers pool! Good to hear you have a profession that you love, our children's future. Let me put it this way, if you cut the top of the head of broccoli of , what happens? The bottom slowly deteriorates and dies. Maybe we should have a drawing for " be the boss for a day" and experience exactly what our bosses are doing in the course of a day. I know a day wouldn't quite grasp the full picture but maybe some insight.I know I would jump at the chance. I'm curious as to how is the teachers union helps their members? Ive heard through the grapevine that one of your members is being paid a full years salary and taking that time off. Who pays for that? You? Is all the political campaign money donated by the teachers union match up to maybe money that can be supplied to you teachers for those extra pencils you need? $21,000,000.00 was shown on a tax return for the 2009 year. And if we elect to go by merit pay as opposed to tenure, then you as a great teacher wouldn't have anything to worry about. And as for the superintendent and assistants living in the district, I don't understand what that has to do with their performance? I know plenty of teachers that that do not reside in the district which also has nothing to do with their performance either. These parents and teachers who act like they were blind sided by this, are wrong. The agenda is posted at the dist office and the website for all to view weeks ago regarding this salary increase. By the way, you can bring your children to a board meeting if daycare is not available to you. It also will further educate you children on how hard mommy and daddy work at being a teacher! Maybe within these 2 1/2 months off of work, you'll be able to attend a meeting and get your answers or concerns met.

Consider this then, not everyone can afford to live on one salary and some teachers are single parents. Don't donate if it doesn't come from your heart, no matter how large the lists are. If you have mixed feelings, ask Mr. Berg how much he or his assistants are willing to donate. I've spent thousands over the years on my own classes and I also donate to my daughter's teachers- right now she's in highschool so she has 8 of them, and they never request anything. And my little one will start kinder, I will fill every item on his request list- although the district warned teachers not to request anything- who do you think will supply classrooms then? This past school year I recieved $0 from the district, but during state testing I recieved 5 pencils for a class of 33 students. Things that make you go HUMMM? Shameful is so accurate. I'm sorry that you've never met a teacher like me who loves and appreciates children- I work with over 20 of those teachers. I've had perfect attendance many years, except for when I've gone on maternity leave or my own children are ill. My students perform extraordinarily well and I will leave as soon as my contractual time says I can because my children deserve to have a mother when they come home from school too. Central leaders have just demonstrated they don't appreciate me anyway. And how did you bring back PE? I've been doing PE with my students for over 17 years... I wasn't aware that anyone fought to "put it back into the curriculum." And by the way- I think our supt. and assistants live in Clovis- WE, the Central Community are paying for those sweet raises :)

Yes I do consider that BUT I too am an employee with the district but waited until my 3 children were of age where I did not need a babysitter or daycare to watch them. My family does not live lavishly for this reason so as one parent can work full-time and the other around their children's schedules. I think accountability needs to be addressed here. If your a productive teacher then your job is secure, if not, then some changes in your career as an educator should be evaluated. I mean , I fought just to get physical education put back in the curriculum. There's more here than what you've heard and seen via the tv and Facebook. Drop in at a board meeting once in awhile.

Have you ever thought that your child's teacher is a mom or dad too. They may have to leave to go pick up there own children from school, or take them to the doctor, or watch them play sports. You do not realize how much teachers take home and put family time aside to finish grading or doing projects at home. I agree with you about the supplies. Teachers shouldn't have to ask for supplies. The school district should supply it all. When teachers are told there is no more glue or paper, then what?

I have mixed feelings. I would defend our teachers if I met one that appreciated our children and their job by showing up everyday as my child does. And holding their principals accountable for why they don't have their proper supplies. Every year I donate money and supplies to my childrens classrooms and seems like the list is getting longer. Hard to defend a teacher when their hittin the parking lot right before my child refs there and peeling out after class ends!

One Word, SHAMEFUL!