How To Pay Teachers? Forum Tuesday Nov 15 In Pocahontas

6-7 p.m 

Tuesday, November 15

You can offer your opinion on how teachers should be paid and other aspects of the Governor's proposed changes  (pdf; 18 pages, Oct 3, 2011) to Iowa schools November 15 at the the Pocahontas Library.  The one hour forum is being hosted by the two state senators who represent us: Democrats Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg and Daryl Beall of Fort Dodge.  Kibbie has represented us for ten years and technically still does. But Beall will be our senator under the newly redistricted map of 2011.

Much of what the Republican Governor has proposed is controversial:  New tests for kindergarten kids?  Require the SAT for seniors?  Replace the Iowa Basic Skills Test?  Curtail public pre-school? 

And on teacher pay:  Is this a way to kill collective bargaining?  A way to raise pay? How can teachers be only 80% teachers and also be 20% mentors?

As Desmoinesdem reported on her blog:

"Note: the teacher pay changes are likely to be among the most controversial Branstad administration proposals. For more details on how the system would work, read pages 5 and 6 of the blueprint (pdf). The idea is to have a new "statewide pay system with local flexibility." Starting teacher salaries would be higher, and current teachers could choose whether to stay in "step and lane" or switch to the new system. Master and mentor teachers would be paid significantly more, but those will be limited to 5 percent and 15 percent of the teaching staff, respectively. "  

For a look at how teacher pay and tenure would change read "Branstad to seek new teacher pay system for Iowa (updated) " 

One hour is not enough to digest this topic.  With local schools consolidating and jumping on the laptop bandwagon, this should be a stimulating meeting.  See you there.