February 18, 2009
A zero percent raise? Not really
What was heralded as a recession-sensitive, zero percent pay hike in the new Plattsburgh teachers contract will increase individual teacher salaries as much as 5 percent.
That's because teachers will continue to receive step raises, adding 2.1 percent to district salary costs and anywhere from 0 to 5 percent to teacher pay checks, the Plattsburgh Press Republican reports after the three-year contract was ratified 10 days earlier.
Such step increases are found in teacher contracts for the vast majority of New York school districts. (See contracts section of www.SeeThroughNY.net). Under the so-called "Triborough Amendment" to the state
Taylor Law, these increments must be paid even after a contract has expired. For a further explanation of this process, see the Empire Center's Taylor Made report.
In early February when the school board approved the three-year contract, officials said it recognized economic realities, but they overstated the teachers' sacrifice. "They are not getting raises," said City School Superintendent James "Jake" Short, "but they are not going backward, either."
Plattsburgh Teachers Association President Roderick Sherman said faculty members overwhelmingly supported the contract.
"The negotiating team went around to each building and talked to everyone. They understand what is going on with the economy." The contract calls for a 4.3 percent raise in year two and a 2 to 4 percent raise (depending on the cost of living) in year three.
But that's not all, as the newspaper discovered 10 days later. City School District will spend an overall 2.1-percent more on teacher salaries this year due to regular "step" increases, which are separate from salary increases. The school superintendent explained the contract has 22 steps, based on education and years of service. "The lowest percent for an increase is of course, zero, and probably the highest could be 4 or 5 percent."
Negotiated raises are added to the step increases.
So, for example, if the raise for the year is 4 percent across the board, a teacher getting a 5-percent step increase could receive an overall pay hike of 9 percent. Yes, the step raises are added to percentage raises. This is the practice of many New York school districts. In some, the step raises are built into the percentage raises.
As the Plattsburgh paper editorializes today: It's unfortunate...that the status of the City School District teachers' pay came out in pieces, as it did. The fact is that fewer tears will be shed for teachers in view of the step increases we now know are still in place.
« Previous |
Main
| Next »
|
