So one of the common themes you will hear during the election process is let's have a sense of fiscal responsibility.  But what does that mean?  They will want to make you believe the district is wasting money at every turn.  That the district has tons of cash laying around but it is wasted on cupcakes at meetings and high contracts to administration.

So where do we start?  Well, first it's important to remember that the vast majority of the money is spent on salaries of teachers.  How much, nearly 85% on salaries and benefits (like health insurance, etc.).  So just saying we need to be more "responsible" and cut doesn't exactly work.  Cuts in many cases equals people.  But are all people needed?  Well, that is what needs to be determined.  So where does the "extra" money go?  Well don't forget about the team of people needed to coordinate the test schedule but more on that later.

So a little history on how teachers are paid.  Everything is done as part of the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement).  The teachers union and district get together and try to determine what is a good wage for teachers.  That system is based on steps and lanes.

[side note - unions]

So before you immediately complain that unions are the evil of all problems in the district lets take a peek at a couple of stats.  First, numerous studies have found that districts that pay employees with union negotiated CBA's score 2.5 to 3.3% on achievement tests.  The flip side is that these districts are more expensive to run and have less individualized teacher/student time.  More on this later but before we get all hotty about unions and thing I'm in their pocket.

[end that side note]

So what can we do to become more fiscally responsible in terms of salary since that is where the vast majority of money is going.

First, we need to get some changes at the federal/state level.  If you are going to mandate we test these kids 50 times a year and its going to require use to hire three people full time to run test scores, manage the test process - then you better pay for it.  You cannot mandate it and then ignore the financial cost behind it.  So either we get rid of the mandates or pay for them by those mandating them.  Simple as that.

Second, its time to look at the step/lane system and find a new solution.  The problem with what we have is there no reward for new teachers.  Those with the most energy to bring are those who cannot be rewarded.  We give bonuses to the Superintendent, Principals and Executive Directors - why not the teacher who is there on the day-to-day basis.

Third, fix health insurance.  There is a problem today and it needs to be fixed.  I don't care what you think your fix is but she's broken.  When I left the district the family plan was $900 out of pocket per month and that was after the district put their $550 per month.  Today that number is well over $1300 for an employee.  The district is spending a ton of money on health insurance - fix it one way or another.  The state is looking at pooling all of the teachers together into one big program so they can drive down premiums by bulk purchase.  If this is the best solutions - which is the best I've heard so far - then do it.

Well - next post is in-depth about testing and why we need to get rid of them.