Detroit Public Schools admin announcement - epic fail

[Nazgul Girl]

   So, we all know that DPS has massive problems.   My DD has taught at charter schools in Detroit for the last 3 years, and they share students with the same problems.   I've heard lots of stories.   It's a damned rough place to work.

  DPS has been running ads on tv about how it's the place to go for your kids to get a great education ( ? ).   There are actually a few specialized schools in the sciences and arts that are quite good, but the rest are pretty challenged.  So, right before school was supposed to start ( this month ), DPS announces that class sizes will be increased, and ALL staff will take a 10% pay cut as of October 1st !!!!

  I couldn't believe my ears.   All the teachers that could retire have retired, they're having trouble getting new teachers, and class sizes are already too big in many of the high schools.  Even some of the high school students were expressing worries when interviewed.   All of the staff have already taken big pay cuts, and many were laid off.   Eventually, DPS needs to figure out ways to stop punishing their long-suffering staff further.

  A few days ago, DPS announced that they *aren't* going to increase class sizes and not cut the workers' pay by another 10%.   Good thinking, administration.   You actually need people to show up to open up the damn school buildings....   

[giramomma]

Our governor announced furloughs and wage freezes for state employees on "State Employee Appreciation Day." We had no warning that that was even being thought of.

I would imagine a 10% cut would be a little less messy than furloughing the teachers.

[Nazgul Girl]

Aug 28, 2014 9:45:16 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Our governor announced furloughs and wage freezes for state employees on "State Employee Appreciation Day." We had no warning that that was even being thought of.

I would imagine a 10% cut would be a little less messy than furloughing the teachers. a

  Well, they furlough them all of the time anyway, and the union has a say in 10% wage cuts.   They can't just decide at the drop of a hat to cut staff's wages.   It doesn't work like that  .   

  

[giramomma]

Aug 28, 2014 9:49:32 GMT -5 Nazgul Girl said:

Aug 28, 2014 9:45:16 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Our governor announced furloughs and wage freezes for state employees on "State Employee Appreciation Day." We had no warning that that was even being thought of.

I would imagine a 10% cut would be a little less messy than furloughing the teachers. a

  Well, they furlough them all of the time anyway, and the union has a say in 10% wage cuts.   They can't just decide at the drop of a hat to cut staff's wages.   It doesn't work like that  .   

 

Your daughter is lucky she still has a union.

ETA: I'm not saying it's right. It does suck, but I think this is pretty much the norm now for public sector employees.

[giramomma]

Aug 28, 2014 10:10:54 GMT -5 @sroo4 said:

Am I the only one that wonders why public schools are spending money on advertising?  Our local black hole  Public School System does this,  and I just can't help thinking the money spent on that would be better served by going to ... umm... student programs and such?

Maybe it's the easiest way to communicate?
I work with poor kids. Even the dirt poor ones have a tv in the house, maybe even a couple. Computers ownership and internet usage at home isn't as common.

 

[mmhmm]

Aug 28, 2014 10:10:54 GMT -5 @sroo4 said:

Am I the only one that wonders why public schools are spending money on advertising?  Our local black hole  Public School System does this,  and I just can't help thinking the money spent on that would be better served by going to ... umm... student programs and such?

That's logical! Shame on you!

[mmhmm]

 I'm sure your life will be much simpler, @sroo4.

[Deleted]

But they are competing with charter schools, trying to get the same money!  

[zibazinski]

Charter schools used to have rules and sometimes dress codes and behavior expectations. There ARE families in Detroit who actually give a shit about their kids and want them to get an education in a safe environment. If you can't afford a private school, this is your option.

[Nazgul Girl]

Aug 28, 2014 9:53:10 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Aug 28, 2014 9:49:32 GMT -5 Nazgul Girl said:

  Well, they furlough them all of the time anyway, and the union has a say in 10% wage cuts.   They can't just decide at the drop of a hat to cut staff's wages.   It doesn't work like that  .   

 

Your daughter is lucky she still has a union.

ETA: I'm not saying it's right. It does suck, but I think this is pretty much the norm now for public sector employees.

  DD has not been in a union since she came home.   She has only taught in 3 charter schools, and is now in a private school ( non-charter ).   None were unionized.   Just FYI.

[Nazgul Girl]

Aug 28, 2014 11:16:02 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

But they are competing with charter schools, trying to get the same money!  

   True.