Report Inappropriate Comments

90 Sick Days for teachers... a MYTH that I have explained over and over. No one reads the contracts. Have you read the contract? Teachers don't actually get 90 sick days, this is a myth. They get 90 "sick days" until they are outright fired. They get about 2 weeks of sick time each and that is right in line with private sector. In the private sector, if you are out for more than 2 weeks, you can go on TDI, your job is protected, somewhat until you return. Teachers do NOT have TDI. Here it is in a nut shell again. The Beacon WILL NOT REPORT THIS SO HERE IT IS AGAIN.

All teachers share one pool of sick days, when they are gone, they are gone and any teacher who takes a day out must pay for their sub. If every teacher took 10-15 days out during the year, the pool would be empty. A teacher can take 90 days sick time before they are let go. If a teacher takes 90 days, that means 4 other teachers can't take sick time. Teachers don't pay into TDI so they get the "sick time" instead. No one wants a teacher out for 90 days but if a teacher had to be out because of cancer treatment or another life threatening illness, would you want them kicked to the curb or give them some compassion? The important part to remember is they share a pool, when the pool is empty, they don't get to take a sic day without paying for it. All teachers have approximately 12-15 days sick time each year. They don't all get 90 days sick time. They do get to take 90 days before we can let them go but that is the same as TDI. I know of only one or 2 teachers during the entire time I was on the school committee who took an extended sick leave. One was for cancer treatment, the teacher was glad to know she would have a job when she completed treatment and wasn't fired. The other didn't take the entire 90 days but had broken her leg severely and could not walk or stand for long periods of time.

It would be the same as if you and 4 co-workers had 15 days each and you pooled them. So together you would have 75 days between you. One of you gets really sick and needs more than the allotted 15 days. The rest of you decided you wanted to give the person a few of your sick days, SO THEY WERE NOT FIRED. In private industry you pay into TDI. Teachers don't have that option.

The 90 days is a myth. A teacher actually gets only about 2- 2.5 weeks of sick time before they have to PAY for their substitute. There is NO COST to the schools if every teacher took 2 weeks of sick time or if they took more because once they go over 2 weeks, any additional time gets taken out of their pay to pay for the sub. Sick time for all employees is budgeted and it never goes over budget because when the pool is empty, teachers pay for their replacement.

I hope this answers the question of sick time. I stated this in Sept 2012, October 2012, and November 2012 but the Beacon did not print it. Please read the contracts before posting erroneous information on the forums.

From: Committee to consider school cuts

Please explain the inappropriate content below.