BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2016) —  THE PLANET wants you to read this carefully.

We present just some of the details contracted between the Pittsfield teachers union and the Pittsfield School Committee, also known as The Ship of Fools.

While reading the terms, keep in mind that the recent audit of the city confirmed huge trouble looming if the uncontrolled spending keeps up in light of a shrinking tax base, a diminishing and aging population, and the influx of deadbeats who consume vast municipal resources, contribute nothing, and worsen your quality of life.

One other point: Though the sagging Kathy “Lady Boots” Yon — on behalf of the PSC and allegedly representing You The Citizen — agreed to the contract with the teachers in September 2015, she didn’t make public the signing of the deal until the day after the 2015 election. That stands as the shining example of the arrogance school officials have toward you, the taxpayers. They know better than you, so keep your mouths shut, don’t attend public meetings, and pay up. Thus, through this ruinous contract, taxpayers  have already been hosed once by Lady Boots, Grandpa Munster Jr., and the rest of The Ship of Fools. The FY17 municipal budget will be the second time for the pleasure.

These Clauses Aren’t No Santa

Here’s some of what’s contained in the new teachers contract, the one with the 16 to 18% raise over three years:

* The pact covers not just full- and part-time classroom teachers, but guidance counselors, department heads, team leaders, unit leaders, head teachers, supervisors of attendance, coaches, librarians, media specialists, teachers of students with special needs, speech therapists, caseworkers, clinical social workers, in-hour suspension teachers, peer mediation counselors, certified ESL teachers, supervisors of vocational education, instructional technology specialists, evening school teachers, ABE teachers, TPP instructors, mentor teachers, school nurses, school nurse leader, occupational therapists, physical therapists, academic coaches, and extra-curricular personnel. No fat to trim there.

* The work year is 183 days. Ten of these days are designated “half days.” Teacher with 10 years and under of employment receive two weeks (10 days) paid vacation. Those with 11 or more years receive 17 days paid leave. Teachers will each receive 15 days of paid sick leave per school year. These sick days may be banked. Each teacher also receives two paid personal days, two paid “professional days,” and three paid “religious observance” days. UEP officers receive up to 20 paid days off to attend conventions and throw water balloons out of hotel windows. For the typical job in the Dreaded Private Sector, the work year is 262 days. Paid vacation rarely exceeds two weeks, if it is given at all. Sick leave? Maybe a day or two no banking allowed. Personal days? Professional days? Religious days? Convention days? “You’re lucky to have a job, mate.”

* School Work hours are either 8:30 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. (elementary), 7:25 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. (middle), or 7:20 a.m. to 2:29 p.m. (high). Six hours, 55 minutes; 7 hours, 5 minutes; and 7 hours, 9 minutes, respectively. Typical work day in the Dreaded Private Sector: 8 to 10 hours or more.

* The contract limits class size to 18 (K-3) and 22 (4-5-6, high school). THE PLANET remembers double sessions at PHS, and our 8th grade graduating class at Mt. Carmel was 35 kids. Today, class size is about less work for teachers and more about keeping the little monsters under a semblance of control.

* The contract specifies that “in the event of a cutback in personnel within the school system, teachers shall be laid off on a seniority basis.” Wouldn’t a performance basis be more in order, if we are to pretend that children deserve the best education possible?

* Teachers receive the generous 85% supplement for their health insurance costs, courtesy of taxpayers.

* Teachers get a $5,000 lump-sum bonus upon retirement as well as a formulaic severance pay payment.

* The contract includes what it calls “differentials.” A “differential” is the amount of extra pay a teacher gets for serving as a department head, unit leader, head teacher, and the like. These amounts range from $68 to more than $7,000.

This should get you ready to show up, en masse, at the PSC meeting April 13, 6 p.m., in the PHS library.

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“Just as hate knows love’s the cure / You can rest your mind assure / That I’ll be loving you always.” — Stevie Wonder, “As,” from the album Songs in the Key of Life.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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