dohnt geve dem ah dyme, scwool es ohverrahted.

Many teachers in our district have worked in the corporate world and have experienced What Teachers Teach listed.I know one specifically who worked 27 years for a major US corporation, and decided she wanted to make a difference rather than make CEOs and stockholders richer. Give these teachers some credit.

What a huge embarrassment, I would love to work 190 a year with a pension plan, medical and automatic raises despite poor performance. It's the taxpayers that are funding their paychecksnnot themselves.

It is pretty obvious by these posts that the least educated about the reality of our teachers and our schools have the most to say. If you get your information on education from Fox News and other union busting sources you really are just parrots chattering back words you have heard. Get some knowledge before complaining about things you have no first hand knowledge of. It is funny that at a time when union membership is at an all time low due to "right to work" laws and other union busting tactics, the right claims unions are the problem.

Interesting twist to this. Let us state that teachers are amazing but teachers unions are devilish. So if you can read this and respond, thank a teacher. If you can't, blame the union.

Now that we have that out if the way, it is remarkable that the GT BOE can not come to an agreement with the teachers but have created a six figure salary position for a local GT politician. Can this be verified. We know the answer but want others to look into this as well. We are watching.

An individual teacher is a wonderful mentor and friend but mix in the njea and you've got a group of lazy worthless people who are their to advance their careers and paycheck by using the children. I've known great and bad teachers in my time here in gt, the worst ones have always been the ones who are deep in the union who do the bare minimum then leave to drink at skeeters.

Teachers and other publics have no idea of what is fair? Fair to who? Try working in the real world so you can experience what it is really like. Teachers have shorter work days, more paid time off, more paid holidays, summer off (without pay) but work at tutoring and other things while their health insurance is paid for and let's not forget that they can never lose their jobs once tenured even if they stink at teaching! The NJEA has been the enemy of public education through the years. Maybe the union will wave union dues and that can count as a raise instead of sucking the taxpayers dry. Stoop whining and start teaching something meaningful so that our kids have a chance in the real world.

Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength of the nation." -- John F. Kennedy

Is the guy who is wearing shorts in the one photo a teacher or a model? Very handsome!

Paul, Would you like to expand on your comment about the School Board Meeting and the Keystone Cops?

I happen to be one of those GT teachers who have worked in the corporate world – Wall Street & sales to be specific. I also worked in the social working field. While it is true that many teachers begin their career right out of college, many of my colleagues have also worked several years in the corporate world prior to teaching. I decided to go into teaching knowing that I would not get rich. It took many years before I finally matched my last “corporate” salary. I don’t complain about it because I chose that path. People go into teaching because they feel they can make a difference in children’s lives and hopefully help to strengthen our country.

Sure I get many holidays and the summer “off”. However, I do not get paid for my summers off. If I want money in the summer, I need to work or save at least 20% of my bi-monthly paycheck to help get my family through that time. How many people have to do that? People knock teachers for in service days. Most corporate jobs require training days for their workers. We get four each year. Our contract offers us benefits. We are now required to pay into them – so that is a moot point for those who use that as an excuse to belittle teachers. We will negotiate for what we feel is a fair salary and the board will counter. It will all be worked out. The trick is keeping it civil. Continued ...

With all of your attacking each other, none of you have answered the question of why have our teachers been working for six months without a contract. What points are the BOE and the union disagreeing on? Can someone please comment on this factually?

The comment about a patronage job is also very troubling. I have friends in the district who are angered by this. Earlier today I called the school district offices and confirmed that Vice-President of Gloucester Township Council was hired as the Supervisor of Student Support Services.

At a time when the BOE is crying poor, my teacher friends are looking at this high-paying patronage hire and are openly questioning the sincerity and the judgment of the BOE.

Sorry GTTeach but I don't believe for one minute that you worked on Wall Street. Our kids are the bottom of the barrel when it comes to other countries. Don't feel sorry for you not one bit. The taxes you pay are a wash as they pay for your salary and benefits. The average retirement pay out over a lifetime will be over a million and half dollars for the average teacher. Education had to be one of the easiest majors in college. Stop whining and teach our kids about finance and WHY our taxes are so high. You can choose to buy something at a store whereas we are held hostage by overpaid underperforming teachers. Are you trying to convince us or yourself ?

Run for GTPS BOE seats

A GT Councilman, Democrat politician too, now a school employee? Conflict of Interest?

Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year! It's time we put thing in perspective and pay them for what they do - babysit! We can get that for minimum wage. That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That ...would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to......... 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan-- that equals 6 1/2 hours). Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day. However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations. LET'S SEE.... That's $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year. Wait a minute -- there's something wrong here! There sure is!

The average teacher's salary (nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days = $277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) WHAT A DEAL!!!!

Heaven forbid we take into account highly qualified teachers or NCLB...

Mel: does anyone know why the Vice President of Council left Stockton for a local school district job? He was at Stockton for quite a while.

Where can I find the facts - What is the Union asking for? What is the district offering?

Rumor has it the union and teachers are in the state run benefit program and the corrupt Norcrsts on the GT BOE wang them to use the George Norcross plan. We are watching.

Oh and one other tidbit. Is it true that the GT superintendent is also acting as the district Business Administratior collecting 2 taxpayer salaries and padding his pension?

Sean and Patch need to find the answers to these questions.

During the November 12th special meeting of the BOE, they aboloished the position of Assistant Superintent and replaced with "Supervisor". Why would they need to hold a special session to change the position to just a supervisor? Why couldn't they wait a week or two until the regularly scheduled meeting?

Did they do this to oust the person currently in the role to make way for their political ally? What ties do Mr. Carr and Mrs. Coyle have to GT Council so they would do this?

I too would like Sean and Patch to find out the answers to these questions. Too many rumors and speculation.

From the meeting minutes of that night.

Resolution 1113-02

Motion by Mr. Carr, seconded by Mrs. Coyle that the following Resolution be
adopted:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education does herby abolish the Job
Description of Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services.

Roll Call Vote Ayes 8 Nays 0

Resolution 1113-04

Motion by Mr. Carr, seconded by Mrs. Coyle that the following Resolution be
adopted:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education does hereby approve the Job
Description of Supervisor of Student Support Services.

Roll Call Vote Ayes 8 Nays 0

The gt admnistration brass jumped ship last year.

At what point do we stop blaming teachers for low test scores and start pointing the finger at the breakdown of families and society in general for the lack of learning occurring in our schools. When I was young, my parents taught me about bullying, life skills, hygiene, relationships, sportsmanship, consequences, rewards and most of all, respect and accountability! Now all these are part of curriculums that teachers in public schools must address. There are state mandates being added all the time, requiring teachers to not only be educators, but counselors and in many cases surrogate parents! Charter and parochial schools do not have to follow these same mandates. How sad is is that a kid spends more time looking at his phone, iPod, hand-held gaming device etc,. then actually reading or God forbid, being involved in a family conversation? The students from Triton who went on to Ivy League schools, did so because their families valued education and taught their children to embrace all that their teachers and schools had to offer. I challenge anyone who thinks teachers are nothing but whiners always asking for more, to spend one day in a classroom observing. Are there unsatisfactory teachers out there? Absolutely! Unfortunately, the media reminds us every time, loud and clear when there is misconduct. But where are the stories about all the wonderful things happening in our schools everyday? How sad is it that we do not respect the teachers of our future!

We agree with Concerned citizen and ask that everyone look at the root of the evil in schools; the union and corrupt administrations. We respect and admire teachers and wish that good teachers were able to teach and not prepare for standardized tests. Again, stop blaming teachers for the ills of our schools and focus on the criminals in administration, unions and school boards.

Evil politicians and corrupt union officials have grown rich and powerful on the backs of taxpayers and teachers alike. While we concede that some teachers suck it is Aldo true of most every profession or walk of life. We say show love and respect to the honorable men and women who groom our next generation and we call on all to watch the corrupt and feckless politicians and administrators stealing from the public trust. Give the teachers a fair contract and stop giving jobs to friends political hacks and family. The superintendent of GT BOE is double dipping a paycheck and pension by acting as business administrator and superintendent.

We are legion, we are watching, we are coming...expect us.

What parent in their right mind would give up responsibility for their child because the school says so. This is EXACTLY what I am talking about! Let's all play the Blame Game! Did this parent throw up their arms and take it? I would have been at that school in a second because no one is responsible for my child but ME! Bottom line is students who want to learn will learn! Even in Camden's schools you will find scholarship students. This is the problem...everyone wants to make excuses.

Attention. Attention. StopComplaining says all is well. There is nothing to see here. Council VP Orlando Mercado did not get a political patronage job. The BOE is NOT loaded with political hacks, pension padders and Norcrats. The teacher have a new contract. The superintendent is not double dipping and the district has no political ties to the local democrat power base. That is all.

It was asked in a post earlier regarding BOE members Mr. Carr and Mrs. Coyle. Because StopComplaining likes to tell everyone what the "true facts" are, maybe they can fill us all in on these 2 board members. We know the answer but want StopComplaining to enlighten us all with their inside info. We are waiting.

StopComplaining wants us to, well stop complaining but admits they have no answers to our questions. We did not ask how or why Coyle and Carr voted, we wanted to know about the and their connection to council VP Orlando Mercado. We know the answer but want others to do their own due diligence. This way people discover the dirty truth on their own and can not accuse us of not having "true facts". We are still waiting, tell us all how you are so sure the superintendent is not bring paid for also being the business administrator but do not have basic facts about 2 elected officials. We await your reply. We are watching, we are coming. Expect us.

It seems that while StopComplaining wants to ridicule people for not having what they term "true facts", they have no facts. The superintendent is indeed doing 2 jobs and being remunerated accordingly. We have proof, it's public record. What StopComplaining also admits to is an ignorance if who Mrs. Coyle and Mr. Carr happen to be in relation to council VP Orlando Mercado. Allow us to illuminate everyone.

Mrs. Coyle is a township employee. She is the assistant to township solicitor Dave Carlamere and a member of the democrat committee. Mr. Mercado is a democrat councilman. Mrs Coyle also heads several democrat political action committees ir PACs along with GT Housing Authotity chairwoman Cindy Catlamere, wife of Dave, that fund Mr. Mercado's political campaigns as well as school board campaigns. See that little connection.

We are watching.

Mr. Carr is a Municipal Utilities Authority employee. The MUA is a democrat political patronage pit. Mr. Carr is also president of the GT Democrat Club and treasurer of the GT Democrat party. His wife Debbie is a township employee and democrat committeewoman. Democrat committee members pick council candidates. See the connection?

Oh and just for fun other members if the GT school board are just as connected politically. Mr. Fontanez is a member of the housing authority (Cindy Carlamere) and is the Undersherrif of Camden County who is accused of double dipping and pension padding. Mr. Collins has been a democrat candidate for mayor and Mr. Gunn was appointed to the Zoning Board by Mr. Mercado. See all of these connections. That is 4 out of seven who are connected and should be disqualified from voting on Orlando Mecado's made up political patronage job.

If anyone can refute these FACTS, we welcome your input.

We are watching, we are legion, we are coming...expect us.

How is it legal for an elected school board member to also be part of a PAC that funds candidates? Even if legal, isn't it unethical? What else has Mrs. Coyle done?

What kind of people are running our schools? Our children deserve better.

I quess we are at a stale mate Mel. It was Anon who said it was public record and true, so I have asked him to produce the figures. All anyone has to do is OPRA the info and get the true facts. All I can say is that I don't lie, so I know what I put in print is 100% accurate, unlike some others who post.