Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for June 4, 2009 STEPPING OUT...

Actually, out with "STEP 0" of the salary schedule...

DO NOT PANIC!!!

It's not what it seems...

We fought a long, hard battle to preserve the distinction between "brand new teachers" with NO EXPERIENCE and "slightly used teachers" with one year of experience. As you will recall, the BOE wanted to pay BOTH the same amount of money in an attempt to artificially boost beginning teacher salaries without raising all others.

Well, THAT concept went over like the proverbial lead balloon with teachers "who had paid their dues" by serving their time at the "0 Step".

Rest assured...THAT will NOT happen!

However, now that the dust has settled...

The District's payroll software (yeah, you can hear it coming can't you...the computer did it!), well, the District's payroll software has a problem...it does not allow for a "Step 0"...will only recognize a salary schedule that begins with "Step 1". Payroll department personnel are forced to do a lot of "by hand" work...work that increases the possibility of errors.

Any of you who have dealt with "computer support" in the outside world know that they are NOT very receptive to "solving software problems". Their initial reaction is usually to tell you that it's YOUR FAULT. If you are able to clear THAT hurdle, then it's usually some software glitch on their "to do" list...an item that they most likely will never fix.

Well, CAT is always receptive to any proposal that will "make life simple" or "reduce the work load" of a fellow employee...especially if it is of no detriment to CAT members.

Therefore...

Beginning with the 2008-09 School Year...(yes, when you receive your "new contract" in August it will include the salary schedule for the just completed school year, along with 2009-10 and 2010-11.) Anyway, the salary schedule will be missing "STEP 0"...beginning with "STEP 1". The salary schedules will "max out" at "STEP 29" instead of "STEP 28".

Ooooh...did we get another step raise???

I will consider that one of those "rhetorical questions"...the ones for which an answer is NOT expected/required.

Nope...not a dime's bit of difference. You still got ONE STEP + $605 for 2008-09...you're still going get ONE STEP + $690 for 2009-10.

Actually, in the past, I have heard teachers complain...

...well, now, isn't THAT the understatement of the year!!!

More specifically, in the past, teachers have complained about the numbering system used for the salary schedule...how it lags behind a year. That if you are a first-year teacher, you get paid at "STEP 0". That if you are in your 16th year of teaching, you get paid at "STEP 15".

Well, under the new numbering system, that "complaint" should disappear!

Beginning with the newly published contract, if you are a "brand newbie"...teaching for your 1st year...and you want to know what you are being paid, you will simply look at the salary schedule, look at "STEP 1"...BINGO! If this is your 16th year of teaching, you will look at "STEP 16".

Oh, the "moldy oldie" teachers amongst us may "gritch and bowl"...but, hey, that's what they do. In a few short years, they will be roaming the pastures of paradise with Penny and Velma and Regina...and me. They won't give a darn about salary schedules...

So, suck it up...this too shall pass!