[Veritas]

I completely agree that this is a ridiculous situation and that teachers are being taken advantage of. Having said that, before we delude ourselves into thinking that this or that argument will help the teachers, let us bear a few things in mind...

Is this even LEGAL?

Yes, completely. There is no statutory proscription against it. Teachers are not being asked to work a day without pay. They missed three days of work due to the flood, but presumably will be paid for those, and are being asked to work two days in their place. Using the already-modified schedule of 187 paid days this school year as the model, this actually leaves the teachers "owing" the district for another day, as the furlough situation was theoretically a separate issue. In other words, do not use the original 190-day schedule as the starting point, but the 187-day modified schedule, since that is what prevailed at the time of the flood. In any event, one is reminded, as has been established here in the past, that teachers are not covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act, because they are considered in the professional class. Don't get me wrong; this move is patently absurd, especially so late in the game, but it is most assuredly legal.

The days during the flood were natural disasters. Furlough days in place or not, they would have been told "DO NOT COME IN." And in any situation, teachers would have been paid for these days. This was not a day they would have been in the building REGARDLESS of any other situation.

This is a mistaken assumption. While the use of the phrase "natural disasters" sounds good to the ear, the handling of the flood days would have precedent in terms of how other bad weather event days have traditionally been handled. Most of the time teachers have been asked to come in an extra day during postplanning when schools were closed for snow or storm. For example, in 2004 there was a snow day in February (the last time snow closed Paulding schools) and a tropical storm day in September. Both resulted in an extra planning day at the end of their respective schol years. Thus, one could simply state that the same is being done here. So it is not accurate to state that teachers "would have been paid for these days," because in the past they were technically not paid for these days, but for the replacement days. (Yes, I know that the day was not subtracted from one paycheck and added to another, but the theory still applies.) So this argument does not work when one looks to the most recent times similar events occurred.

Everyone was surprised when the two 2005 fuel days did not result in such make-up days, but rather, a time-log of sixteen hours being submited by teachers as "proof" that they worked hours to make up for the missed days. While this charade was also a foolish solution, it probably relates to the fact that the governor requested that all districts statewide close schools for two days. All but four of the 184 districts did close. (Floyd County was the only nearby district that did not close.) The statewide nature of this event, coupled with the fact that the decision came from the governor, would seem to have been a factor in the unusual solution. The recent flood, while it affected multiple districts, including Atlanta, was by no means a statewide event-- not sure if that factored into the decision. In my opinion, it should not.

So basically they are taking advantage of the flood days to gyp these teachers out of a day off (unpaid of course), some of whom HAVE made plans on those days. I'm looking into the legality of this, but at the very least it's wrong to do.

As stated, it is perfectly legal, but I agree that it is ill-advised and insensitive.

Other than complain on here, It's my intention to invite all of the local media channels to cover this story as well. I was told the media was welcome at the October 13th BOE meeting (6:15 PM).

Do not allow yourself to believe that the media will either run to cover this, or even in its ability to advocate on anyone's behalf. Modern media outlets are called to cover hundreds of stories a week, and people tend to overestimate the media's ability and their concern. And since, again, this is actually just a change of schedule, there is no legal issue, as teachers are not being asked to give up another day. An Atlanta TV station producer or an AJC editor is unlikely to send a reporter out to Dallas as a result.

If this is an issue for you, why not go to the DOL.

At a previous job, we were required to attend Saturday training without pay. One girl complained to the DOL and we were paid OT for the training and were even offered childcare expenses with proof required.

For some reason, Saturday training classes were no longer offered to us.

I assume that by "DOL," you mean the U.S. Department of Labor, which handles wage and hour cases. This issue does not concern them as it currently stands, because as I stated above, teachers, as salaried professionals, are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. It sounds as if the case that you quoted above did not involve exempt professional employees. (A month or so ago we had a lengthy discussion on this board about whether teachers are exempt, and I provided several sources that indicated that they have always been exempt, so hopefully that aspect is no longer at issue here.) So, there is no one to run to, because teachers are exempt, and beyond that, this is not a wage and hour case. Whether or not it develops into a separate contractual issue over the number of days (as evidenced by PAGE's statement), remains to be seen at a later date. I believe that there is more to come, as the school year progresses. It may turn out in a way that none of us can now foresee.

This post has been edited by Veritas: 10 October 2009 - 12:03 PM

[lovekandj]

I completely agree that this is a ridiculous situation and that teachers are being taken advantage of. Having said that, before we delude ourselves into thinking that this or that argument will help the teachers, let us bear a few things in mind...


Yes, completely. There is no statutory proscription against it. Teachers are not being asked to work a day without pay. One is reminded, as has been established here in the past, that teachers are not covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act, because they are considered in the professional class. Don't get me wrong; this move is patently absurd, especially so late in the game, but it is most assuredly legal.

This is somewhat incorrect.

Teachers are being asked to work on December 21 (well, at least we assume we are, since it is now on the calendar and was discussed in the minutes, but again--why has the BOE not sent an official word?)

We were told to take 3 furlough days between August and December 31, and we are currently being docked for 3 days of pay (each month). However, we have missed 6 total days since our contracts began for the year (1 furlough and 5 flood). We've made up 2, and are about to make up 2 more, which means we are now only being furloughed for 2 days. The county is choosing to keep our money, and have said they are 'banking' that extra day for next year.

What happens if we don't have another furlough day? Also, is it legal (or at the very least moral/fair) for the county to keep hundreds of thousands of dollars of savings from their teachers when that money could be added back to our paychecks, since we have not taken that furlough day, nor is it now on a calendar?

That, I believe, is going to be the downfall of this idea.

[Lucky64]

No school Friday.

[jmd]

This is somewhat incorrect.

Teachers are being asked to work on December 21 (well, at least we assume we are, since it is now on the calendar and was discussed in the minutes, but again--why has the BOE not sent an official word?)

We were told to take 3 furlough days between August and December 31, and we are currently being docked for 3 days of pay (each month). However, we have missed 6 total days since our contracts began for the year (1 furlough and 5 flood). We've made up 2, and are about to make up 2 more, which means we are now only being furloughed for 2 days. The county is choosing to keep our money, and have said they are 'banking' that extra day for next year.

What happens if we don't have another furlough day? Also, is it legal (or at the very least moral/fair) for the county to keep hundreds of thousands of dollars of savings from their teachers when that money could be added back to our paychecks, since we have not taken that furlough day, nor is it now on a calendar?

That, I believe, is going to be the downfall of this idea.

3 flood days you missed. Thursday and Friday teachers did work.

[lovekandj]

3 flood days you missed. Thursday and Friday teachers did work.

Right. Even if you look at it that way, we've missed those 3 days, plus the 1 furlough day. If we make up 2 days, we're still down to 2 furlough days, meaning that the county is still keeping our money without us having taken the day.

[Veritas]

This is somewhat incorrect.

Teachers are being asked to work on December 21 (well, at least we assume we are, since it is now on the calendar and was discussed in the minutes, but again--why has the BOE not sent an official word?)

We were told to take 3 furlough days between August and December 31, and we are currently being docked for 3 days of pay (each month). However, we have missed 6 total days since our contracts began for the year (1 furlough and 5 flood). We've made up 2, and are about to make up 2 more, which means we are now only being furloughed for 2 days. The county is choosing to keep our money, and have said they are 'banking' that extra day for next year.

What happens if we don't have another furlough day? Also, is it legal (or at the very least moral/fair) for the county to keep hundreds of thousands of dollars of savings from their teachers when that money could be added back to our paychecks, since we have not taken that furlough day, nor is it now on a calendar?

That, I believe, is going to be the downfall of this idea.

Again, I do not agree with the board's decision (if it can be called that), but it would seem that you are starting with the presumption of a 190-day contract, which no longer exists for this school year, having been changed into a 187-day contract prior to the flood. From that 190-day model you begin adding and subtracting days, based on flood and furlough, which are, from the state's perspective, two completely separate events. One must start with the modified 187-day contract, which was imposed (in accordance ith the law) prior to the flood. Under this contract, teachers' schedules were reduced by three days, with workdays from August, October and December deleted from the schedule. Another concern is where you state that teachers "are currently being docked for 3 days of pay (each month)." I am not sure what this means, but the three subtracted days are being spread out over the course of the entire school year, rather than from three months.

One also must also keep in mind that for purposes of expedient bookkeping, once an adjustement for the year is made, most boards of education continue the same monthly paycheck rates, regardless of days missed. Make up days are inserted when and where they needed, but no adjustments are usually made to paychecks. For example, if a snow day occurs in January, teachers are off that day, but are still paid for it; they make up that paid day off at the end of the school year, as an extra post-planning day. However, their June paycheck is the same as the January paycheck, despite the "transferred" day off. No changes are made to their salary.

In this case, the reduction of the three teacher workdays occurred prior to the flood. Teachers were immediately told that the dates would be in August, October and December. Despite early indications that the three days' pay would be deducted before the end of 2009, Paulding teachers were later informed that the cuts would actually be spread throughout the 2009-2010 school year. The August date has already passed, and the second is coming up next week. The result is that the teachers' annual salary was reduced by three days.

THEN, after all of this had been established, the flood occured. Schools were closed for one week; teachers missed three of those days, and worked the other two as planning days. The next paychecks, rest assured, were not taking out money for the three days missed, so as it then stood, teachers were receiving three paid days off. Naturally, this did not stand, and soon the announcement came that two previously canceled workdays in October and December, would be recouped by the district as workdays. The result of this is that the teachers will then have received only a single paid day off. The board can argue that teachers will owe them one day, since teachers were paid for three days off and are only being asked (for the moment, at least) to make up two of those three paid days off.

Legally speaking, the only connection between the furlough and the flood is that the furlough caused the reduction of the teachers' schedule this school year to be reduced by three days--two of which, having previously been made available, are now being used to make up two of the three paid days off that occured during the flood. Beyond that, one cannot switch back and forth between the two versions of the contract.

Again, I share the disagreement of most here about the decision. but do so on the grounds that it is a thoughtless, insensitive move, not that there is any legal problem with it. The BOE may indeed be a quirky group at times, but they are not complete fools--they do have attorneys with whom they check before making such a move.

This post has been edited by Veritas: 10 October 2009 - 04:49 PM

[LindaB]

Where can we see a copy of the PAGE or GAE letters?

[PC_Blue]

If going by the 187 day adjusted schedule and keeping things the way they are right now with teachers working on the 16th and Dec. 21st, we will have worked 188 days, therefore working a day without pay. Am I wrong????

[LindaB]

If going by the 187 day adjusted schedule and keeping things the way they are right now with teachers working on the 16th and Dec. 21st, we will have worked 188 days, therefore working a day without pay. Am I wrong????

No, with the extra preplanning day, you are correct.

However, do you really believe they are done with furlough days?

They will furlough more days after New Year's. We are just going to be very very careful that they can count and teachers don't get . . . um. . . shafted.

[Jane Doe]

.

[lovekandj]

If going by the 187 day adjusted schedule and keeping things the way they are right now with teachers working on the 16th and Dec. 21st, we will have worked 188 days, therefore working a day without pay. Am I wrong????

No, you're not.

I don't understand why this has been such a hard concept for some people to understand (not necessarily on this board, just in general).

[orrby]

My questions is this. I was told that in order to get paid for the 3 days we had off for the storm, they took our vacation and personal days we had banked. If they did indeed do this, if we make up the days we missed, are they going to give us back those vacation days they took in order for us to get paid?

[Cajun]

No school Friday.

No school for students.
This was to be a furlough day.
Now it's a makeup day for teachers/staff.

[GAlife]

My problem is notice was given less than a week. You can't change airline tickets etc... unless 7 days before, or you loose..

2nd I am now forced to take a personal day, when I did not plan to use it on that day, hence saving the $$ on the ticket it cost me $$double$$$$

and I am thinking that they are just out to get us more and more, and are not on our side to help.... They can call an emergency board meeting anytime,

when it effects this many employee's I would think it would be justified. And in these economic times, my trip has now doubled in cost....and I don't even need a hotel room. And asked my husband to get off work, as well, didn't realize we would both be out 2 days income..

Oh well, another suck it up and go on, I hate to see my next check.....

[katcol]

Funny that you brought this up. I have noticed her missing as well. Perhaps the BOE is not allowed to post here?

I have gotten the distinct feeling in the past that her fellow BOE members are not thrilled when she backs the people of the community. That might be why she's laying low for a bit.

Maybe we need to consider a complete overhaul of our BOE. If anyone would ever run against the incumbents, that is.

[edu]

We keep referring to the BOE. Isn't it all on Ragsdale's shoulders? He is really the "Boss".

I think it is unfair to make changes "mid-stream". The teachers should have some rights but once again are being dumped on. Stick to the original calender. Possibly make up any days later in the year with more time to plan changes.

[fishnthec]

 revised_work_schedule.xls (30K)
Number of downloads: 46

Does this help?

[edu]

 revised_work_schedule.xls (30K)
Number of downloads: 46

Does this help?

Help with what?

[workingforaliving]

 revised_work_schedule.xls (30K)
Number of downloads: 46

Does this help?

190 DAY EMPLOYEES - TEACHERS/LOCAL SCH TECH/MEDIA CLERKS
190 DAY CLERKS
October 16, 2009 will be a work day
December 21, 2009 will be a work day
Calendar as approved by Board
START DATE: AUGUST 10, 2009
END DATE: JUNE 9, 2010
Flood Days - additional work day to be determined by Principal




Have we always had 3 post-planning days? I thought we only had 2??

[andyr05]

190 DAY EMPLOYEES - TEACHERS/LOCAL SCH TECH/MEDIA CLERKS
190 DAY CLERKS
October 16, 2009 will be a work day
December 21, 2009 will be a work day
Calendar as approved by Board
START DATE: AUGUST 10, 2009
END DATE: JUNE 9, 2010
Flood Days - additional work day to be determined by Principal




Have we always had 3 post-planning days? I thought we only had 2??

No. On the original school calendar we only had 2. They added the 3rd day as a "make up" day for the flood day.

[lovekandj]

No. On the original school calendar we only had 2. They added the 3rd day as a "make up" day for the flood day.

So basically they added a day that they knew they'd furlough anyway.

Nice.

[Kim Cobb PCSB Post 3]

absolutely....I am very angry about this. The response we were given was..."Be glad you have a job!" Ok so does that make it OK to treat your emplyees any way you choose? I don't think so!

Who told you "be glad you have a job?" We were very concerned with each employee and the plans they may have scheduled. The board made this very clear prior to any vote being taken. I have been answering each and every email and phone call to address any concerns. I have addressed many concerns with the central office staff. We were assured that each employee would be treated with flexibility. Please know that "be glad you have a job" did not come from me.

[BabeCake]

Who told you "be glad you have a job?" We were very concerned with each employee and the plans they may have scheduled. The board made this very clear prior to any vote being taken. I have been answering each and every email and phone call to address any concerns. I have addressed many concerns with the central office staff. We were assured that each employee would be treated with flexibility. Please know that "be glad you have a job" did not come from me.

Kim. It's good to see you again. I would love to you posting more here. Thanks for posting in this topic.

[lovekandj]

Who told you "be glad you have a job?" We were very concerned with each employee and the plans they may have scheduled. The board made this very clear prior to any vote being taken. I have been answering each and every email and phone call to address any concerns. I have addressed many concerns with the central office staff. We were assured that each employee would be treated with flexibility. Please know that "be glad you have a job" did not come from me.

Nice to see you on here.

Is there a reason that the board didn't actually ask for teacher input on this issue? Is there a reason that we are being told to come in on the 16th, only a few days before most of us will *easily* work 20 hours of overtime during conference week? Why can we not track that time and turn it in, as we did a few years ago (and almost EVERY other county does for extra weather days).

I love my school, and I love my job. The morale at our school is amazing, but being a teacher in Paulding County? Notsomuch.

This was a great big slap in the face, just like it was to be made to wait until right before preplanning to be told about the furlough day then.

Has the BOE thought about sending out an actual email, newsletter, or carrier pigeon to its teachers/bus drivers/administrators that are being affected by this? It would go a long way toward repairing the damage to morale and professional relationship that has occured.

[Im Right]

!

This post has been edited by Im Right: 11 October 2009 - 08:14 PM

[PC_Blue]

Ok, so we're making up all 3 flood days on the following days - Oct. 16, Dec. 21, and June 9. That means we have had only 1 furlough day (preplanning), but our pay has been decreased to reflect 3 furlough days. Will we be reimbursed, or will we actually get 2 more days off somehow? I'm confused as to how this will work.

[lovekandj]

Ok, so we're making up all 3 flood days on the following days - Oct. 16, Dec. 21, and June 9. That means we have had only 1 furlough day (preplanning), but our pay has been decreased to reflect 3 furlough days. Will we be reimbursed, or will we actually get 2 more days off somehow? I'm confused as to how this will work.

I was told that they were 'banking' the days for next year, meaning that they'd keep the money for now in case we have a furlough day (or 3) in the future. That was what got PAGE and GAE involved, according to the notice we got from them. Apparently, while it may seem logistical, it's not altogether legal.

[PC_Blue]

I was told that they were 'banking' the days for next year, meaning that they'd keep the money for now in case we have a furlough day (or 3) in the future. That was what got PAGE and GAE involved, according to the notice we got from them. Apparently, while it may seem logistical, it's not altogether legal.

That's crazy! What if someone chooses to leave the county next year? What happens to their "banked" pay? This whole thing just isn't right.

[lovekandj]

That's crazy! What if someone chooses to leave the county next year? What happens to their "banked" pay? This whole thing just isn't right.

I'm sorry--I didn't clarify; this would be for Jan-June 2010.

Still, the fact remains that they are holding our money, rather than giving it back to us.

With the furlough days taken out, on top of the new insurance premiums and percentages going up, I can see why teacher morale at the county level is where it is.

I guess it could be worse. At least we're not bus drivers, who are required to be at an 8 hour meeting on a day that they'd been told we would have off, and then told that if we missed that meeting, we'd have to pay to get the training another day (on top of taking personal leave).

This post has been edited by lovekandj: 11 October 2009 - 08:00 PM

[workingforaliving]

No. On the original school calendar we only had 2. They added the 3rd day as a "make up" day for the flood day.

Ok, so we're making up all 3 flood days on the following days - Oct. 16, Dec. 21, and June 9. That means we have had only 1 furlough day (preplanning), but our pay has been decreased to reflect 3 furlough days. Will we be reimbursed, or will we actually get 2 more days off somehow? I'm confused as to how this will work.

This is MY issue.....we took 3 flood days. I'm okay with making them up as I don't expect to get paid if I don't work.....but they have scheduled 4 make up days....the 3 you listed and 1 to be left to the principal.

[Kim Cobb PCSB Post 3]

PAGE and GAE lawyers have sent a statement to the Paulding County School Board, and the lawyers are looking into the situation from a general standpoint, as well as individual circumstances.

We have YET to be told anything official from the county, instead getting staggered emails from our principals. The serious amount of professional disrespect is disgusting.

One thing I was thinking yesterday--where has Kim Cobb been? She was elected because people thought they'd have an actual voice on the school board, and when she was running for office, she was all about getting involved, and promised to stay on if she was elected. I'm irritated that she has been completely absent from these discussions.

In the open meeting, I specifically ask for the communication to be directed to everyone at every level so that all would receive the same information from the same source. I am disappointed that this did not happen and promise to address it. Thank you for the input.

[lovekandj]

In the open meeting, I specifically ask for the communication to be directed to everyone at every level so that all would receive the same information from the same source. I am disappointed that this did not happen and promise to address it. Thank you for the input.

I appreciate that you saw the 'bat signal' or whatever it was that brought you here.

[workingforaliving]

Kim----

The reality is that teachers in Paulding are TIRED. First furloughs, then no news on our check until a week or two before we got it, then we're unfurloughed (so to speak) to make up the flood days.

The LACK of communication is killing us all, specifically when it impacts our PAY. The information *I* received from administration is NOT what ended up happening in regards to our pay. I feel that the BOE needs to do a better job of making sure that information is correctly communicated.

The BOE is going to have their work cut out mending broken trust between them and their teachers.

[lovekandj]

Kim----

The reality is that teachers in Paulding are TIRED. First furloughs, then no news on our check until a week or two before we got it, then we're unfurloughed (so to speak) to make up the flood days.

The LACK of communication is killing us all, specifically when it impacts our PAY. The information *I* received from administration is NOT what ended up happening in regards to our pay. I feel that the BOE needs to do a better job of making sure that information is correctly communicated.

The BOE is going to have their work cut out mending broken trust between them and their teachers.

You just encompassed what 2000+ other teachers have been feeling the last few days, so I won't even try to add to it, other than to highlight the most important (yet, most ignored) point.

[Kim Cobb PCSB Post 3]

We keep referring to the BOE. Isn't it all on Ragsdale's shoulders? He is really the "Boss".

I think it is unfair to make changes "mid-stream". The teachers should have some rights but once again are being dumped on. Stick to the original calender. Possibly make up any days later in the year with more time to plan changes.

Adding days into the "summer" was the only other option even mentioned. Some employees would be just as affected by that also. The short notice was discussed and not in a positive factor.

The BOE, meaning the elected board, is charged with voting on board policy, hiring the superintendant, and voting on the recommendations of the superintendant. We are not responsible for making the recommendations.

[Kim Cobb PCSB Post 3]

I appreciate that you saw the 'bat signal' or whatever it was that brought you here.

Thank you. There is no secret code. Just message me on here so I get an email, email me at kimberlycobb@bellsouth.net or my cell is 770-597-8211. In order to best represent the community I cannot remain on p.com 24/7, but I am always open to receiving input from everyone. I imagine if you asked someone who has contacted me they will tell you that I work extremely hard to get back as quickly as possible.

[lovekandj]

Adding days into the "summer" was the only other option even mentioned. Some employees would be just as affected by that also. The short notice was discussed and not in a positive factor.

The BOE, meaning the elected board, is charged with voting on board policy, hiring the superintendant, and voting on the recommendations of the superintendant. We are not responsible for making the recommendations.

Then the BOE should have stopped right there and asked for input from other sources. There are at least 5 different options that are not only possible, but a lot less detrimental to teachers who are now scrambling to cancel reservations, doctor appts, etc.

Again, why is it not an option to have teachers track their time over the course of conference week and allow them to make up at least one day that way? Can you bring that up as a possibility at the board meeting on the 13th?

Thank you. There is no secret code. Just message me on here so I get an email, email me at kimberlycobb@bellsouth.net or my cell is 770-597-8211. In order to best represent the community I cannot remain on p.com 24/7, but I am always open to receiving input from everyone. I imagine if you asked someone who has contacted me they will tell you that I work extremely hard to get back as quickly as possible.

Yes, well, for teachers that rather difficult to do, as there is somewhat of a 'secret code' in that we are not allowed to jump ahead of the chain of command--meaning we've always been told to never go directly to a board member about a concern.

I commend those teachers who did contact you, but having seen someone almost lose their job a few years ago for something similar, I'm not about to stick my neck out there.

[sutler]

There has already been many acts of mistrusts teachers and adminstraters and all of this just reinforces what many have said for months/years. There is a lot of "unfairness" toward certain teachers or areas in the schools. Many teachers are about to give it all up and move when a job comes open.

[katcol]

There has already been many acts of mistrusts teachers and adminstraters and all of this just reinforces what many have said for months/years. There is a lot of "unfairness" toward certain teachers or areas in the schools. Many teachers are about to give it all up and move when a job comes open.

Does the board have any concern at all that it could become very difficult to get decent teachers out here? Once again, who suffers for this oversight? You got it. Our little ones. Every time, it's our children that pay the ultimate price. For the board, or Mr. Ragsdale, to treat the teachers of this county with such disrespect, it seems to indicate that they could care less who they have to hire to be such a huge part of our children's lives.

There is no person on the planet that wants to feel disposable. It doesn't take that much effort to avoid treating people this way. If it's too difficult of a job, one should walk away.

Personal vent: I am so sick to death of the hush-hush, secret code, behind closed doors, "we own this" attitude of this BOE and all who join them in maintaining it. Don't dare have a teacher come to them for ideas, compliments, criticism. How dare they...they're just the backbone of the whole production! If this establishment is to be serving the public, so be it. Otherwise go work for a private company and wallow in your power all day, every day. If you are here for the teachers and the administration and the parents but best of all the kids, don't do in the dark what you would be ashamed to do in the daylight! Make it public, involve the public, invite your teachers to be INCLUDED rather than dare them to come.

Just for the record, we've only had one need to contact each and every board member. Kim Cobb took our concerns seriously and literally put herself in our shoes. Just sayin...

[fishnthec]

I am also concerned about the rumored upcoming furlough days for the Jan-June time period. If it IS to be, then why not tell everyone now. My principal told us in a meeting that 3-6 more furlough days are being considered. Teachers are being hit hard this year, but what about the others...the support staff? We make very little money for what we do already. If we have more furlough days, it is asking us to work for a ridiculously minimal salary. I to keep hearing, "Be happy you have a job." I am lucky in that my pay is not what feeds my family so I think that the school system should be happy that I still choose to stay and continue to do my best for the child that I work with. However, there are MANY paras that LIVE on their salary. How are they supposed to do that with more furloughs?

Oh, and I am glad to see Kim Cobb posting on here to answer questions; especially since we are discouraged from using PCom.