CAT Tracks for May 31, 2002 RAISES GALORE!

CONTRACTS, PROMOTIONS, AND RAISES

Where should we start...

The Board of Education fulfilled a previous "rumor" and transferred Constance Williams to the new position of Curriculum Coordinator and Director of Federal and State Programs (Whew...what a title!) - turning a half-time position into a full-time administrative position. And...before I forget...the Board hired the former Curriculum Coordinator as a "consultant" retroactive to May 1st...I suppose to "train" the newbie.

The Board of Education approved new multi-year agreements with the custodians and the teachers' assistants...those "more-than-they-offered-teachers" contracts.

Raises...???

In an "in-your-face" motion...with 8 CATs in the audience...the Board of Education approved retroactive raises for administrators of 4.25%! That's 4.25% on top of what they were making...the Board did NOT take away 3.75% first...like they did us...and then give it back. Noooooooo...it was 4.25% of NEW MONEY...4.25% times the largest salaries in the District! And you thought you couldn't get madder!

And...let's not forget the "Director of Personnel and Finance"...who makes more than most/all teachers...the person who calculates your paychecks. Shouldn't she get 4.25% also...I mean we have been told that the Board considers her an "administrator"! Noooooooo...she got a 5% raise!!! I guess she is a step above administrators...of course she does sit at the bargaining table advising the Board on financial matters.

There were consolation prizes...The high school teachers get carpeting...Lisa Childs was rehired at CJHS...Bennett Elementary teachers get a new roof...and Angela Coleman was rehired at Emerson Elementary.

Superintendent Isom announced that the IL General Assembly would conclude its session on May 31st and a budget would be in place. Hopefully, that will mean that more of our RIFed colleagues will be rehired soon!