It's been an interesting week on the ed beat. On Monday I posted an item about a Providence High teacher, listed on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools salary database as earning more than $69,000 a year, who hasn't worked in a decade.
It quickly became the most-read item I've ever posted, and generated enough public questions that both CMS and the teacher are providing explanations that had been withheld. Short answer: CMS and the teacher's lawyer agree he's actually getting worker's comp checks -- about $35,000 a year worth -- and not being paid by CMS. The salary listing is the amount he'd get if he returned, an unlikely prospect given that he's 71. (Update: On Friday CMS added a new "Rumor Has It" feature on its web site, debuting with a statement on the "phantom employee.")
The post also frustrated some of you. You knew or figured out the teacher's name. You had questions and speculation about the circumstances of his departure. And you wanted to post them.
Here's the thing: There is no indication that the teacher in question has done anything to scam the system. As it turns out, he was just the one CMS employee among some 200 currently on unpaid leave whose case dragged on long enough and got the attention to shine light on something employees have been wondering about for years.
Some of you will still think I was wrong to withhold his name. That's not surprising; it's a tough decision. In this case, understanding a public policy issue required access to confidential information beyond the salary listing. That doesn't make for tidy solutions.
I'm about to frustrate the active commenters more. The follow-up on the teacher will be published soon, along with a big piece on a Project LIFT school. And if you log on here to weigh in on those hot topics, you'll find that I have disappeared and turned off comments.
It's tempting to let everyone speculate about whether I've been fired, furloughed or whisked off by The New York Times (sigh -- OK, that last one never comes up). But the truth is this: I wasn't thinking about the cycles of education coverage when I planned my wedding in 1983. And now that my husband has put up with me for 30 years, I figure he deserves a nice anniversary trip. So weigh in today, and I'll rejoin the fray in mid-May.
Friday, May 3, 2013
The absent teacher and reader questions
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26 comments:
Happy anniversary!!
We'll be here when you get back.
So will the sorry state of public education which hasn't changed since 1983.
Enjoy your trip Ann! Sadly, there aren't nearly as many 30 year veterans as there were among our parent's generation. I'm sure that fact has no small impact on the current state of public education either. Few are willing to admit it, but single-parent households and absentee parents are a big part of the problem!
My issue wasn't that you withheld his name, that part I get. But don't withhold the name as to "protect their privacy" and then leave a trail of bread crumbs Ray Charles could follow. Kind of defeats the point of protecting that individual doesn't it?
Yay for you! Glad to read the update and have a blast!
Yes, Happy 30th anniversary! That seems to be quite the marital achievement nowadays.
Thanks for the update on the 'absent teacher'. $38k is better than $69k, but still have to wonder why he's not on some retirement level pay yet. Workers' comp to age 81, 91, 101?
Much of this week's speculation and frustration could have been avoided if CMS had just simply said that the database did not take into account any reductions due to workers comp, etc.
The question I continue to have about this issue is this: if the amount the teacher would earn if he returned is posted with the school's salary figures, is this position being "held" for him and counted against the school's allotment of teachers each year? Or is the principal able to hire a teacher to "replace" this position?
Have a good vacation. Ann & congratulations on your anniversary!
Well said both Wiley and John.
There is an endless supply of stories like the 200 on uupaid leave or the high fraud rate of FRL. For example, what do you do about the elementary students with felony convictions and CMS's policy to allow them in the general population of stduents. Or even worse, why does CMS allow convicted rapists high school students in the general population.
Why does CMS have such low regard for the safety of its employees and students?
Have fun Ann! I always enjoy your reporting, especially your blog as it gives the type of reporting from decades past. Enjoy your time off!
9:09, CMS says the decision to replace people on unpaid leave is made on a case by case basis, and this teacher has been replaced. So no, no position is being held open.
Missouri, elementary kids with felonies? Like 11-year-olds and younger?
8:35, I agree. CMS was in a difficult position being asked about an individual who was covered by confidentiality. But it would have helped if they'd explained that in general, people who are on worker's comp are not being paid by CMS but will still have a salary listed that reflects what they'd get when they return.
My divorce is final today after 23 years of marriage. Executive bank widow syndrome.
I think the sorry state of education has a lot to due with the sorry state of a lot of marriages. God, marriage and then children. I thought that was supposed to be the order of things.
Happy 30th anniversary, Ann.
Ann,
Which is why we should never blindly accept CMS Voodoo Data on any
subject.
Happy Anniversary, Ann!!
Yes, some 11 year olds have felony convictions. Bringing a gun to school will result in that. You could probably get that data from DPI as it has to be reported to the state. However, they are usually sent to alternative schools. I don't know of a case where they are returned to the general population of public schools, but it could slip through the cracks if they moved around a lot.
Thanks for the good wishes. Ciao for now!
The previous poster stated:
“I don't know of a case where they( 11 year olds who have felony convictions) are returned to the general population of public schools, but it could slip through the cracks if they moved around a lot.” Try Project Lift. Oh yeah..have a great anniversary.
Happy Anniversary Ann!!! I'm sure your email box will be overflowing when you return.
So your article says that at the time of the teacher's accident at Providence the earnings then at age 61 were $59,900. but on the current list he (now 71) is listed at a high salary of $69,369. Just curious,but seeing as how he reached retirement age while out on leave and the potential salary if he were to now return is higher (CMS gave raises last year after none for may years) which salary does his retirement get based on? and why would he still be receiving worker's compensation rather than pension? How does these factors affect the budget?
Hi Ann
Congratulations on your 30th anniversary. I wish you many more! When you come back, please ask for an update on the teacher compensation plan and why it has not been sent out to all teachers for feedback.
Also, have you heard how the district is planning to have teachers grade the constructed responses for the state Measures of Student Learning tests? Teachers of the students will be grader #1 and one of their department colleagues will be grader number 2 using a rubric supplied by the state.
There has been no standardization of grading procedures, security is an issue, and natural tendencies to help someone you like and not someone you dislike may come into play. Student identifying information will also be available which may add bias in the grading process.
It is unfair for colleagues to be used in this manner to affect Standard VI of the evaluation instrument which will determine future employ-ability of their fellow teachers.
The state is not providing any pay to these teachers when they have provided pay to those grading tests in the past. This really stinks on a lot of levels!
The real problem here is that you published a story that you must have known was going to be extreamly controversial and got many people, invluding myself, angry, without fully researching the issue. The teacher was not being paid by CMS and the school has replaced the "absent teacher". The story should never have been published in it's original form. This was poor journalism.
Hope your trip has been fabulous!
I feel the big concern is that the school has been holding this position for 11 years. That means that either those students have a substitute to the students have been added to other teachers' rosters resulting in a larger class size. Each individual school must hold a position vacant for such teachers. This is an extreme burden on small schools or small departments within a school. I understand that CMS is not directly paying the salaries, but the students are still being impacted.
May 12, I have heard many of those same things about the grading of MSLs. I was trying to flesh out a story on that before I left and will resume the chase.
While you were away CMS dismissed then he quit chief of security Bud Cessna. Check into that ANN. Too many rumors since CMS made no public statement. He was suspended then he "resigned" and its never been followed up on. Boy that PR department at CMS they do wonders for creating Trust in the community.
Yeah, I saw that and do not know the back story (from what I read, they actually suspended him pending an investigation, then he retired). We'll see what I can find out.
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