Benefits to Framingham Teachers

Every tax is a pay cut. Every tax cut is a pay raise.
Citizens for Limited Taxation

Benefits to Framingham Teachers May 7, 2004

Harold J. Wolfe Metrowest Daily News

While they are negotiating a new contract, the teachers union has decided to "work-to-rule". The contractual rules state that teachers have to be in 15 minutes before school starts and leave 15 minutes after school ends.
For different school types, this makes for a short work day. Elementary schools 6.5 hours, middle schools 6.7 hours, and high schools 7.0 hours. Considering lunch, and breaks between classes, we're talking less than a 6 hour work day. This is in their contract.
According to Dr. Martes, approximately half the teachers get an average step increase of $1700 in accordance to the pay schedule posted on the Framingham school web site http://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/hr/salsched.html This implies that half of the teachers are already at their highest step.
Beyond step increases, teachers expect to get a cost of living adjustment (COLA) which will probably be zero this year. It's all we can afford this year. Better luck next year.
The teachers work only 9 months (180 days) of the year and most will have summer jobs to "help out" with their average $56,000 annual salary. The taxpayers fund 90% of their health insurance and 90% of their retirement package.
Other amenities for teachers include up to $22.5K for tuition reimbursement, accumulating sick leave that can be cashed in on retirement, and a rich assortment of days off.
The October, 2003 issue of Boston magazine ranks Framingham 11th in the Boston metro area on per pupil expenditures.&mbsp; Weston ranks 8th. The Framingham taxpayers are NOT a bottomless money pit. If the teachers really want a pay raise, they'll have to chase more fixed income seniors out of town or cannibalize their own rank and file.

Benefits to Framingham Teachers	May 7, 2004
Harold J. Wolfe	Metrowest Daily News
While they are negotiating a new contract, the teachers union has decided to "work-to-rule". The contractual rules state that teachers have to be in 15 minutes before school starts and leave 15 minutes after school ends. For different school types, this makes for a short work day. Elementary schools 6.5 hours, middle schools 6.7 hours, and high schools 7.0 hours. Considering lunch, and breaks between classes, we're talking less than a 6 hour work day. This is in their contract. According to Dr. Martes, approximately half the teachers get an average step increase of $1700 in accordance to the pay schedule posted on the Framingham school web site http://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/hr/salsched.html This implies that half of the teachers are already at their highest step. Beyond step increases, teachers expect to get a cost of living adjustment (COLA) which will probably be zero this year. It's all we can afford this year. Better luck next year. The teachers work only 9 months (180 days) of the year and most will have summer jobs to "help out" with their average $56,000 annual salary. The taxpayers fund 90% of their health insurance and 90% of their retirement package. Other amenities for teachers include up to $22.5K for tuition reimbursement, accumulating sick leave that can be cashed in on retirement, and a rich assortment of days off. The October, 2003 issue of Boston magazine ranks Framingham 11th in the Boston metro area on per pupil expenditures.&mbsp; Weston ranks 8th. The Framingham taxpayers are NOT a bottomless money pit. If the teachers really want a pay raise, they'll have to chase more fixed income seniors out of town or cannibalize their own rank and file.

Send comments to: hjw2001@gmail.com