Trouble in paradise. Herds of teachers in the parking lots before classes dressed in black with their buttons on.
This is apparently part of the Union negotiating tactics, “Black Monday” a pre-planned show of solidarity with their negotiating team or it was some kind of Ninja day, or a Johnny Cash tribute.
The School Board and administration is unable to comment on specific items due to legal restrictions of the Federal Mediation process. The head of the teacher’s union had no comment about the black and the buttons, but referred my questions to this Advocate story.
Additionally, here is link to an Advocate article from a year ago which outlines salaries in the county here.
Here is a state wide comparison. This seems to be the most complete listing. Decide for yourself. It seems to be a complicated problem, some districts get more money per pupil, some excellent districts pay more, some less.
Black-dressed teachers out again, but there didn’t seem to be as many.
I understand the vote is on thursday. It would be great to have the parents stand in the parking lots dressed in black, urging the school board and the teachers to settle this.
Also maybe a week where no-one volunteers to help the teachers in their daily work, no “making copies,” no treats, no kissing their butts. Maybe they’d see how good they have it in Aurora.
Someone needs to giove these teachers a reality check.
I DON”T KNOW ANYONE IN THIS ECONOMY GETTING A RAISE (OTHER THAN A BUNCH OF AURORA POLITICIANS that voted to give themselves a raise)
Working in Aurora is a PRIVELEGE and the teachers are lucky to be employed here. There would be a line of a thousand people that would gladly take over at the current pay.
There is even no standard of living increase for social security.
My advice to the aurora teachers is to educate themselves about the current economy and job market.
I am sick and tired of unions getting people paid more than what they deserve. There are a lot of teachers and principals just sitting on their cushy aging and ever widening bottoms not doing anything different. Hit acorn up for the money beacuse this working mom’s family is not paying anymore!
Teacher\’s need the money to further their education in order to educate our children. It\’s not like they are only baby sitters. The great impact on my children and extra effort they give children everyday is amazing. They should be payed more than the city workers, who drive around all day pissing gas away! My job doesn\’t afford me a car or hour long breaks. I wish I could give myself a raise doesn\’t everyone! And my boss would say good one Nancy. Aurora is not a high paying school district, that is why teachers are going to other districts!
Why the heck is a “Respect Aurora Teachers” slogan written on the blackboard in a third grade classroom????
Who are the teachers trying to convince? Seems kinda passive/aggressive to me.
And the same or similar messages in other classrooms!
Aurora is NOT a high paying school district? I beg to differ. According to the ‘statewide comparison’ link posted in the original article, I found the following data for teachers’ salaries for the 2008/2009 school year:
Bachelor’s degree at entry level:
Solon: $41,238
Aurora: $37,689
Kenston: $36,402
Stow-Munroe: $34,629
Crestwood: $30,778
Master’s degree at entry level:
Solon: $44,793
Aurora: $43,342
Kenston: $40,406
Stow-Munroe: $37,642
Crestwood: $34,348
I could not find data for other neighboring school districts such as Streetsboro, Hudson, Twinsburg, Kent, Chagrin Falls, Orange, or Beachwood. I found it interesting that Kenston schools salaries were lower than Aurora’s.
I love our teachers and totally respect their position. I do, however, agree that they need a reality check. Our family had to take a 10% pay cut last year and all contributions were halted to our 401K retirement plan. We have had to make adjustments while prices on everything have gone up. Meanwhile we have seen a lot of our friends loose their jobs and struggle to find an new one. We are all hurting even us rich folks in Aurora. Do the teachers not see these things in our community? I guess they think we are all getting pay increases and large bonuses. Reality Check is in order. Wake up Aurora Teachers. I love you but I can not afford any more taxes while my income is decreasing.
My raise is based on my performance…not the fact that my company could afford to pay me more..they could pay me more and they don’t. I haven’t had a raise in 2 years. There is no cost of living increase. I don’t have a retirement plan other than my shrinking 401K. My healthcare is now a lousy Aetna 80/20 plan with a high deductible. There is no such thing as tenure here…the ones here the longest are the next to get axed.
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
I also think we need some term limits in city government and get some people with BUSINESS EXPERIENCE to generate some income an eliminate wasteful spending
Regarding the comment about term limits – you already have that. Don’t re-elect those that aren’t doing their job. Term limits are part of the problem in the state government – everyone is too worried about lining up their next job instead of worrying about the business of the state.
I for one would love to hear what the real issues are concerning the teachers’ negotiations. The coverage on that has been lacking. If the district is having money issues, why give raises to anyone? Communication is a wonderful thing and unfortunately, our district does a terrible job of it.
If you are interested, the financial report and Five-Year Forecast is linked on the School Board Meeting Recap posting at the main page
FYI, I tried the link to the 5 year forecast and it’s not working.
it works now. thank you for telling me
The teachers won’t strike until the football team is out of the playoffs and the marching band is done for the year!
The teachers might be worth more but who isn’t in their own mind.
If they get this raise we’ll be paying for it in a couple years, so i say no. Smell the coffe.
And why should teacher kids get free tuition to Aurora anyway? Grandfather in the current kids and cut out the perk.
and pass on this website to others so the community can see what is happening and discuss it
Our household income has gone down due to the economic slow down. As a small business owner I am concerened about expiration of the Bush tax cuts and Health Care reform… further eating away at our income.
I am sure Aurora is going to see less income over the next 4 years so where is the money for the raises going to come from ” Obama money?”
So is this contract settled? The teachers haven’t been out in the parking lots and the signs in the classrooms are removed.
According to Auroraadvocate.com the teachers and school board ratified a two-year agreement.
http://www.auroraadvocate.com/news/article/4714363