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CAT Tracks for August 17, 2009
SPECIAL EDITION |
Probably our one and only "hard copy" edition of CAT Tracks for the 2009-2010 School Year...was hand-delivered to members this morning (along with a copy of the "new" CBA covering the 2008-2011 School Years.)
The attachments referenced below will not appear in this online version.
Have you ever seen a green CAT?
If not...then you've been "getting out" entirely too much. You need to stay in, sit down at the computer and type the following address into your browser...
Bookmark it...add it to your favorites...then you won't find yourself asking your more informed colleagues..."How do you know all this stuff?"
With the rare exception of this "back-to-school" special edition, you will NOT find CAT Tracks in your school mailbox...and don't even think about the U.S. Mail. You can find it in your e-mail box...IF you sign up at our website.
No, CAT "went green" back in 2002...when "extenuating circumstances" caused the "launch" of our previously obscure website. With all due modesty, CAT Tracks is now read near and far...coast to coast...even outside the United States. The wonders of the Internet...
This year shall be no different...
Contrary to what Kermit may say...it's much easier (and cheaper) being green!
That said...
Since this is a new year, with new teachers, and a new address, it seemed appropriate to deliver a "hard copy" as an introduction/reminder.
And, the questions have already begun...
Curious CATs are already inquiring...when do we get our new contracts, and, more to the point...how do we know what we get paid this year???
Answers...
You will receive a copy of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) this morning. You would have received them (as promised) last Friday, but due to circumstances beyond our control...
When you get your contract, do not bother looking at the salary schedule...it will NOT tell you what you should expect to receive in your first pay check on September 15th. The attached "old editions" of CAT Tracks will explain why. (June 4th and June 8th)
Not to worry...
Included in this "Special Edition" is a copy of last year's salary schedule (which you never received due to the extended negotiations period). Also attached is the "taxable salary schedule" for the 2009-2010 School Year...the one "banned" from the CBA. THIS is the one that shows the amount of your "gross pay"...taxable pay before deductions...for federal tax, state tax, your share of health insurance premiums, etc.
This schedule is attached as the "last page" so that you can easily remove it and keep it for reference.
Find where you fall on the salary schedule. Again - as explained in the June 4, 2009 edition of CAT Tracks - if this is your first year of teaching, you are at Step 1. If this is your 16th year of teaching, you are at Step 16. Take THAT number and divide by 24...the number of paychecks in a school year. THAT is the number that you should see on your September 15th check as the "starting point"...the aforementioned "Gross Pay". After subtracting your various deductions, you will arrive at your "take-home pay".
Bottom line: If you were a teacher is CSD #1 last year, you will make $1510 more this year than you did last year (if you were in the BS or BS+16 lanes.) If you were in the MS or MS+16 lanes, you will make $1650 more this year than last. If you were not a teacher in CSD #1 last year, well...what you see is what you get!
That's it!
We sincerely hope that everyone has a GREAT YEAR!!!
See you on the Internet...
