By daytondriver

November 7, 2006 5:27 PM | Link to this

The DEA leadership has been ABSENT from the media during this whole affair, letting the DPS administration set and frame the entire debate. SHAME on the elected leadership for not taking any proactive stance in the public relations war that Percy Mack and Gail Littlejohn are waging. The posters to this blog have been the only kind of of countervoice for the union that I have seen anywhere. And to think, the DPS administration has its very own ad agency and pr firm downtown, and the DEA sits there and twiddles their thumbs. No press conferences, no media releases, nothing.

By teachermom

November 7, 2006 4:50 PM | Link to this

Terrance !!! YeaHHH!! I have been TRYING to get these points across to my colleagues exactly ! You hit it right on the nose.

By Terrance

November 6, 2006 2:41 PM | Link to this

To begin, I am not a teacher in the DPS although I have been a college professor and so I know a few things about the academic environment. I am the father of four children educated in the public school system and the grandfather of eight grandchildren currently being educated in the public school system. Additionally, I am a taxpayer with a vested interested in both sides of the table, administration and teachers. Finally, I am perhaps the only contributor to the Dayton Daily News letters to the editor. Perhaps you read my editorial on the back of one of your flyers. As I view the current matter of teachers and compensation, I am struck by several observations. First, shame on the leadership of the DEA for cowering to the Superintendent and to the Board of Education. I say that because time after time the Superintendent and/or the Board has preempted information to the public, thereby putting the DEA behind the issues and having to take a defensive position. Second, shame on the DEA leadership for not getting its message out to the public in a dynamic manner through the news media, especially television. If the DEA leadership will not state the case for the DEA, who will? No one, that is who! Third, shame of the DEA leadership for not aggressively pursuing the data re costs for administrators beginning with Dr. Mack and his staff. I understand that although the district is facing financial deficits for possibly the next several years, Dr. Mack in presently recruiting for two administrators in the $60,000 to $80,000 range. As for the recently acquired Reynolds & Reynolds building downtown, why does it sit less than half-occupied wasting money? Perhaps that is another matter for another time. Although I could go on with several other issues re both the lax leadership of the DEA and the deceptive behavior of the Superintendent and the Board of Education, I will stop with one final thought for the moment. Why does the DEA leadership think the proposed two-year contract is a good deal for the DEA membership? It offers zero raise for this year. It proposed to stop fact-finding for future contracts and allow for federal mediation only. That will allow the Board to come to mediation with the data on its side and zero data for the DEA leadership. It proposed that the Board could reopen the contract as soon as seven months after it is in force. That will allow the Board legally to violate parts of the contract after it is in force. I might suggest the DEA consider the following, get a strongly qualified labor attorney under contract; fight tooth & nail for a two-year contract without escape clauses, one that get the DEA fair and equitable increase for the two years; and finally, recall the current DEA leadership. It is a misnomer to call them leaders, as evidenced by their behavior; they are sheep to the Superintendent and the Board of Education.

By Oldprof

November 6, 2006 1:17 PM | Link to this

Re: Baldridge. Yes, the AQIP is being imposed on all levels of education. For those interested in a careful critique, pick up a copy of “Management Fads in Higher Education” (it’s relevant to K-12 management fads as well). Sinclair’s library has a copy.

By Oldprof

November 6, 2006 1:15 PM | Link to this

Nancy R. The money (eight million dollars) was taken back by the state, supported by (1) an admission that they can’t keep track of enrollments (2) a new law that school districts can’t appeal state BOE stupidity. The Cincinnati district has sued (their superintendent is Mrs. Blackwell, y’know) and if they win then Dayton and other districts will be made whole—of course, that doesn’t fix the problem until the courts get around to it, and hope they make the good decision.

By I gotta eat

November 6, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this

Enough already! We all get it. Nobody appreciates us. Nobody respects us. Unless you do our job, don’t criticize us. Blah, blah, blah, wah, wah, wah. What is it about our profession that turns us into a bunch of whiny crybabies? Why do we have this sense of entitlement? Yes, we are one of the most important parts of society, but teachers need to get off this high horse. I hear colleagues talk in the teacher lounge, etc. and I get so depressed listening to all the belly aching about the job, the students, the bosses, the parents. It’s not just like that in Dayton, but also in the suburbs as well. Let me clue you in on a secret, most jobs have their own stresses and most people don’t feel appreciated, respected, and paid enough. The difference for them, is that most can get fired for no reason what so ever. It seems the people who complain the most are in unions. Hey wait a minute, maybe there’s a pattern there. Oh, yeah, I worked at Delco in the eighties and it was especially true there. Wonder why Delphi is almost gone from Dayton? I am very happy to be an employed teacher in Dayton, doing what I love doing. I hope we all know what we are doing if we strike.

By Keith

November 6, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

Now the Board’s got everyone fighting everyone else—instead of the Board! . . . . . . . .Some people just don’t get that teachers are professionals and deserve a professional salary. Mary thinks teachers should be paid whatever the median for the community is paid. That’s what many charter and community schools want to pay. Look at the level of certified teachers in their teaching area and experience and expertise that’s not in the classrooms there. People are teaching without proper levels in the areas they teach. . . . . . . . . . Again to Mary and the others, go to Wright State and get teaching certification. Spend your own money to get educated and then go into the classroom. Tell us after 5 years what you think…I won’t hold my breath. . . . . . .Teachers deserve professional pay. Money shouldn’t go to beautiful new buildings for ones the management didn’t maintain through the decades; money should go for teachers. And get rid of the poor ones in the process — because when your pay offered is higher you can attract better new ones!

By BaldrigeQuestion

November 6, 2006 9:54 AM | Link to this

Please explain the Baldrige comments. These criteria (the nation’s “Education Criteria for Performance Excellence”) are maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology—the same people who determine the need a leap second, standards for DNA testing in court, and excellence criteria in healthcare. The education criteria were supported by NEA presidents Geiger and Chase. The criteria carries the force of state law through OAC 3301-35. Should we infer from comments above that: DPS never told teachers how the Baldrige criteria relates to the state’s expections of its schools (other than better test scores)? DPS administrators don’t know how to support Baldrige through aligned curricular materials and short cycle assessment, forcing classroom teachers to pick up the slack?

By DPS Parent

November 6, 2006 9:38 AM | Link to this

OK a few items…. FIRE Littlejohn?? I do so hope you are not a teacher saying this….. The voters elected her!! Littlejohn drives a DPS vehicle??? I’ll bet that is not the case at all. She is not an employee. And finally.. was not the baldridge plan forced on the district from the state BoE? Scott- can you shed some light on these topics?

By mla

November 5, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this

Baldrige!? Who cares about Baldrige!? That’s just another waste of money, and time, by the administration. The program looks good on paper but it does nothing for the kids. How much money did the district spend on this program? Probably lots. Not to mention that this program was invented by an insurance company for businesses! BUSINESSES!!!! To DPS Parents: how do you like knowing that your child (and you for that matter) is considered a customer in this district. The goal is to please the customer, and the customer is always right, but where is the respect and compassion? Not in business! It just goes to show how P.Mack and G.Liljohn have mismanaged this entire district. Some business they’ve created. Maybe when they start talking education they’ll do a better job, until then, they can take their business somewhere else!

By Nancy R

November 5, 2006 8:37 PM | Link to this

Oldprof I do know the numbers. I am the BAR Rep for my building and involved with union people who know and told me the numbers. The Board has not been forthcoming with financial documents that have been asked for by the Ohio Education Association Financial Officer for DEA. So DEA has had to get the information on their own. If the Board had nothing to hide they should have exhibited faithful bargaining by disclosing them and not hiding them! The financial documents that the DEA had show that DPS had an excess of money. Now the STate Auditor says they don’t. Where did the money go? The 5 year fiscal budget of estimations and actual expenditures showed an excess as well as of June 2006. Where did the money go? Over the summer teachers took workshops at Ludlow and saw and took pictures of custodians throwing away unopened reams of paper, files, folders and many other useful items that any teacher would beg for. Administration received bonuses for Baldrige Implimentation. Who impliments Baldrige? Classroom teacher do! Where is my bonus?

By Mom4Change

November 5, 2006 8:02 PM | Link to this

OldProf- Where are your “real numbers”? And what do you mean “unsubstantiated accusations” ??? Here is a fact for you - if a DPS teacher has 2 children, they will likely qualify for the free school lunch program. Do you know what that means?? Many of the people that are responsible for the future of our city/state/country, can’t afford school lunches for their own children. That is pathetic- while Mack and Littlejohn drive cars paid for by DPS, and have a greater expense account than a whole school of teachers combined. Have you been to the Ludlow building? How’s that for a waste of tax money? No, OldProf, I DONT think you get it. Do some research, spend some time in the school district, then hopefully, you WILL get it!

By daytondriver

November 5, 2006 5:54 PM | Link to this

Good point OldProf. Why isn’t the DDN, with its resources, using the web at least to post LOTS of public documents available to the public and doing any analyzation of the DPS machine?

By AnneL

November 5, 2006 3:41 PM | Link to this

The raise is SO not the issue - am I right - we want downtown to spend responsibly. Old Prof - go look at the marble floors that were installed downtown - then tour a few of the building for kids that have bathrooms where only one sink has water. We want the money to go to the kids - not downtown. A good percentage of my pay goes back to my students - pencils, shirts, books, folders, hats, and basketballs… Okay - my choice. But now they are trying to take away the teacher work days - I work ENOUGH at HOME. My own kids deserve some of my time. And our Dayton kids deserve the money and teachers a #%$@ of a lot more than the people downtown folks deserve plasma screens, and plush offices.

By Let's Get This Straight People!

November 5, 2006 3:02 PM | Link to this

IT’S A ONE TIME (ONE TIME) 1% PAYMENT ON THE ANNUAL SALARIES THAT TEACHERS MAKE!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! NOT A 1% RAISE!

By Fedupwithboard

November 5, 2006 2:32 PM | Link to this

Well said Nancy

By Oldprof

November 5, 2006 1:23 PM | Link to this

Nancy R, I assure you, I GET IT. No other institution would expect success if they hadn’t provided the proper tools for the people who do the work, and anyone who thinks DPS teachers don’t deserve a huge increase is greedy. But I tire of people who have access to all of the DPS financial documents (ever hear of the sunshine laws?), who don’t bother studying the numbers, but who continue to pretend that they’re qualified to accuse the board of mis-spending. Unless and until Hater and the rest can back up their bloviating with some actual numbers, they’re being irresponsible with these unsubstantiated accusations.

By Teacher and Taxpayer

November 5, 2006 1:21 PM | Link to this

I have been following the discussion regarding the 1% “bonus” offered to the Interestingly, afDayton teachers with interest. People need to understand that for many teachers, the only raise that is possible for them is when a new contract is negotiated. Experienced teachers who have worked from 15 to 20 years GET NO LONGEVITY raise; the only hope they have to keep up with the cost of living is when a new contract is negotiated. This also applies to our most experienced teachers. Most teachers I know work on those breaks (for which they are not paid) or take classes (for which we are financially responsible). We spend a great deal of our own money on our students; I know of no teacher in DPS who has not bought school supplies, clothing or paid for field trips for their students out of their own pocket. Why is a levy being proposed right now? If the administration has been dipping into the “rainy day fund” as heavily as implied in the last interview with Dr. Mack that I read, it would seem that an operating levy attempt would have been indicated at least a year ago. Was it not put on the ballot because the Kids First team was running for re-election?

By mla

November 5, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

Dayton Taxpayer: Yes, the children are the ones that suffer, and of course the teachers know that! But it’s really not like the Board does much to help these children anyway. If they really cared then they’d give the teachers and students what they need….they would not give themselves what they need. Besides that, they would give the teachers a right to teach instead of forcing them to partake in useless programs that only churn out graphs and data. Education is not a business…we do not need any more data in this society! What we need are knowledgeable, independent thinking, creatively minded individuals who can succeed in life. So let them keep teaching to the test! Is that the answer? As far as I’m concerned, the Board, Percy Mack, and the government of the USA are the ones that failed these children long ago, and the teachers are the ones trying to save them. By the way, a 1% raise IS better than a 1% cut…if that were at all the case, but it isn’t. The “tentative” agreement calls for a 1% one time payment on the teachers’ annual salaries. For many teachers, this does not cover all the expenses for supplies/materials that they buy for the students in a year.

By Charterschool Hater

November 5, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this

Teachers and indeed all employees of the Dayton Public Schools love the children they serve. I agreee with the dayton taxpayer that a raise is indeed better than a cut. But the employees have children too that have needs that must be met. I 1 % raise is not going to get it. Most DPS Employees would be happy to do thier part and accspt this if Mack and Littlejohn had done all they could do with the cuts. I maintain that assistants to assistants and multiple levels of supervisory control are luxuries we can no longer afford. Lay them off and give the employees who have daily contact with students the raise they deserve. Why does Mack need an assistant and and several secretaries anyway. 1 secretary or 1 assistant/secretary will do. It is that way in many DPS Departments. They need to go. We need to think lean if we are going to convince tax payers to ante up with more dollars.

By Rosa

November 5, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

I have been teaching thirty years, twenty with DPS. I have always been a team player. Enough is enough. This is about respect and regard. The teaching profession is not one of high respect as reflected in nation-wide salaries. My son’s first job salary was more than mine after 25 years! But I love my work, I value my impact on this and future generations. My sadness is that the board members and administration are not on my side. They should realize my importance better than persons not involved in education. Yet they disregard and disrespect me with lies and manipulation. I helped the district pass a levy before based on promises that never came. It won’t happen again. Why should I tighten my belt when I do the work and administration is getting fat. They are reaping the benifits of my labors. To Mary, teachers need to have second jobs to supplement their salaries, this new calandar made it difficult to get summer employment, plus the expense of child care has been tacked on for the month when other districts are still on summer break. Ultimate disregard for our students was this unified calendar. If Children First is our policy, why did this unified calandar get implimented before determining that all CLASSROOMS are airconditioned. Patterson-Kennedy is one of many non-airconditioned buildings. We are a three-story building with a late bell (intense afternoon heat)with no air conditioning in all rooms. My ‘easy’ job is to motivete these hot, drained, little people to pass achievement tests and get us out of ‘academic emergency’. What was the board thinking??!! Respect me, regard my students, otherwise I say STRIKE.

By Nancy R

November 5, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this

I spend alot of my own money on supplies for students who can’t or parents who won’t buy them. Our new textbooks don’t match the state standards that we are required to teach so I purchase materials that do. The OAT test, Terra Nova tests and Short Cycle Assessments match the state standards and If I want my students to learn those standards I feel the pressure to buy the materials so my students have a chance to pass. Others districts supply their teachers will all the materials needed. We have to buy ours. That 1% one time bonus check won’t even touch what I have spent. Unless you work for Dayton Schools as a teacher or in a school as a specialist or custodian you just don’t get it. If I wasn’t there for the students or wasn’t thinking of them I wouldn’t be spending so much of my money on them!

By Dayton taxpayer

November 5, 2006 7:30 AM | Link to this

What about the kids in this discussion. DPS has cleared a major hurdle by getting to Continous Improvement. Now the challenge is to stay there and improve. Money is tight all around. Dayton is getting smaller, which means a smaller tax base and a smaller number of children in grades K-12. I voted for the levy for the schools and I am quite impressed. These buildings are a real plus for our city. Is “Strke-at-all-costs-fire-the-administration” mentality the common feeling among teachers AND are all the wonderful things Dr. Mack and Atty Littlejohn says in public a bunch of smoke and mirros? Again, what about the kids? Would a strike help or hurt their cause. One last thing, Isn’t a 1% raise better than a 1% cut???

By Oldprof

November 4, 2006 3:33 PM | Link to this

Once again—can we all focus the attention on the REAL villains? The state BOE and superintendent Susan Zellman, abetted by the legislature, have declared that their own incompetence at counting attendance is of no importance and have taken 8 million dollars from the district. THAT’S YOUR PAY RAISE, good DOE people, and if every dues-paying member got on the phone to the state and gave them an earful, maybe something positive would get done. Those are the real numbers.

By Charterschool Hater

November 4, 2006 1:30 PM | Link to this

For the DPS teachers out there here is some advice. Vote No on this insulting contract. Send your union back to the table with this charge. The need to request the line item spending on the Ludlow Street facillity including wages for the maintainence staf since they got the building. I agree with the people out there who say that the Ludlpw Street facillity is where all the money went. I say recall the members who voted the buy the place . Sell it and give you teachers and all the DPS employees the raise you deserve. Dr. Mack has spent all the money so they can have palacial offices in an outdated building. And they expect you good employees to pay for it? That is why i say NO on the levey they want.

By mla

November 4, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

Mary: Are you seriously going to argue that teachers make enough money with what their jobs entail on a daily basis (especially in the urban schools)? Many times teachers in urban city schools get their butts whooped (figuratively speaking) every day by some of the kids, administrators, and parents in these schools. NO WONDER THEY NEED A LITTLE TIME OFF!!! Teachers can easily put in 70 hours a week…hmmm…just like my lawyer friend who does the same thing. OH! Except she sits behind a desk all day and racks up hours with her client that can sometimes exceed $375/hr. Yup, my friend still makes more money than many teachers, given a comparable amount of time put in. And yeah, teachers do get more breaks, but it’s not like they don’t work while on those breaks. There is something seriously wrong with this country when lawyers (they’re not all bad either…I acknowledge that) can make more on a pointless lawsuit than teachers who are trying to educate the next generation of leaders. Yeah, I think skimping on the important things is the way to go. I’m sure all of those buisnesspeople and lawyers on the Board won’t fess up to any of it…why should they? They have you brainwashed as it is!! Do us a favor…don’t go over to the darkside. Trust me…Littlejohn is evil enough and doesn’t need any help.

By lou

November 4, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

Mary, my salary is public record. Anyone who wants to know what I make can look it up. My benifits, I pay about $98.00 every 2 wks. for insurance for myself and my special needs child. I pay over $330.00 every 3 months for my childs medications, I pay over $8000.00 dollars a year for his medical care. Because I make “so much”, my child recieve no benifits for for his disabilities. Those that you say make so much less than me are getting help in these areas. I pay over $250.00 a credit hour for classes in order to be able to teacher (8 hours every 5 years). I paid my own way through college. I have six years plus education level. I made the choice. Others had that choice also. You are right, we do not worry about lay offs, we just get fired and left without a job. Many will not have a job in January. If we work so little, and our job is so easy, why are you not a teacher?

By Concerned

November 4, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

The DPS teachers have been very cooperative with the BOE up to this point. We conceded to this new calendar (which, by the way, is very disruptive to the flow of teaching AND hard on the students and teachers during the really hot months). We also helped campaign for the last raise in property taxes which was quite substantial, but did pass thanks to our help. We have been very patient and compliant with all of their requests. But we have to stand firm. If there is not enough money then it should be absorbed from somewhere else, not from the teacher’s deserved raise. We shouldn’t be asked to carry the burden of an underfunded school system. We are the people on the front lines. We deserve every penny we are asking for. Plus, I believe the money problems are directly the result of the the board’s mismanagement of the money secured from the last tax raise. If they would have built the new buildings faster as promised, parents wouldn’t be leaving the district in droves and we wouldn’t be losing so much funding.

By dpsgrad

November 4, 2006 9:28 AM | Link to this

What I do know about Littlejohn is that she is full of herself. She goes by Atty. Gail Littlejohn in everything she does for the Board, including bid advertisements. Is she the attorney for the Board? No. What other attorney in public office goes around doing that? Let alone one who has been sanctioned by the Ohio Supreme Court for failing to comply with continuing education requirements, albeit in the 90’s. So much for attention to educational detail.

By Mary

November 4, 2006 9:24 AM | Link to this

It is hard to understand through all the self-pity and whining what really needs to be done and what is fair. Maybe each school employee should mention their current salary and benefits with their complaints. It likely exceeds the median household income and benefits in our area - you know, those people who will be paying your raises and bonuses and making less than school employees and working longer hours and subject to layoffs or firings. Lou, I knew how to read before I went to school.

By Keith

November 4, 2006 8:25 AM | Link to this

First to Mary who thinks that teachers don’t do anything outside of 4.5 contact hours per day for all that money. After 3 decades of teaching children, I can tell you to go to Wright State, get your certification, and you can go into a DPS classroom and show us how it’s done!!! If you think the pay is that great for most, have at it… … … … … … . … . … . . . The teachers again are told one thing about do extra effort to fix kids and raise scores and you’ll be rewarded. But when the time comes, it’s a budget crisis and we can’t pay any more. How many times did I hear that through 3 decades? My 2nd year a teacher retiring spoke up at the meeting to discuss striking and said she’d worked for peanuts off the board’s table all her life and that we should do something better than accept them. We went on strike. If the teachers don’t see the parallel in the worker-handling-tactics with lots of other big businesses through the last couple of years, they need a review of Delphi, AK, and all the otheer techniques used to reduce pay for the Privates and increase rewards for those “really doing the work at the top management.” As long as the board can keep parents, teachers, community, media fighting each other, no one points at the board in unison and says “No.” It’s up to the teachers to say “No.”

By Nancy R.

November 4, 2006 7:58 AM | Link to this

Anne, I like you! Fire Littlejohn and I will also take a pay cut! If we can’t get money, let’s get our calendar back, records day back and anything else we can find!

By mla

November 3, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this

To DPS Parent: I know that it is probably difficult to be stuck in the middle of all of this, but the truth of the matter is, if you actually think that DPS teachers are being absurd, then you haven’t been getting both sides of the story (clearly). Most of the teachers that I know in DPS are hard working, self-less individuals who care for the well being of the students that they teach (often in some of the most difficult of environments). They are not money hungry, selfish, ingrates. The Board has left these teachers in a difficult position so that they look bad if they do not accept this “tentative contract.” (Obviously it’s working). And as crazy as this may sound…sometimes “thank you” just isn’t good enough, because for Percy Mack and Gail Littlejohn it’s just going through the motions. Yes, every teacher in DPS could’ve gone to law school or med school so that they could some day rake in the big bucks. However, they chose a path in life that would lead them to something greater…providing children with knowledge. (Yes, I know it’s hard to believe, but some people actually go into the teaching field because they want to. Imagine that!) So, before you jump to conclusions, please put yourself in the teachers’ position and see if you feel any differently about this whole ordeal. Or, better yet, all the DPS teachers can go on strike and Gail Littlejohn can teach your child all about Risk Management. The text book can be entitled: How to cheat the people and avoid a strike. And who knows…she might have some extra cash lying around to buy some Blackberries!

By AnneL

November 3, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

Fire Littlejohn and I’ll take a paycut!

By AnneL

November 3, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this

Old Prof, You said consoledating to one building is cost effective - but what about Ludlow 2 - they were pretty hushed about this 2cd plush building! This is not about money - it is about getting the board to STOP throwing it all away on their building, furnishing…downtown and to get them to start spending it on education. I agree with many others - I vote STRIKE. Or they can get rid of Ludlow 2 and Littlejohn and I’ll take a paycut, with pleasure.

By past employee

November 3, 2006 8:12 PM | Link to this

I was not a teacher prior to retiring from the Board. I saw such waste of money in other departments it was pathetic. If it were not for the teachers, the over paid Administrators would not have a position. Give the teachers a well deserve raise. 1% is nothing but a slap in the face for an almost thankless job. Who worked with the children to raise test scores? Sure wasn’t Percy Mack or the Board members. But who received the credit??? I haven’t seen one thank you to the hard work the teachers do. Give them a substantial raise. If not for the teachers in this world, pray tell me where would we be?

By Barb

November 3, 2006 7:57 PM | Link to this

One has to wonder whose team the DEA is playing for. I for one would love for the news media to take some time and track down exactly how much has been spent on Ludlow II. How much was spent on Jackson Center and now are the meetings held there? No. What exactly was the heat and air conditioning repair bill for each building. How many administrators would have to be let go to give the teachers a fair raise and exactly what impact do those administrators have on a “Kid’s First” school district. There are rumors that more administrators are being hired. Isn’t ironic after Percy Mack thought this vote was in the bag that in today’s paper he has said that cuts will be decided in the next 2 weeks? Wow, are the students being threatened to lose sports and adjunct staff in the hopes of building sympathy for the Board? I know as both a teacher and a parent in DPS I am appalled to think that my student, a senior in the system is being jeopardized in an attempt to win the battle that Gail Littlejohn has set forth. A New Day is certainly dawning but my fear is that it is dawning to meet Gail Littlejohn’s political aspirations; so is the district Kids First, or Kids after Littlejohn? How about letting the public decide. DDN give the public a fair representation of where all of this money has gone in the last 2 years. I know the money that is being agreed on will not cover what I actually spend on just supplies for my class. I hope that everyone will send a no confidence vote to the DEA and the Board with a NO vote on Wednesday.

By Coach

November 3, 2006 7:24 PM | Link to this

DPS Parent, No disrespect intended but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist or a teacher to read between the lines and know that Ms Littlejohn has been at the head of the board propoganda machine for the last several weeks. The union has given her the time and the venue to get to the press first so that she can portray the teachers in a less than good light. This is my perception but I have always been pretty close in evaluating people. She has tried to give Welcome stadium to UD. She monopolizes meetings. I saw her at a meet the candidates night where her cronies could not answer questions without her nodding approval. If I were not an employee of DPS it would be amusing to watch how she manipulates the system and people of this district.

By Nancy R.

November 3, 2006 5:47 PM | Link to this

There is a part in the offer that says that if we are “out of fiscal emergency” negotiations can reopen. Who decides if we are out of fiscal emergency? The board? We know what they will always say. Why not ask for a 3% raise increase if the levy passes? Make the board accountable for a raise. Make it a certainty that we will receive a raise if the levy passes. Any thoughts on that?

By DPS Parent

November 3, 2006 4:47 PM | Link to this

Orvile Wright..”Teachers have yet to receive a “Thank Youâ€? from downtown for pulling this district out of academic emergency. “ Come on now! I was at the convocation and I have seen it replayed on the dps channel. The Mayor, littlejohn and Mack said THANK YOU several times!!! As a Parent THANK YOU now lets move on!

By dps teacher

November 3, 2006 4:43 PM | Link to this

Dayton does 3 things VERY well…mismanaging their money, hiding their mistakes from the public, and insulting their teachers! In response to “I gotta eat”, I DO have a family, including young children who frequently succumb to illnesses…leading to $10 copays per visit and prescription costs,a combined commute to daycare and work (mine and my husband’s) that cost about $5 - $7 a day based on the price of gas, and a $200 a week childcare bill…add it up! It’s hard enough to cover those costs now, and their offer doesn’t even cover the cost of living. Yeah, I can cut cable and the newspaper, too…but that won’t even cover my gas for the month! Agree to this deal…(and keep in mind that it is for 2 years AND they will STILL be cutting positions throughout the district)…and watch Dayton walk right over you!

By Coach

November 3, 2006 4:35 PM | Link to this

To “I gotta eat”, We fell for the “you’ll get a sizeable raise if you help pass this levy” before. We also heard that we would see more money if we can improve our test scores and state status. The administration talks big maybe hoping we can’t deliver. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or a teacher to read between all the print that Littlejohn is behind the propaganda machine trying to make the teachers look bad in the community. I would like to see us ride this out and like Huber Heights strike convocation. Let Dr. Mack, Littlejohn and the rest of the round table sit in the heat that is UD arena by themselves while we have one huge picket line outside. The media would be there in force and the students would not suffer for it.

By Lou

November 3, 2006 4:25 PM | Link to this

Mary, I am tired of hearing how little I work. I work as many days as the normal professional. I do not get holiday or vacation pay. If you count up the paid days off the rest get, then figure hourly pay, I make a whole lot less. Furthermore, I have to spent my time off in class in order to continue to teach. With rising tuition and a pay cut how can I afford to continue teaching your children? I am not reinbursed for any of this. I do a job that many cannot do. You cannot recall the products I produce. My product is your future. Thank a teacher that you can read this message.

By Patterson Kennedy

November 3, 2006 4:15 PM | Link to this

I gotta eat. I have also been in the district for 10 years and have no one to support me but I am ready to support my fellow teachers and show others that they do not need to insult us with an offer like that. We all have bills to pay and supplies to buy for our classrooms. I will support a strike.

By Oldprof

November 3, 2006 3:59 PM | Link to this

Well said, Orville. Now let’s point the blame whereat it’s fitting. First, administrative bloat is not because of this BoE; I understand in fact that it’s smaller than five years ago. The state and feds mandate administrators for certain of the marginal funding practices—if you want to blame someone, look to Columbus. Re: facilities—does anyone have any REAL expert estimates comparing the cost of maintaining the separate, almost-derelict buildings, paying for their multiple utilities bills, and commuting from one to the other, vs. being in one more modern space with more efficient utilities and better communication? By “real expert estimates” I mean estimates from construction professionals like the ones this BoE got, not “it must be true” assertions by people from other professions.

By Orville Wright

November 3, 2006 2:55 PM | Link to this

I am incredibly insulted to hear that my negotiating team accepted a “fair” agreement. Fair to whom? There are 90 administrators located in the downtown offices of Dayton Public Schools. This does not include any administrators in the school buildings. What do these people do? That counts for 1 administgrator per 16 teachers. I am 1 teacher to 26 students. Do we hear any cuts concerning downtown jobs? Dayton Public paid 20 million dollars to purchase the 2 downtown buildings. That money came from the general fund! So the administration building could have air conditioning, another 100,000 was spent. Do I have air conditioning in my classroom? NO! This does not include the millions spent to renovate the buildings after purchase! Dayton Public mismanages and grossly over spends. It is about time that downtown administration/board members suffer some consequences for their actions. Teacher and students should not be suffering for board members/ administrators greedy mismanagement. Teachers have yet to receive a “Thank You” from downtown for pulling this district out of academic emergency. I say a BIG “NO!” on Wednesday.

By DPS Parent

November 3, 2006 2:50 PM | Link to this

Ms. Carter, How do we know that Ms. Littlejohn was the leak? Lots of union people also saw the information before the teachers got it. Scott was it from Ms. Littlejohn?

By I gotta eat...

November 3, 2006 2:03 PM | Link to this

I have been a DPS teacher for almost 10 years and I am a little dismayed by those DPS teachers that are calling for a strike. The teaching market is tight and there is not a lot of demand for teachers, especially in the Dayton area, so I am thankful for the job I have and I do not wish to jeopardize it by striking. I am not married and do have a second income to rely on. I would like a raise but if I can pay the bills, then I am satisfied. I might have to cancel my cable and newspaper, but I will do what I need to do to survive. But if we strike, I might lose my house and become bankrupt. I know it is a little melodramatic but it is realistic. Our instinct is too fight for what we think is ours and in most cases, we can but we need to do a reality check. Is a strike really worth a few more dollars a week? Is it worth damaging our positions in the community? Is it worth risking lay offs of teachers in the district with less seniority? Instead of striking, let’s ratify a 1 year negotiated agreement, help the district get the levy passed and then negotiate a real agreement or strike if that fails. Will a strike earn us respect from the board and administration that we already know doesn’t respect us and probably never will until Littlejohn is gone. Maybe we should put in the agreement that we will ratify it if Littlejohn resigns. I’d take the original proposal if she resigned. I will not cross the picket line but I will not vote to strike. I simply cannot afford it

By Mary

November 3, 2006 1:46 PM | Link to this

In defense of JD, some professions actually agree to wage concessions, not raises, to keep their jobs afloat. Regarding “teacher supporter“‘s comment, who doesn’t work extra hours without additional pay? On the other hand, who else gets as much time off as teachers for their professional salaries and benefits? Studies have shown tachers are paid more per hour than accountants and engineers when work time and pay is considered.

By teacher

November 3, 2006 1:37 PM | Link to this

I have worked in the district for 4 years and have never felt more undervalued and underappreciated as I do today. The board keeps saying that they are in a financial crisis and they need to make all these cuts. I want to know where all those millions went that Percy Mack said we had saved when we were at convocation. I also understand that the union had an independent auditor come in and they said there was money to give the teachers raises. We are not asking for a huge raise. I urge all teachers to band together and vote this contract DOWN.

By teacher supporter

November 3, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

The board made an offer which they thought was ok While teachers work after school receiving no extra pay. So let’s rally together, so our voices are heard so the “generous” board will know their offer is truly absurd!

By Sarah Carner

November 3, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

First of all, saying something like, “the deal that was struck” is misleading, because the DEA has not yet voted on the contract. Furthermore, the news media was given details of this supposed “deal” before anyone bothered to inform the union members. (That’s real classy, Littlejohn.) It has always been true that teachers become teachers for the love of the calling, and not the money. Perhaps this is a good thing, since it filters out those uninterested in shaping the future. However, if teachers cannot make enough money to simultaneously have a place to live, a way to get to work, heat and food, we’re going to see a great shortage of talented educators. It is unfortunate that a teacher either has to be married to someone with a “better” job or independently wealthy to stay in this career. We are the lowest paid professionals with a four year degree working in our licensure area. We are the second lowest paid district in Ohio; the lowest paid district in Ohio has their insurance paid for them. This is ridiculous, and an insult to your children.

By Are you kidding?

November 3, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

Does the Board really think that DPS teachers are THAT stupid? If the Board actually thinks that acting positive about this deal, once again patting themselves on the back for coming up with a “plan”, will brain wash the teachers into thinking that their problems are solved….they have another think coming!!! This is an outrage and I’m not buying it!!! The Board’s sole goal is to cheat the DPS teachers out of what they deserve (at the very least…RESPECT) and to make to make them look bad for while they’re at it. If the Board wants a STRIKE…they should get one!

By DH

November 3, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this

With enrollment down, why would administration need more space? They should need less space. Why haven’t we seen in the DDN notice that the Board has to pay a balloon payment for the larger building, and this is due the first of 2007?? This is the reason for cuts in staff and no increase as was promised. And to dps comments, don’t blame the parents about not backing the teachers, the Board has not asked for an increase (even though they knew more money would be needed due to their promise to the teachers).This 1% will not even pay fgor the increase in health premiums!!

By dps teacher

November 3, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this

well said, lou!

By lou

November 3, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this

This is to JD. It is not my fault that the district is in so called bad shape. I did my job and brought up test scores without books, supplies, and any district bought science supplies. THE TEACHERS HAVE DONE THEIR JOBS and the non building level administrators are getting the rewards. Give the administrators a pay cut, cut their jobs and hire more teachers.

By dayton teacher

November 3, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this

C Buchanan…just a note re your comment… Dayton is NOT offering us MONTHLY stipends, but a ONE-TIME payment equal to 1% of our salary for 1 year! (Even though this will be a 2-YEAR CONTRACT!) So, based on my salary step, I would (for example), receive a check for approximately $238 after taxes that is supposed to “last me” until 2008. I think that is insulting!!!! And on the suggestion of “STRIKE”, I second the motion!

By John Todd Jr

November 3, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this

This article is a disgrace to read. Dr. Mack got his money, now I have to beg and scrap for mine? That doesn’t seem right. It is about time that people realize that teaching is one of the oldest, and most honorable paths left in the world we live in. We take young hearts and minds and shape them into something amazing. Now we have to worry about feeding our families, so overpaid administrators can have free cars to drive, and personal expense credit cards with no accountability? What is wrong with our society, that we would allow such injustice in this day and age? Help a teacher,respond to this article. I also ask you to support teachers when we STRIKE….

By JD

November 3, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this

Why not focus on teaching instead of crying about money? Most of us don’t get guaranteed raises every year. If the district wasn’t in such bad shape, the teachers might deserve a raise!

By dps teacher

November 3, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

As a DPS teacher, I, too, am disappointed by the tentative agreement but I am not surprised. A strike would be a huge mistake and would only lead to more chaos and further loss of jobs. Parents say that teachers deserve a raise but they are not willing to support us by voting to increase their taxes. There is no money, no matter how much we wish there was. Percy and the board will continue to spend money as they see fit, and most of the money is gone. They will cut teachers before they cut administrators downtown. We are fighting a lost battle and the only casualties are teachers and ultimately the students.

By dps teacher

November 3, 2006 8:57 AM | Link to this

I am frankly insulted and annoyed that OUR union stated that they would refrain from releasing details of our offer to the media until we (the teachers) were told. Yet, low and behold, we find out from the paper that Dayton has once again offered us an insult in place of a reasonable agreement! It is being portrayed and printed through the media that this is practically a “done deal”. Does anyone realize that the majority of Dayton teachers will still receive what essentiallly amounts to a PAY CUT!?!?! An offer of (based on my salary) approximately $238 AFTER taxes doesn’t even cover the “rescinded” $250 tax credit that I used to be allowed to claim to cover supplies I purchased for my classroom. Too bad our board and administrators only see us as a money problem, and not as the team members who helped Dayton make incredible strides in achievement! And, yes, I would say :STRIKE”!

By Mom4Change

November 3, 2006 8:30 AM | Link to this

Shame on you, DPS BoE! You’ve once again shown a complete lack of support for your educators- and they are the reason for the schools “continuous improvement” rating. I’m starting to think that maybe the best thing for DPS would be to let the state come in and take over- they could not possibly do a worse job than the current administration! Maybe we could finally get rid of Gail Littlejohn!

By C. Buchanan

November 3, 2006 8:26 AM | Link to this

THis is no financial reward. This is a bribe to shut up and not strike. Teachers were promised a “substantial raise” for pulling the district out of academic emergency and the Board does not want to fulfill that promise. Now they are pulling all kinds of smoke and mirror tricks with the finances just like every other time contract negotiations occur. A 1% Bonus stretched out over the rest of the year in the form of monthly stipends? Tacked onto regular paychecks? With federal, state and city tax deductions? Do you think a teache rwill hardly notice a bonus like that???? Maybe if making the salary that Percy Mack makes! Oh, by the way Scott, quit telling the public that the teachers got a 4% raise for each of the past four years. They recieved a 3% raise in 2004 and 1% in 2005. They have NEVER received 4%.

By Oldprof

November 3, 2006 8:22 AM | Link to this

A degree of disappointment is going to be present on most sides. But until school funding gets fixed, this scenario is going to play out again and again. One thing I’d like to emphasize: there are a number of people in our community who have blathered about how teachers’ unions are uncooperative and greedy; this contract proposal shows that the union leadership is willing to work within current conditions.

By lou

November 3, 2006 8:13 AM | Link to this

The union sold us out. We deserve the bonus because we are out of academic emergency. Where is my raise? “STRIKE”

By Greg

November 3, 2006 7:31 AM | Link to this

I am a DPS teacher. This is an insult to all of us! We lost alot of good teachers this year, and they want more! Do I hear “STRIKE”?