Don't Let the Powerful, Politically-connected Teachers' Unions Bully You Into Submission or Use Your Kids as Props for Union Demands; Your Property Taxes / a Portion of Your Rent Pay Their Generous Salaries & Benefits

The Powerful, Politically-Connected Teachers' Unions

On February 3, 2011, on the Blaine Young Show on WFMD in Frederick County, Maryland, a public school teacher with 26 years on the job, and making $86,000 per year, defended the salaries of public school teachers and administrators. Let us compare his salary of $86,000 with the rest of Frederick County and the U.S. in general [and keep in mind that school teachers work only 10 months per year, so they should be making less that the average private sector and public sector salaries (the people who pay their wages) for their area]:

His Salary Minus the National Average for Federal Workers	$86,000	-	$79,197	=	$6,803
His Salary Minus the Average for Local Federal Workers	$86,000	-	$73,060	=	$12,940
His Salary Minus the Local Average for Teachers	$86,000	-	$67,150	=	$18,850
His Salary Minus the State Average for Teachers	$86,000	-	$57,000	=	$29,000
His Salary Minus the Average for Local Government Workers	$86,000	-	$45,344	=	$40,656
His Salary Minus the Average for Local Private Sector Workers	$86,000	-	$42,380	=	$43,620
His Salary Minus the Average for State Government Workers	$86,000	-	$42,120	=	$43,880

The teaching profession for decades has complained about being underpaid. Now they defend their extravagant salaries (while working only 10 months vs. 12 months), which are paid for by taxpayers, as if their skill level and education are far superior to the rest of the workforce and as if their contribution to society is greater than that of the average American.

Public school employees who see themselves as intellectual-elitists vote for politicians who promise them the most benefits from the public treasury. Public school workers, backed by politically-powerful labor unions, have a much higher standard of living than that of the people they serve—the taxpayers who pay their salaries, benefits and pensions.

Wages in the public sector are not driven by competition and the free market because the public sector is a monopoly. In Frederick County, the average public sector employee makes about the same as the average private sector employee; however, this is not the case for Frederick County school employees. And not only are public school employees paid much more than the private sector (as well as others in the public sector), they have generous benefits and retirement packages. Plus (like others in the public sector) they can retire after 30 years, regardless of their age, with a taxpayer-guaranteed annuity that lasts a lifetime and which is not affected by fluctuations in the stock market. These lavish pension plans have bankrupted the 50 states.

The average public sector worker spends about 30 years in the workforce and 30 years retired, while the average private sector worker spends about 40 years in the workforce and 20 years retired. On average, public sector retirees receive a pension equal to 66% of their average base pay after working 30 years while private sector retirees receive benefits equal to 33% of their base pay after working 40 years. In the case of public school employees, the average retirement pension is greater than the average private sector worker’s base wages while still working! It is no wonder that public sector retirees cost taxpayers almost as much as the entire bill for social security for more than six times as many people.

• In 2009, the average wage for the nation's 108 million private sector workers was $50,082.


• In 2009, the average wage for the nation's two million federal civilian workers was $79,197.


• In 2008, the average salary for federal civilian workers in Frederick County was $73,060


• In 2008, the average salary for local government workers in Frederick County was $45,344.


• In 2008, the average salary for state government workers in Frederick County was $42,120.


• In 2008, the average salary for private sector workers in Frederick County was $42,380.


• In 2009, the average salary for public teachers in Frederick County was $67,150 (a first-year teacher makes $40,706 - $47,228).

What is the average teacher salary in each state?
Salaries for Faculty of State Universities

Roughly $1 out of every $8 Maryland pays in pension benefits will go to Montgomery County teachers in fiscal 2011, as promised increases in salary and benefits have almost tripled teacher pension costs in the past decade. Ballooning teacher pensions will cost Maryland roughly $924 million in fiscal 2011, up 165% from $348 million in 2002. Maryland's total pension contributions -- including state employees, police, judges, lawmakers and teachers -- will add up to $1.4 billion for fiscal 2011, with Montgomery teachers getting roughly $181 million of that. - Montgomery teacher pensions cost Md. $181 million, Examiner.com, November 23, 2010

Board Approves Union Contracts for Frederick County Teachers

As the stock market bubbled ever higher in the 1990s, managers of pension plans ratcheted up their expectations of future "permanent" growth, giving politicos the go-ahead to ramp up pension pay-outs. In essence, pension plans, which were once constructed on the long-term expectation of 4-5% returns on capital, now based future earnings and pay-outs on the stock market's "average return" of 8% annually. As any reasonable person might have foreseen, the bubblicious stock market of the 1990s was not a "new permanent plateau" but, in fact, a bubble which imploded. Real returns in the past decade have been literally half what was anticipated and, as a result, state and local governments are having to make up the difference with cash out of general fund tax receipts. As tax receipts plummet in the "slow-growth," jobless recession, then state and local governments are forced to gut their programs to fund the oligarchy / fiefdom's pension promises. - Blame the Fed for the Pension Crisis Because They Engineered It, Seeking Alpha, May 24, 2010

July 6, 2006

Frederick Gazette - Frederick County teachers and support staff will receive pay raises for the 2006-07 academic year under contracts approved by the school board on June 28.

The Board of Education had sought to give its employees a 6 percent cost of living adjustment, but the need for numerous programs to benefit student achievement also demanded budget funds. The board settled on a 4.5 percent increase as part of its fiscal 2007 budget approved last month. This is in addition to a 3.5 percent ‘‘step” increase based on years of experience for employees.

The new contract for the Frederick County Teachers Association went into effect Saturday. In addition to the 4.5 percent pay increase, the contract also reimburses employees for testing fees associated with certification.

Health insurance for the union will also cover hearing aids for children 18 years and younger and increase coverage of in vitro fertilization to $30,000 over a lifetime.

The union represents teachers, guidance counselors, specialists and others in the school system. Gary Brennan (hired 08/28/86; 2010 salary of $86,420), the union’s president, thanked the school board for making employee pay raises a top priority of budget deliberations, but noted the shortfall in the 6 percent goal.

‘‘Although I feel that we reached an acceptable agreement, we need to acknowledge that our goal was not met,” he said. ‘‘This means we need to set a similarly ambitious goal for next year and find ways to fund it.”

School board president Michael E. Schaden noted that negotiations were successful this year because ‘‘everyone involved worked together.” Regarding teacher salaries, Schaden said he is hopeful that the pay increase will help keep qualified teachers in Frederick County classrooms.

‘‘Hopefully, our employees have recognition of what we’ve accomplished and stay,” he said.

Members of the Frederick Association of School Support Employees, which includes bus drivers and custodial staff, also received approval for a contract spanning the next three academic years.

In the first year, which became effective Saturday, members will receive a 4.4 percent pay increase and see pay for second and third shifts of work increase by 10 cents per hour. The second year of the contract, for 2007-08, will bring a 3 percent salary increase and larger clothing allowances and bus driver⁄assistant stipends.

Union president Karen Blackwood (teacher's assistant hired 08/27/96; 2010 salary of $24,314) said,

Employees ‘‘value the children and their progress. And for us, it is not just a job, but our passion.”

‘‘We have a desire to work closely [with the school board] over the next year to make sure we always stay competitive in our quest to obtain and retain the best in all our work fields,” she said.

Pay Raises, Pensions and Premiums for Frederick County Maryland Teachers

Vol. 11, No.6 : July 2008

FCPS.org - July 1 paychecks brought good news for eligible employees: a step increase averaging 3.5% plus a 2% cost of living adjustment.

The 5.5% overall increase helps offset the Maryland Retirement and Pension System contribution rate change from 4% to 5% to provide better member benefits.

Employee healthcare and dental deductions remain steady, with no increase in premiums.

Finally, changing our life insurance carrier to Prudential brought lower premiums to 12-month employees with optional dependent coverage. Deductions declined from 50 to 30 cents per pay period, while benefit offerings remain the same.

Benefits booklets and assignment letters are out or on the way from HR along with details about expanded 403(b) investment options.

For more, visit the benefits page in the www.fcps.org Staff section.

Talk Back: Do You Think Teachers in Frederick County Maryland Deserve a Pay Raise?

Originally published May 9, 2008

Frederick News-Post - A first-year, 10-month teacher in Frederick County earns $39,907. A six-year teacher at Myersville Elementary makes about $49,000, according to Frederick County Public School records.

This week, educators asked the county for a salary raise. Nine out of 10 people interviewed Thursday in Buckeystown, Adamstown, Urbana and Frederick said they should get it.

At the Urbana Park & Ride, Frederick resident Carla Tedford said,

"Yes I do. They have a lot to contend with. Children today are a lot different then when we were growing up. Teachers, they have such a great responsibility. Not only are they teachers, sometimes they're playing surrogate parents. The things they have to go through as an educator, and try to teach our young children how to make it in the world. I think they do deserve it."

Urbana resident Siheen Asfaha said,

"I think they do. I don't think they get paid enough for what they deal with. They're preparing the future generation. They deserve it. When it comes to tax issues, I know we can't (burden) the taxpayers ... Maybe we need to cut down somewhere else so we can pay them more."

But Adamstown resident Kenneth Cornwell said,

"No, because they have a lot of extra time off. I think they're making pretty good money. I got a whopping $2 dollar an hour raise over four years. I do make good money for what I do -- stock shelves for a living. Still, I work six days a week, have to. That's no voluntary type thing ... So I think they make good money and have good enough benefits."

In Buckeystown, Frederick resident Shelia King said,

"Yes, because they go through a whole lot. They get beat up, shot at. It's their choice to be a teacher, and that's what their career is all about."

Frederick student Linsey Hill had this to say:

"Yeah, I do. I also think they should get more money in the private schools too. They're really facing some difficult students ... I think with these times, with the economy becoming more strenuous, they need more money to keep up on books and school work ... They're building the foundation for us and we need the proper education."

Mark Sackville works in Frederick County, lives in Jacksonville, Fla., and travels the country.

"Sure, they're molding our youth, aren't they," he said.

New Frederick County Maryland Teacher Contract Provides Domestic Partner Benefits

July 29, 2010

The Frederick News-Post - By a "comfortable margin," Frederick County Teachers Association members ratified a contract that keeps salaries flat but provides health insurance coverage for domestic partners, a long-sought benefit.

The agreement also calls for Frederick County Public Schools employees to receive refunds from a $14 million surplus accrued over the last several years in the system's health insurance fund.

"For the second year, members will not receive a step increment or a cost of living pay raise," FCTA President Gary Brennan said Thursday. "But we were able to get the addition of domestic partners health insurance coverage."

The domestic partner coverage applies only to same-sex couples, Brennan said, because those couples do not have the option of marrying in Maryland.

"Opposite-sex couples have the option of marrying, so they are not included in this provision," he said. "Should Maryland pass a law allowing same-sex couples to marry, then we would revisit our plan."

The association was also successful in getting an additional tier added to the health benefits pricing plans.

Previously, there was a single tier to address employees with one dependent or seven, and the premium was the same regardless of size of family, Brennan said.

The new, employee-plus-one tier will be available to employees with just one dependent, whether a spouse or a child, he said. The new category is expected to save eligible employees about $50 a month.

Employees and retirees who participated in the medical and/or dental plans from Jan. 1 to June 30 will receive one-time rebates from the health insurance benefits fund.

Employees who paid for medical and dental plans will receive a rebate of $565 before taxes; employees who paid only for dental insurance will receive $200 before taxes; and retirees who paid for medical and health coverage will receive $200 before taxes.

Brennan said about $3 million would be paid out to eligible employees.

Another $3 million is going to the Board of Education for its use, according to Hal Keller, executive director of fiscal services.

While the board has not met to discuss the money, Keller said one possible use would be to hold it and apply it toward the fiscal year 2012 budget.

Just over $8 million -- about $3 million more than the recommended reserve of one month's expenses -- will remain in the insurance fund.

Brennan said his members are happy to avoid furlough days and pay cuts, but also look forward to the time when pay raises can be returned.

"Entering the third year at the same salaries has caused our members to delay financial decisions and delay goals," he said.

"We see corporate gains going up, an"d the stock market going up -- we in the middle class wonder when it will hit us.

Even with inflation rates very low, members are earning less in buying power each year.

The school system's human relations department could not be reached Thursday for comment.

Teachers' Contract Negotiations will be First Hurdle for New School Board Members in Frederick County Maryland

October 7, 2010

Frederick Gazette - The last time the contract between the Frederick County Board of Education and the teachers' union was up for negotiation, 11 months of haggling, a painful impasse process and five days of teachers' protests resulted before an agreement was reached.

The contract expires again in June and signing a new agreement with the teachers' union will be one of the most significant challenges for the Frederick County school board, which will have at least three new board members in December.

Four seats on the school board will be filled during the Nov. 2 general election. One incumbent is running for re-election.

Contract negotiations will not be easy, especially in a year when the school board will have to balance a tight budget with mounting pressure from teachers who have gone for three years without getting a raise, said Michael Schaden, vice president of the school board whose term will end in December.

New board members will not have much time to learn the specifics of the negotiations process before they start making important decisions about teachers' salaries and benefits, planning time and workload.

"The learning curve will be steep," Schaden said. "There are lots of things on the contract. And we haven't had any preliminary discussions about it."

The school system and the teachers' union hold negotiations on salaries and financial issues every year, and renegotiate the entire teachers' contract every three years.

Paula Lawton ( hired 08/29/84; 2010 salary of $126,067), the school system's human resources director, anticipates negotiations will begin in December and continue through April.

The biggest question before the board during that time will be whether to raise teachers' salaries for fiscal 2012. That is not a simple decision, even though skipping salary increases in a tough budget climate may seem like a no-brainer.

While holding back salary increases may be a healthy budget decision, it is not the best strategy for ensuring that Frederick County remains competitive with other Maryland counties, Lawton said.

"Other counties in Maryland have been giving their teachers salary increases and we remain significantly behind," she said.

Because of the bad budget times in the last few years Frederick County officials have not given teachers a raise since 2008, which has impacted negatively the school system's ability to compete for highly qualified teachers with other counties in the state, Lawton said.

According to Lawton, the Frederick County public school system offers $40,706 as a starting salary for new teachers, which ranks 22 among the 24 public education systems in Maryland.

In comparison, the starting salary for new teachers is $46,410 in Montgomery County, $45,061 in Howard County and $44,799 in Prince George's County.

Washington County, which is comparable to Frederick County by size and makeup, pays new teachers $43,652 and ranks sixth in the state, Lawton said.

"That is problematic," Lawton said.

Salary increases, however, are just one small aspect of the discussion of teacher contracts, which normally covers topic such as health benefits, workload and planning time. Each of these topics has the potential to become a potential deal-breaker in the negotiations process, especially if the new school board takes salaries off the discussion table.

In 2008, for example, the issue that became a deal-breaker was the amount of planning time for high school teachers.

Up to that point, Frederick County high school teachers had 450 minutes each week to plan lessons and grade papers and the school board tried to push principals to reassign 90 of those minutes for collaborative time every week.

The school board later limited that collaborative time to 45 minutes twice per month, but as a result of their initial push, the negotiations between the school system and the union reached an impasse in May. As a result, the two sides had to hire a mediator to issue a non-binding solution to the problem.

Teachers eventually organized five "work to the policy" protest days, coming to school during only the hours for which they were paid. Some teachers stopped volunteering with student clubs or writing letters of recommendation outside of paid time.

Eventually, the two sides signed a contract in December 2008, nearly a year after they started negotiations.

Teachers may want to bring collaboration time up for discussion again, mostly because they don't feel it is being used efficiently, said Gary Brennan, president of the Frederick County Teachers Association. In addition, teachers most likely would want to discuss workload and the increasing demands on teachers' time, Brennan said.

That is why it will be crucial for the negotiations to start early and to ensure that new board members are fully aware of the rules and regulations that govern the negotiations process, Brennan said.

"There are very specific laws for how this works and there is definitely going to be a learning curve there," he said. "In my experience this is going to be pretty unique. In the last number of elections you've always had the same five core people on the board."

Related story: Frederick County Board of Education candidates discuss teachers' contract issues

FCPS Employees May See Pay Raise

Originally published May 5, 2007

Frederick News-Post - Frederick County Public Schools employees could receive an 8 percent raise this year.

The Board of Education announced Friday that it had reached an agreement with the Frederick County Teachers Association, giving teachers a 4.5 percent cost of living adjustment and 3.5 percent average scheduled salary increase.

Although the school system's other two unions -- the Frederick County Association of School Support Employees and the Frederick County Association of School Administrators -- are in the second year of a three-year contract that calls for 3 percent scheduled salary increases, the school board bumped their raise to match that of teachers.

"Our members are going to be very happy about this," said FASSE president Karen Blackwood. "It's probably one of the best we've had in a while."

The Frederick County commissioners are paying for the 3.5 percent average scheduled salary increase, but only included a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment in their $471 million proposed fiscal 2008 operating budget.

The school system plans to fund the 2 percent difference for the cost of living adjustment with money from the state, said FCPS executive director for fiscal services Harold Keller, Jr (hired 09/05/90; 2010 salary of $140,665). The cost of living adjustment, the 2 percent difference, and other salary enhancements will cost the school system roughly $8.3 million of its proposed $462.9 million budget.

Gary Brennan, president of FCTA, said it is important to offer salaries that can compete with neighboring counties.

During the 2006-2007 school year, first-year, 10-month teachers with a bachelor's degree in Frederick County made $37,987 while in Montgomery County 10-month teachers with the same level of education earned $42,176.

"We presented a number we thought was fair and we just worked from there," Brennan said. "...Between the cost of living adjustment and the (scheduled salary increase) I think it definitely helps us to stay with surrounding counties, (but) I think we still need to look at a long-term solution to this."

Brennan said he would like to set up a multiyear agreement so new employees would have an idea of how much their salaries would increase for a number of years.

The agreement also includes a memorandum of understanding that teachers hired for critical shortage areas such as special education, English language learners and speech/language instruction will receive a $3,000 incentive bonus.

Teachers who choose to pursue certification in those areas will also be eligible for full tuition reimbursement and a $10,000 bonus after working for the school system for three consecutive years.

FCPS attorney Jamie Cannon (hired 01/16/98; 2010 salary of $134,229) said the school board will evaluate the incentive program next year to determine if it was effective in recruiting teachers to those positions.

"That really was more of an initiative from the Board of Ed side," Brennan said. "They feel some positions are especially hard to fill because you have an extremely limited pool of qualified people ... Our priority is competitive salaries for all teachers because we feel a great and effective second grade teacher is just as important as a great and effective special education teacher."

How are FCPS Employee Salaries and Benefits Determined?

FCPS.org

Collective bargaining agreements with each of the three employee unions determine salaries and benefits for FCPS employees. The unions are the:

• Frederick County Teachers Association (FCTA) for teachers and other professional staff,
• Frederick Association of School Support Employees (FASSE) for supporting services staff, and
• Frederick County Administrative and Supervisory Association (FCASA) for principals and other supervisors.

The Board of Education is responsible for negotiating with each of the unions that represents employees. The state of Maryland determines which issues can be bargained, which issues may not be bargained (such as curriculum), and which issues may be bargained if both sides agree. Multi-year agreements may be “reopened” annually for certain issues.

Unions may negotiate the scope of benefits and percentage share of premiums that employees will pay, but they may not negotiate the total cost of benefits or the specific identity of third-party providers. FCPS is self-insured for health and dental insurance, meaning that it pays the actual cost for claims as they occur instead of paying premiums to an insurance company. Eligible FCPS employees are covered by the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System defined benefits plan. Monthly payments to members and beneficiaries are made upon retirement, disability, or death.

• Negotiated Agreement Between the Frederick County Teachers Association and the Board of Education of Frederick County Maryland, School Year 2010-2011
• Approaching Retirement with the State Retirement & Pension System
• Frederick County Teachers Association Enrollment Form
• Search FCPS Salary Database

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