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What? I am getting 6 weeks paid vacation? That is awesome. I have taught for 19 years in Harford County and I have never had a paid summer vacation before. Thank you Tim for granting me this paid vacation. By the way, if you can recognize this as sarcasm, thank your teachers. For the record, teachers are not on a 6 week paid vacation. Also, Tim, I do feel your teachers did fail you at some point in your academic career when neglected to instruct you the importance of research when trying to persuade the readers to side with your argument.

Well Tony, Obviously you are not a Math teacher. If you are greedy and take your $43-$48K over 9 months, then you don't get paid during the summer because you already have all of the money. You have the option of taking your pay spread out over the year. So for the 6 weeks you have off, why don't you come and work beside me? See if you can hack it in the real world. I'll pay you based on merit. If you earn our company money, I will pay you, if you do not I wont. They say that those that can't cut it out here in the real world.....teach. Oh BTW, you teachers make more than I do. I had to take a pay cut to stay in business. Do you read (or can you) the newspapers?

@Tim

Mr. Blackburn would have us believe that teachers have an annual or yearly contract the specifies an annual salary for a specific amount of calendar days and the six weeks off in the summer are unpaid.

And he is technically correct, however we all know that teachers have an attractive annual salary, pension and healthcare with the added benefit off lots of unpaid time-off not only in the summer but also during holidays and school breaks.

A teacher's schedule is a dream schedule for most of the rest of us.

Well Said Hans....Mr. Blackburn also makes additional money to coach. I volunteered as a coach for 12 years. No pay. I also volunteer at other County services and functions. No pay. Sorry, Mr Blackburn, I am sure you are a great teacher and coach, but your argument in 2012 just is not valid. If you don't like it here in unfair Maryland, go to Wisconsin....Oh wait!

This is not a technical point. I do not get paid in the summer. What I chose do with my personal finances is of no concern to anyone else. I do not get paid by Harford County Public Schools over the summer. It should not be said that teachers do get paid. That is an incorrect statement. Tim, I can not understand your logic in debate to insult me and call me greedy and question my math skills because you chose to make erroneous statement. In addition, I would have to question the wisdom of working for you if you having trouble making ends meet in Harford County “in 2012.” See, I chose to take your advice and I did do a bit a reading (thanks for the tip) and I found out a couple of really interesting things. First, Sheila Watkins, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ Mid-Atlantic regional commissioner, noted that Harford County recorded the largest employment gain in Maryland, up 2.8 percent over the year. And then since I liked this whole reading thing so much (thanks again, Tim) I read that four of Maryland’s eight large counties recorded wage increases larger than the national advance of 3.0 percent from the second quarter of 2010 to the second quarter of 2011. The wage advances in two of these counties ranked in the top 30 among the 322 largest counties in the U.S., with Harford County placing 3rd nationally and 1st in the state of Maryland with a wage gain of 8.8%. It is amazing the things that you can read about.

Tony - You are areal piece aren't you. As arrogant on paper as you are on the side line. I have no idea what made up statistics you found and dont really care. I live and work here in the county with real people. All of us are struggling. We pay higher expenses, thanks O'Malley and we take home less. How you carve up your internal finances is upto you, but you are very fairly compensated for the product that is produced by your school. Your just part of the team. If your kids are lighting the world on fire, show me. Show me how successful they are because of you. They are your product. Are you proud of them? Go into downtown Bel Air, and knock on the store owners doors and tell them how unfair you are being treated. Ask them how they are doing? According to you they are doing absolutely great. Just ask. You should be ashamed. Enjoy your summer off.

Now I am totally confused Tim. You challenged me to read. I believe your quote was “Do you read (or can you) the newspapers?” Now that wasn’t a very civil thing to say, but I took your advice and I told you what I had found and I told you where I found it. My information comes directly from the United States Department of Labor. I don’t think that United States Department of Labor is in the business of “making up facts.” Then you insult my research and insult me, personally. Why am I arrogant? Do you consider me arrogant because I am able to support my argument with facts and because I am not ashamed to state these facts? This is how adults debate. Resorting to name calling cheapens your message.

Also, Tim, anecdotal data is weakest tool in debate. It requires no research and it can’t be proven. It is funny that you mention “knock on store owners doors in downtown Bel Air” to see what they say. I was at a local business right in “downtown Bel Air” recently and I was talking to the owner. We started talking about work and I told him what I did. It turns out his daughter was actually a student in one of my classes and he told me how much she enjoyed the class, and what a quality education he felt that she was getting at the school. That is an honest story. Now, I am not foolish enough to believe that every parent shares the same point of view as this gentleman. My point is, for every sad story you have, I can tell you a happy story. But ultimately facts don’t lie, and the facts of the matter are Harford County is growing at a very healthy rate, according to the US Department of Labor.

http://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=z1ebjpgk2654c1_&met_y=unemployment_rate&idim=county:PA240200&fdim_y=seasonality:U&dl=en&hl=en&q=unemployment+rate+harford+county

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/obamacare-and-rising-health-insurance-premiums/2012/04/01/gIQAJFGZpS_blog.html

So I just posted 2 website url's proving my point. Bottom Line is You have no argument Mr. Blackburn. Even if we all make more money than you, that doesn't just entitle you to demand more money. If the county doesn't have it they don't have it. Based on everything I have read from non teachers, you have no supporters. I'm surprised you didnt get egged while you were picketing. I love teachers and some are great, but many just are terrible and phone it in. It would be pretty easy to farm your Job out to India and have teachers teleconference. They all we need is hall monitors. India teaches there kids better than we can teach ours.

Very good Tim, now those are some good facts. I can certainly agree that from an employment level we are not at the same level we were in the wonderful Clinton era. Those were heady times for the American Economy, indeed. A simple analysis of your chart shows the damage done to the US economy during the Bush years and I am sure we can all agree that under the economic leadership of President Obama America is trending on the right path to reducing unemployment.
In fact, we are at the level of employment where we were in the mid 1990s and the overall wages earned in the Harford County have never been higher. In fact, Harford County will see an increase of $6.4 million in income tax revenue. In the mid 1990's Harford County never froze teacher's steps or denied them a COLA. I find it curious now, in 2012 which you and I have both demonstrated are really much better economic times that Harford County decides to freeze all salaries of county employees and teachers.
Also, Harford County routinely overcharges its employees on their insurance premiums. i believe last year they overcharged by $8 million (please don't quote me on that figure) and then reimbursed about $700,000 for "overcharges." What happened to the rest of the money?

Tony Blackburn is an "Entitlement Baby". He thinks he deserves more because he wants more. He views money in county coffers and citizens pockets as his.

Blackburn cannot be reasoned with since he lives in a surreal "Entitlement Universe".

What Blackburn can't accept is that tide is turning activist taxpayers are rising up saying enough is enough. We give government more and more and in return we get less and less. These "entitlement Babies" strive to maintain the status quo of government institutionalized largess and spendthriftiness.

Gentlemen, it is always about names and violence with you two. Why should I be egged for merely exercising one of my constitutional rights. I may not agree with your ideas, but I would never try to shout you down, or call you names or threaten you with a drive by egging (or suggest others do anthing of that nature). Where has civility gone within public discourse?
I would agree that I could be considered an "Entitlement Baby," but I think that our definitions are different. I do believe that Harford County is entitled to honor the contract that we both entered into and restore our agreed upon salary steps. Hans, the only way you are giving the HArford County Government "more and more" is if your income has increased during these "hard economic times." In fact, your property value taxes have either decreased or remained steady over the past 4 years. Tim, your statement that "Even if we all make more money than you, that doesn't just entitle you to demand more money. If the county doesn't have it they don't have it" is once again incorrect. If "you all" make more money then the Harford County Govt. will have more money due to the collection of taxes on the increased income, and I do have the right to expect an increase in my wages due to the fact that HCPS has agreed to pay for my salary step increases.

Tim, I am with you 100% , my husband is a state employee , he has not had a raise , his department has been cut and are insurance cost has increased . Some teachers are great , some teachers suck at being a teacher . There are plenty of people looking for jobs and would be more then willing to take their job . The children are being left alone in the classroom now becasue the teachers refuse to go inside till their start time , maybe the board should ask the union to add the clause they must report to their works station , classroom 15 mins prior to start time like the rest of the real world . They are going to end up worse then what they are now if they continue , bottom line . Maryland will just follow what other states have done . I myself have signed the petition not to give them raises at this point . I have to fund their pension now , but I will not fund their raises . This is not the right time to do this with so many people out of work - bottom line . The petition is online and will be presented to the board and state - DO NOT GRANT RAISES TO HARFORD COUNTY TEACHERS AT THIS TIME !!

@Carol - I am sure everyone would like the link to sign the petition. Could you post it here please. I'm sorry the teachers are suffering like the rest of us, but if there is no money in the budget, than there is no money in the budget.

Tim, the petition is on Facebook and change.org basically its is a petition for them NOT to be given raises and if need be do what some states have done - fire them all , and give people who really want a job the chance, think about it they can hire all new teachers and save money at the same time . All teachers is this county are not angels or saints . There should be criminal background checks on all of them including prinicipals etc . Trust me if they did that over 25% of them would be fired , take some names of teachers, pricipals and go to maryland case search , hell you even have teachers dating students and end up getting married after they turn 18 and graduate , YES IT HAS HAPPENED . DO MARYLAND CASE SEARCH , do I want my child to have a teacher that has had 4 DUI, or a teacher that has been charged with child endangerment, child abduction and on criminal probation Umm No . And yes I know I have mis-spelled words here but I am doing this as quickly as I can because I am on break at work .

YEARLY BACKGROUND CHECKS

Carol, It is nice to have you join our conversation. On behalf of all teachers I would also like to that you for asking the Board of Education to give teachers an additional 10 minutes off each day. You say, "maybe the board should ask the union to add the clause they must report to their works station , classroom 15 mins prior to start time like the rest of the real world ." Well, teachers work day begins 20 minutes before any type of homeroom offically begins. In high schools teachers must be at their duty stations by 7am & HR begins at 720. In elementary schools teachers should be at their duty station by 8:30am & HR begins at 8:50 and in middle schools homeroom begins at 8:05 am with teachers reporting at 7:45am. So, as you can see teachers are already on duty 5 minutes earlier than "the rest of the real world." Also, at the end of the day the teacher's negotiated agreement requires them to stay 20 minutes after the dismissal of the students. So, if students are really being "left alone in classrooms" it is because they are being dropped off before the schools actually open.
So, in regard to your kind request to have 5-10 minutes eliminated from the teacher's daily schedule I would personally like to thank you, but ask that you not make this request. I agreed to to arrive 20 minutes early and stay 20 minutes late & I intend to honor the agreement I made with HCPS, even if they choose not to honor the agreement they made with me. Thanks for your support Carol.

You could not have picked a worse example to cite when trying to illustrate the terrible timing of "work to rule." What terrible things did the teachers do during the graduations? What disturbances have been going on that have disrupted graduations? In fact, the extra work that teachers put in during the graduation time is the perfect example of these people going beyond their contractual expectations for the greater good of the community. Graduations continue to run smoothly BECAUSE of the extra work put in by teachers. In reality, while it is illegal for teachers to strike, there is nothing that says that teachers in the schools have to do anything to help with graduation. Teachers could have chosen to skip graduation and there is nothing legally wrong with that. It is just naturally assumed by the public that teachers will be there to make sure that each student's graduation is a night to remember for each family. Teachers don't have to do this, but they chose to do it because they all understand that they are the best people for the job. Teachers understand the difference between something doing the right thing legally and morally, and in most instances the teachers of Harford County will do the right thing morally.

@Tony Blackburn

Some teachers get great satisfaction from taking their bow at graduation ceremonies, others attend because they would be conspicuous by their absence.

There is no moral basis for attendance.

Hans, I would tend to disagree with you on that point, but in reality I have no way of proving it. So, even if I would (begrudgingly) withdraw the notion that all teachers are motivated by a purely moral idea of right and wrong, the fact still remain that graduations could not happen without the extra work of teachers. None of the teachers actions have harmed graduations. I have been at 3 graduations this past week and I have only witnessed teachers acting in the highest of professional manners. For "sef" to suggest otherwise is incorrect and insulting. There have ZERO demonstrations at graduation by teachers. I will suggest that this has been done out of respect for the institiution of the graduation ceremony and the students. Hans, I am sure you will suggest that teachers behaved for other, more selfish reason.

Im not a senior im a junior but most my friends are seniors and its kinda funny you bring that up because tons the students in the senior class (actually tons of students in the school) are actually supportive of the picketing.

I forgot to mention, My daughter is a teacher and I have taught College courses. I am well aware of how hard it is to be a teacher and I respect what teachers do. With that being said, I used to make way more than teachers do and I will again, but when the economy is down and my employees need to pay there bills, I forgo my pay so they get theirs. Are you willing to forgo your pay so some of your kids can eat dinner? People may not be openly sharing all of their hardships. Tomorrow, ask a show of hands of how many kids no someone that has lost there job in last 3 years. Thats the real unemployment number. Count your blessings and rededicate yourself. If you work harder, maybe us tax payers will goto bat for you.

@Tim- As I no longer teach, and never intend to return due to the way teachers are treated, I will not be able to rededicate myself to the job. That being said, when I was teaching there was no way possible for me to work harder. I gave it absolutely everything I had, as do most of the teachers I know. Of course there are those that don't do their job well. In my experience, those teachers are the minority. Good teachers who work extremely hard for their students are the majority, especially in this county.

Granted the last few years have been hard on everyone, teachers included. They aren't asking for anything more than what was promised to them when they signed their contracts. Teachers have families too. Many of my friends have more than one job (and did prior to the economic down turn) to make ends meet for their families AND they continue to meet the needs of their students. Not only do they teach them, they mother (or father) them, love them, build them up and so much more. Although I am sure you know all this, considering your daughter is a teacher.

90% of the teachers think they are good teachers. In reality (based on my experience when I was a student) only 20% of my teachers met or exceeded my expectations.

As a former teacher I can promise you there is a little more to it than picking up a shovel.

I don't spend much time here. Clearly your comments are intended to be inflammatory rather than intelligent conversation based on any kind of first hand knowledge or even fact. Not to worry, I will not make the mistake of acknowledging such comments again.

Hans is not being inflammatory, that's just a saying. It means we know and understand what teachers do. Lisa, dont give up. Please convince me why and what the teachers are protesting. We are saying it is hard times for all, so the teachers have to wait it out a little longer. I respect teachers for what they do, but dont even try to tell me they have anything to complain about. Work harder and put America back on top. We used to have one of the best school systems in the world. Not what, are'nt we like 30th! Pathetic. Fix it, don't complain about it.

@Tim

It's appalling the lack of respect and contempt teachers have for non-teachers.

I don't teach Wood Shop. I taught Graduate level programming and my daughter is a teacher. She does work hard damn hard, but after school she looked for a teaching job for 2 years because jobs were frozen. So she is EXTREMELY grateful for health insurance and benefits and she gets paid very well. During the 2 years she looked for work, she learned just how hard the job market is, and I had to pay her Health Insurance. Lots and lots of holidays and paid days off and she has her summers. I think my daughter deserves a merit raise because she out performs her peers. She wont get one. That's what she signed up for.

So since your married to a fine teacher, during the last 4 years have you had a raise when she didn't get one? Do you pay more for Health Insurance or are you covered by that great Teacher's plan? Does she have off more than you? I'm sure your a great employee also. Is she being treated unfairly compared to the people around you?

I just dont see your point. I guess you just want more money because cost of living is going up. Well ME Too. IF you don't like it, tell your wife to teach somewhere else where she will be treated more fairly. Give me the name of the school she leaves, so I can tell my daughters friends who still cant find a teaching job after 4 years, so they can apply. In fact, I bet any one of them will work for 10% less than the county pays your wife. Count your Blessings.

I have a Harford County Edumacation.

FYI, This is about a contract that was not honored, not greed.

No Leslie you do not , in fact they will be taking more money from you to fund their pension . They should be thankful they have a job , period ..

I don't have any children either, but I know that an educated populace is a benfit to society as a whole. Many younger teachers' pensions wil undoubtedly be even less valuable than the current one it. I could not live on the size of the pension they receive, I suggest that those of you who think teaching is such a cushy job try subbing for a few days. I recommend middle school. I don't know any teachers who work their 7 or so hours and then call it a day. Those summers off? They have to go to graduate school. A masters degree is expected of teachers. And - teachers are not the only factors in their "product" - the parents with attitudes like those of some of these commenters have the kids longer than the teachers do and then want teachers to fix everything wrong with the kids. Teachers more than earn their money. I don't know why anyone goes into education anymore. It is hard, emotionally draining, and they have to put with a bunch of ignoramuses who think the teachers have it easy. No, I am not a teacher. But I respect the job they do and they should be given what they were promised. Go after the really overpaid people in Harford County - the federal employees who make 60 and 70K for doing next to nothing and take their hour and a half 30 minute lunch breaks. The feds send them to schoo, pay for it and give them work time off to attend class. Put your choler where it belongs.

I'm glad your son is doing great. My son did great here also, straight A's, but when it came to compete against kids from other counties and private schools at the college level, we realized just how far behind he fell. So, who's fault is that. If he was getting A's here at public school, why is he behind his new classmates. Something to think about.

I think the point is that the contract that they signed is not being honored by the other party, while many teachers go above and betond what is contractually necessary. They were aware of what the pay was, and signed a contract that stipulated a certain increase each year. That increase has not been provided. Therefore, rather than dishonoring THEIR contractual obligations (in the old 'two wrongs making a right' manner), these teachers are choosing to protest by following their contracts to the letter- no more, no less. I do not understand why people are throwing so much venom at these teachers. If you had signed a contract and the other party did not honor it, you would try to remedy that, just as the teachers are doing.

Amen to that, let the new graduating class take over

lol

Its at ipetition.com , and again on facebook , it was started by harford county residents about the pensions fund and then they added the no raise part , I also agree depending how bad they want the raise yes they should picket till the matter is a mute issue .