A flyer advertising a Teacher Job Faire of the Bay Area Catholic High Schools is floating around BHS. The faire, scheduled for 10:00 1:00 on Saturday March 3 at Serra High School may pre-empt the Taste of the Town as a priority for BHS teachers. The financial mismanagement of the district's funds and the administration's violation of the contract in deducting health care contributions is pushing some teachers to explore other more secure employment opportunities. The new $80 million debt will place a severe drain upon the district's financial resources leaving little for the classroom or salaries and benefits.
- Written by JC
The exodus has already begun. Early retirement, a new district, or leaving the profession, BHS teachers are already making plans to leave. In my 17 years at BHS I have never heard teachers and staff discuss leaving the school. It is now a common conversation. It is a very sad state. The plans to strike are growing deeper. Past administration's worked very hard to build a solid groups of teachers for BHS. This work may all be lost after just a few years of failed leadership. There is still time to correct the problem, but the community must act.
Posted by: KRN | February 22, 2007 at 03:04 PM
This is unfortuate, but I believe it's just what the school board and district administration would like. A mass exodus means a new group of less expensive teachers can be hired, thus saving the district money so the interest on their loans can be paid.
The nature of our society is reactionary, not preventative, so I'm willing to bet nothing happens until it's too late and apathy will continue to reign.
Teachers will indeed leave for greener pastures, because as a whole, teachers are pretty smart and know when there's something better out there. Anyhow, the pasture BHS teachers are leaving is riddled with toxins and will be cemented over for the community to enjoy for years to come.
Posted by: Mac | February 22, 2007 at 08:50 PM
Nice moo-taphor.
Posted by: Pete | February 23, 2007 at 05:13 AM
Perhaps it would be a good idea for teachers to explore other opportunities...some will find they have it pretty good at BHS and others may decide they don't and will leave...no one is indispensable and other good teachers will appear. Certainly, no one should stay who is not happy. In my view, teachers certainly should stop spending class time (of which there is SOOO much less since the 7 period day was started) complaining to the students about their sorry lot. By the way, Taste is on Sunday, March 4
Posted by: bill | February 23, 2007 at 06:05 PM
no one is indispensable and other good teachers will appear.?
Bill,
Teachers are not factory workers who can simply be replaced with other factory workers on an assembly line. If that is your view of education, then the product you produce will be quite poor, or at best standardized.
I don't want good teachers for my children; I want great teachers. Great teachers cost money and benefits. What makes you so certain that more good teachers will appear? (much less great ones?) I will guarantee you that more teachers will appear, (market forces will ensure this will happen) but the quality of these new applicants may be questionable. Burlingame Elementary will remember what happened when they could not keep up with other districts in terms of salary. They lost a large number of high quality teachers to higher paying districts.
Your comments strike at the heart of our current issue in education, we want great teachers for our children but we view them as factory workers. Do you view police officers and firefighters with the same lens? How about doctors and lawyers? Does salary make a difference in quality?
It is ironic that you are attempting to increase the value of the education that your children receive but you do so by attaching the people who are responsible for providing that education. Your rant is a self-destructive act. If you want factory worker, the current relationship between the district and its teachers will give you factoryworkers.
Posted by: KRN | February 23, 2007 at 06:53 PM
Listening to talk radio this morning, there was an advertisement for the CTA with the president of the CTA speaking. She indicated that at any one time in California, there a turnover of 1/3 of our teachers. She related this to a huge number of new teachers needed..something like 100,000.
Turnover happens for loads of reasons. I agree with Bill, and I have said this before on the blog, no one should stay if they are not happy. It's not good for the teacher or the students.
Some may find that the pastures are greener, some may find a new place environment with the same ole crapola (sp?)
By the way, factory workers are an excellent and needed part of our labor force and economy. You'll find in many factories, very long term dedicated happy workers who do not feel they can be easily replaced. They value their specific skill and contribution, so do I.
Posted by: jean | February 23, 2007 at 07:59 PM
An interesting statistic to know would be the turnover percentage at BHS over the past few years... I think you'd find it quite low compared to a majority of public high schools in California. This is a testament to the kind of school BHS is... however, when there are teachers leaving (or even contemplating leaving) en masse because the administration and school board have made unilateral decisions that will take money away from student programs and directly out of a teacher's pocket for years to come, that's another situation, not teachers being unhappy about their postion in a high school classroom.
I appreciate Bill's comment, because it illustrates the mentality of our "throw-away society".
Here's a thought: A person can spend good money for an expensive shovel that'll last a lifetime, or one can buy a cheap shovel because they think they're saving money. In the long run, it pays to spend more for the quality shovel because it'll last. The less expensive ones break easier and more money will be spent over a lifetime buying numerous shovels. Who wants you to buy a cheap shovel? The people who get money from the sale of them.
Who wants you to believe that quality teachers leaving is a good thing? The school board and the administration... because they'll get money to pay for their mistakes. A revolving door of new teachers over the next twenty years will keep costs down and allow the district to pay off its debt. Good for saving money, but not necessarily in the best interest of students and families. There will be a trickle down effect that will not become apparent until it's too late... students being unprepared for the future comes to mind as one effect.
Posted by: Mac | February 23, 2007 at 11:36 PM
I pose the following based on your post, Mac. What's a better scenario for the student? An unhappy, bitter, disgruntled quality (qualified)teacher, or a quality (qualified) teacher that is thrilled and presents information in an enthusiastic method and doesn't burden class time (as Bill states) with complaints?
My truck, considered high quality and some may say exspensive, is in the shop, again. It must be disgruntled. I have a "courtesy vehicle" that is much less expensive and has a better warranty. It has some pep. And though its credentials are not what my truck has, and has little flare, I am really liking it! It's providing me everything I need, and more - which surprised me.
Shovel, truck, teacher, factory worker. The moo-taphors are endless.
Posted by: | February 24, 2007 at 02:11 AM
Jean, I think the point is that you aren't going to find "a quality teacher that is thrilled and presents the information in an enthusiastic method and doesn't burden class time with complaints" with the reputation that the SMUSHD is starting to gain. The word is out there and teachers are going to overlook this district because they know about the financial mess and lack of respect on behalf of the administration.
Posted by: guest teacher | February 24, 2007 at 03:46 AM
Jean,
Is your truck in the shop because you didn't perform the proper maintenance or did you fill it with low quality oil or fuel? The loaner? car may work out for a while, but it will also fail without proper care. It isn't the teachers who have failed the students. It is the lack of ethics and leadership. Many of the great teachers are still here, but they will not be without the proper care and maintenance.
Posted by: KRN | February 24, 2007 at 05:53 AM
Jean,
You have commented that the SMUHSD will be able to attract new quality? teachers in the event that current teachers leave.
In a post long ago discussing the $3.5 million budget shortfall and the district's firing of teachers, you claimed that teaches should perform due diligence on the district BEFORE accepting a job to ensure the ethical and financial stability of the organization.
A teacher evaluating the SMUHSD today would find the following:
A district that does not have a contract with its teachers or staff;
A district that is under investigation by the SM County Grand Jury;
A district that has a formal complaint filed against it by PERB which is soon to go to court;
A district that has willingly violated its contract with the teachers regarding class size and then blatantly ignored the rule of law in adjudicating the issue.
A district that had a $3.5 million budget shortfall and fired its newly hired teachers to make up the difference;
A district that is over $73 million in debt and plans to make payments out of the general fund (read salaries) for the next 40 years;
A district that suppressed its $73 million debt from the public during the last bond measure
A district that is looking a greater salary cuts and out of pocket benefit contributions from its employees in the future;
A district that sits on a peninsula, in the middle of some of the most expensive housing in the country, leaving its teachers few affordable places to live;
A district where the teachers have a 95% vote of no confidence against the Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources;
A district that consistently refuses to communicate or listen to its teachers, students, parents, and community in making policy decisions. (Calendar, Budget, Athletics, 7-Period Day, Academic Core, etc)
A district that will release a new teacher in less than a heartbeat.
This does not make for a positive first impression for new employees.
The SMUHSD cannot afford to lose its high quality teachers; the cost? to replace them is too high and will be borne by our students.
Posted by: KRN | February 24, 2007 at 05:19 PM
Jean, I think one of my points is-- there wouldn't be upset teachers if the board and district didn't make the flawed decisions they've made.
Posted by: Mac | February 24, 2007 at 06:22 PM
I hope you will keep us informed of which teachers do indeed leave, why, and where they've gone. And then, who are the new teachers, where are they are from, and why they chose this district.
Due diligence will surely find some positives as well. Like a beautiful schools, great students, involved families. Can you add to the list? What are the top three things that you love about your job, and the top three that keep you in the district?
I think I have a pretty clear picture of the negatives...how 'bout the positives.
Posted by: | February 24, 2007 at 09:10 PM
Just a thought about greener pastures! The Sequoia HS District which has the same funding source as SMUHSD seems to be thriving at a time when our district gets deeper in debt. The Sequoia District did major modernization projects to all their schools. Provided new athletic facilities. artificial turf fields, new swimming pools, all-weather tracks, and at some schools they even built new gyms. They have negotiated a pay raise for their employees (higher salaries than SMUHSD), continue to fully fund medical benefits, and have enough money to make a 7-8 million dollar purchase of the High Tech Charter school building in Redwood City.
Ever wonder why???????? Yes they had a bigger bond measure passed but that shows how wise they were to anticipate the costs and stay within a budget. The SMUHSD had to seek a smaller bond amount, that passed, because the two prior attempts that failed were too much money for the voters to trust the district to spend wisely. Leadership is based on results not perception!!!
Posted by: | February 25, 2007 at 12:42 AM
The Palo Alto and Mountain View-Los Altos District's also pay more than the SMUHSD. The smart teacher isn't looking at this year's salary, but the ability of the district to provide salary increases in the future. The SMUHSD's $73 million in debt will draw significant funds out of the General Fund and out of teacher's pockets.
Posted by: KRN | February 25, 2007 at 02:38 AM
KRN, what is your take on Bill's comment that teachers at BHS seem to be spending class time on this issue? Do you agree that some teachers are indeed taking this issue into their classrooms? Do you find that an appropriate use of classroom time? I personally believe that if this is happening, it is an inappropriate use of precious class time.
Posted by: sam | February 25, 2007 at 07:46 PM
Teachers are meeting at lunch once a week to stay connected andinformed on the issue. You will also find teachers dressed in black on thursdays as a sign of solidarity.
Above, Ann stated "In my view, teachers certainly should stop spending class time (of which there is SOOO much less since the 7 period day was started) complaining to the students about their sorry lot." You'll have to get her to tell you where she is getting her information, its not from me.
Posted by: KRN | February 25, 2007 at 08:54 PM
Students tell adults (parents, parents friends, tutors, coaches..)what goes on in class, which class, by whom, and how much time was spent on this issue.
Sam's question is do you, KRN, think that's an approriate use of precious class time, whether or not it's you or an associate?
Posted by: | February 25, 2007 at 10:33 PM
It is not appropriate for teachers to initiate discussion on these issues. However it may be a question that is asked by a student or students when they read about in the paper or when they see staff dressed in black on Thursdays. They also ask questions when they see teachers voicing their concerns by carrying signs before and after school on the the first of day of each month. Teachers should respectfully divert attention back to the discussion of the lesson.
Posted by: | February 26, 2007 at 01:46 AM
I have never heard of a teacher taking time out of class to discuss these issues. I'm just wondering why the Burlingame Community is so willing to defend the district administration? These aren't the people who spend hours a day with your children. Do they even know your kids' names?
Posted by: guest teacher | February 26, 2007 at 02:01 AM
Having taught at BHS and knowing how close it came to being closed in the 1970"s the current community may not be aware of this fact. Through the effort of teachers, parents, administrators, and students they were able to turn BHS around and made it the school it is today. It would be a shame to see BHS to an about-face because of a leadership that takes staff for granted and value being "right" more than they do their students and teachers.
Posted by: | February 26, 2007 at 03:33 AM
"Students tell adults (parents, parents friends, tutors, coaches..)what goes on in class, which class, by whom, and how much time was spent on this issue"
If this is the case then you already know the answer to the question is this being discussed in class, you just want my opinion on it. Are people keeping lists? Most teachers don't speak out on the issues because they fear retaliation. They have feared retaliation or transfer for a while because those who are willing to speak the truth become targets.
It is quite interesting that a school district's leadership created a $3.5 million budgetary shortfall and has also placed the district $73 million in debt (and will have to pay for it over the next 40 years) and all the people want to know about is if the teachers are talking about it in class as this may be a waste of time?
The community needs to get up to speed very quickly that the teachers and the district are currently in a pre-strike environment due to the failed leadership of the board and the district. Teachers talking about labor issues in the classroom are going to be the least of our problems if this gets worse. Remember, the teachers did not create or expand this problem. They have only responded to it in trying to protect their wages and salaries.
It would be natural to move into a discussion of public policy and the creation and extension of an effective environment for eduction. Attracting and retaining the best teachers would be on the top of the list. I make this argument as a parent and member of the community, not as a teacher. The vote of No Confidence against the administration was not just over financial issues, but also issues of trust and ethics.
I have spoken to many parents who would like this entire situation ended right now. They (of course) would like the teachers to give in (accept financial cuts to benefits and salaries) as this would be the easy answer to a difficult situation and their child's needs would be met. The problem with this solution is that it does not solve the root cause of the dispute. There has been growing distrust between the teachers and the administration and it has now exploded over the fiscal mismanagment of the district.
It is quite clear now that at the school board meeting in the San Mateo gym when the Superintendent demanded a 3% salary cut from the teachers and staff, he also knew that he had a secret $73 million debt to cover and the 3% salary and associated benefit cuts would ease this secret debt in the long-run.
Should teachers be talking about this issue in the classroom? If they are, it is in response to extreme stress and frustration over the situtation. I do not believe that it is meant as a form of indoctrination.
Someone had better start talking about these issues before we see the downfall of the entire SMUHSD?
Posted by: KRN | February 26, 2007 at 07:30 AM
KRN, I think you are avoiding the issue Bill raised and that I asked about...teachers are, in fact, spending time complaining etc during class time...you may or may be one...and please, retaliation???? against teachers???!!! I'll bet there are plenty of parents who would like to tell you and other teachers how they really feel, but fear retaliation against their children. With the abysmal level of support the BHS admin gives parents and the blind suppport it gives to incompetent teachers (not you KRN!), it would be academic suicide for a parent to speak out while his/her child is still at BHS. What a sad state of affairs--and please, KRN, this is not all Sam Johnson's fault...and by the way, I'm not that Sam...I obviously use a pseudonym to protect my child from BHS faculty retaliation.
One last thought, teachers have certainly succeeded in indoctrinating students--just check out some of the past articles in the Burlingame "B"--one by Lina Arikat stands out in my memory--hardly what anyone would call objective reporting. Fine for an editorial, but reported as news--I think not. And your buddy,SAE, I'm sure she's about to weigh in here on how I clearly don't know what I talking about...I'd advise her and any other student who has bought the teachers' position hook, line and sinker, to really try to take a more objective view and ask some one other than an teacher for their version of the "facts' and then, for once, try to thnk for themselves and come to some conclusions on their own.
Posted by: sam | February 26, 2007 at 04:43 PM
Sam, do you appove of the current leadership in SMUHSD? Do you feel they've done a good job overall, and managed resources effectively?
Posted by: Mac | February 26, 2007 at 05:48 PM
Jean-- for me personally, there is an intrinsic satisfaction that's manifested through facilitating the learning process with young people; there is an inherent joy I feel when students are learning, developing, and "getting it". This is the #1 reason I teach and it exceeds my second and third reasons by far. Studies show most teachers who stay in the profession for more than a couple years also share this same internal motivation. In addition to working with young people, I also enjoy working with intelligent colleagues as part of a team. Having vacations to spend with my family, traveling, taking courses and/or working on projects also makes time off a bonus.
There are a lot of "good" schools with great students and involved parents. There are also a lot of schools with little to no discipline, parents who enable their children, and plenty of uninvolved/dysfunctional families.
I won't even discuss the current political climate shared by all those employed at the SMUHSD, just dollars and cents.
The intelligent teacher who investigates the local school districts (and is good at what they do) will likely apply to at least three districts before SMUHSD (based on pay alone). SMUHSD will not be second choice, but possibly fourth or fifth choice given the opportunities in local districts. It's an issue of supply and demand-- teachers will be in demand for at least the next ten years as many teachers are reaching retirement age at the same time. The system SMUHSD is putting in place will not be as lucrative and "good" teachers won't be retained or even inclined to apply in the district because they can feel the same intrinsic satisfaction teaching provides while making more money in another district with similar demographics. Poor decision making by the administration and school board have put this district in serious debt. The district cannot provide a lucrative salary schedule to attract and retain the best because it doesn't have the money to do so... you can spin it, sugar coat it, blame it on the teachers, whatever you want, but at the root, mismanagement of millions of dollars have put the district in peril for years to come.
Posted by: Mac | February 27, 2007 at 12:32 AM