So we are a few days later from the sit-in and while reading back my first post I did find that I made an assumption that wouldn't be true in the math.  I was comparing the first year salary from 05 to 09 as a static.  But a new teacher starting in 2005 would be on Step 4 this year making a salary of $37,659 per year.

So the increase in salary is actually 17.14% over the five year span.  From $32,150 in year 1 to $37,659 this year.  (This assumes the teacher survived any potential cuts of course.)

So does a 17% raise over the 5 year period or about 3.4% each year make sense given the economic climate we currently have?  I'm pretty sure I know what everyone's answer would be on that one.

As I write this the RFT is getting ready to conduct basically what I consider a sit in.  They plan to march into the board meeting, sit there from 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM ish and then leave all together in what is considered a sign of unity about their labor contract.  So let's examine what the teachers have to complain about.

A teacher who is new to the district is set to make a salary of 33k a year.  In year 6 they will break the 40k mark and in year 25 they can break 60k.  If they have their masters degree, then the process is sped up considerably with year 3 hitting 40k and year 10 hitting 60k.

Many districts in the area are offering a 0% increase to the step/lane process with some districts (Forest Lake) getting the teachers to sign a contract that freezes all teachers (not administration in Forest Lake by the way - kinda strange on that one) to the same step and lane they currently are sitting at for the next two years.  So what is the history of the process salary increases?

The teachers are currently working without a contract.  The district has until Jan 15th of 2010 to get a deal done before they get hit with a daily penalty of $35/kid.  This deadline by state collective bargaining law is often pushed back when the legislature starts the new year.  Considering schools were unallocated 2 billion dollars this year I would guess the governor would be willing to sign such legislation again this year.

So the July 2007- June 2009 contract is done.  In that contract year teachers got a 2.0% and 2.5% raise.  The previous contract of July 2005- June 2007 was a 0% and 0% raise.  There has been movement on health care program.  In 2005 the district paid $550.00 per month for health insurance.  This year that number is currently at $650.00 per month.   A single teacher will pay anywhere from 403.00 to 879.00 per month for health insurance (depending on plan) to $1126.00 to 2346.00 for family.

So a new teacher in 2005 was making $32,150 per year.  Over the past 5 years they have seen 4.6% increase in salary with a cost of living increase of 9.6% over the same time frame.  So are the teachers right for their "sit in".  I could see the argument of fix heath insurance if you aren't going to give us a raise.  A family of 4 choosing the absolutely worst health coverage is going to spend some $500.00 per month for expenses.  What could the teachers do?  Get on the QComp program.  There is money to be had from the governors office.  Get a plan and vote for it this time.  Remember, the teachers rejected a QComp plan some two years ago.