Is OPRF High School worth its weight in gold?

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 10:00 PM

Allan Bernstein

In December I was informed that the OPRF High School board was holding a meeting to discuss increasing the tax levy. Seemingly, this important issue was to be discussed with minimal notice to the community. I searched the OPRF website seeking information.

While at the website, I discovered another matter regarding the district's use of public funds that concerns me — faculty compensation.

Findings from the faculty salary schedule

16% of faculty earn a total annual compensation of $130,000 or more

An additional 9% of faculty earn between $120,000 and $130,000

3 faculty earn more than $146,000

6 faculty earn between $140,000 and $145,000

From the faculty contract

A teacher at OPRF with a B.A. degree and no teaching experience is hired at a base salary (not including athletic, activity, summer school stipends) of nearly $55,000

A teacher with a master's degree and no experience is hired at over $58,000; a teacher without experience, a master's degree and 30 additional credits earns nearly $63,000.

We all want the best for our children, but these premium salaries are out of line with the market and haven't resulted in the best outcome for our children. OPRF's overall performance has proven to be, at best, average.

It is true that a great teacher is worth his/her weight in gold, as is a great nurse or a great cleric or a great first responder. But there is no known cause-and-effect relationship between paying a teacher excessively and in return receiving a better education. Oak Park elementary teachers work as hard as OPRF teachers do. They earn a base salary between $42,000 and $97,000.

Anyone who has lived in Oak Park during a school referendum may know the arguments of those lobbying for the referendum. Some may try to rationalize OPRF's excessive compensation through the following specious arguments:

"We want the best teachers for our children, so we have to offer high salaries." Long before the recession, OPRF had many well-qualified applicants for every teaching vacancy. Presently, there are likely thousands of devoted and skilled teachers who would be thrilled to work at OPRF for less than the current scale.

"Oak Park will not attract families without the best schools." Perhaps good schools do bring families to the area, but there is no evidence that paying teachers excessively makes a better school. Consider how educational outcomes might truly improve if OPRF shifted 10 percent from teacher/administrator salaries into evidence-based programs to reduce academic disparities or address the needs of students with poor psycho-social functioning.

Try an experiment. Ask your OPRF grad to take a look at the teacher salary schedule for their teachers who earned over $120,000 a year. Then ask if those teachers were worth it. This experiment may be even more poignant for your grad if they realize that when they enter the job market with comparable college degrees, they will be lucky to find a job for $40,000 a year and benefits.

Or conduct an assessment yourself. In your opinion were your children's $120,000 and above salaried teachers worth the compensation paid them? Consider how these teacher salaries compare to yours, in particular given that most of us work 12 months a year and have 2-3 weeks' vacation.

This teacher contract is a done deal. In 2014 OPRF teacher salaries need to be brought into line with what the market warrants. There may only be one way to bring this about — through greater transparency and concerned community stakeholder involvement.

If OPRF negotiations remain behind closed doors, we will continue to only feather the faculty/administrator nest and do ourselves and our children a disservice.

Allan Bernstein is a resident of Oak Park.

Reader Comments

35 Comments - Add Your Comment

Comment Policy

Jmg from Oak Park

Posted: January 15th, 2013 10:46 PM

Rez - you are equating salary with school performance. We all agree on that. We pay TOP dollar for a 50th school rank. We expect more and you tell us we are cheap. People can move from OP to western subs, keep an Addt'l 10,000 in their pocket and still enjoy glenbard arts programs. Cristal champagne is overrated

Concerned taxpayer from Oak Park

Posted: January 15th, 2013 5:48 PM

Dear Rez, While salary is certainly a motivator to apply for a job, it is not the only motivator. If your daughter became a teacher and was looking at either a Chicago HS or a suburban HS where would you want her to work. If you were concerned about her safety I think you would say a suburban HS. I don't think the salary is the most important thing.

Rez

Posted: January 15th, 2013 5:07 PM

OPRFDad, schools attract teachers based on how well they pay, so if you'd like to see OPRF further sink in standard, go ahead and suggest a pay reduction. This will not only affect student, but will also harm the village, as schools are a large part of what makes a town desirable.

OPRFDad

Posted: January 10th, 2013 4:38 PM

ALLAN BERNSTEIN HATES CHILDREN! ALLAN BERNSTEIN IS A RACIST! Now that we have that out of the way. He's 100% correct. Time to reduce their salaries. Let them try to get a job somewhere else, and when they do, they'll lose seniority and a large chunk of their income.

Concerned taxpayer from Oak Park

Posted: January 10th, 2013 4:12 PM

Our high school as with all our schools are very important, but the financial administration of running D200 does not follow any sane business model I know. At a time of recession and unfunded pension responsibilities the high school still follows business practices from when teachers were a scarce commodity. Now not only do salaries need to be addressed but also benefits which are adding billions of unfunded tax liabilities to ourselves as well as our children.

OPRF Achievement Gap

Posted: January 9th, 2013 7:09 PM

Issue is OPRF has some GREAT teachers -- but what about the rest? Are they all great just because they are tenured? We are paying and expect Great teachers. If not, they have to go. Incentive pay MUST be part of the next contract talks. See how other districts are dealing with the CRAP this state has handed School Boards to deal with. Oh, teachers must get on 401 K, and contribute. Defined Contribution vs Defined Benefit - only way to solve the budget issue. Pensions = a financial bomb

Unfortunately

Posted: January 9th, 2013 5:11 PM

@Oh my! Yes, IMO (and experience), OPRFHS has a majority of "wonderful teachers," but as we're scratching our heads wondering why PE and Driver's Ed teachers need Master's Degrees (and thus $100K+ salaries) - along with being able to "retire" at 56.......why do we also need to pay the same salaries and pension benefits for the librarians, nurses, and other certified personnel? Can't we differentiate between the important classroom teachers and those whose roles are far less impt?

Oh my!

Posted: January 9th, 2013 4:14 PM

If the teachers are earning more than average, their performance should be above average across the board. Unfortunately, this is not so at OPRF. I sat in the classrooms of many wonderful teachers, but also plenty who were sub par. It's not an easy job, but if you're not doing it better than the rest you should be paid more simply because of the schools location. Keep the salaries high, just make sure the teachers are worth it!

muntz

Posted: January 9th, 2013 3:29 PM

Arguing basic economics w/ a teacher is often a futile exercise. We all respect teaching and acknowledge its difficulties and inherent obstacles. But when it comes to compensation, supply/demand should rule. Are there a shortage of teaching candidates or qualified teachers in the market? Doesn't appear so. If teachers weren't teaching, would the market be flooded w/ cardiologists, physicists, composers, and other intellectual careers? What is the avg teacher's career options? Then derive value.

Teacher's wife from Oak Park

Posted: January 9th, 2013 3:23 PM

We cannot afford to live here anymore. My husband is a teacher but not in Oak Park, making a salary that is half of what an OPRFHS teacher makes. OPRFHS salaries are outside the norm. And our taxes are much higher than comparable suburbs with good schools.

Concerned taxpayer from Oak Park

Posted: January 9th, 2013 2:42 PM

Sorry, but teacher salaries are out of line with what's happening in this state. Are our teachers important to us, you bet, but so are the police, fire, maintenance, nurses and doctors, etc. We are all important, yet the salaries and pensions of the rest of us are not even in their ball park.

Brian from Oak Park

Posted: January 9th, 2013 2:41 PM

Aurora, glad to hear your successes. I too have had 2 kids through the system - but with mixed results. At the AP level, generally excellent performance. Non-AP, a mixed bag. Women in History was an amazing class, but the teacher was let go because she wasn't tenured - a big loss. The system of firing teachers without tenure each year then hiring back is flawed. Good, younger teachers leave. That is basically a systematic union-driven issue.

Posted: January 9th, 2013 1:30 PM

Aurora - it's the public pensions that are unsustainable. Children and their education are important but not at the expense of all others in society. Fair share - maybe a 2 tiered system. When you have children attending school you put more of your skin in the game. The rest of us a lower rate. Or you know like that socialist 'common good' thing - 'according to ones ability'.

Teacher fan

Posted: January 9th, 2013 1:13 PM

More to the point, rj, we have elections coming up. We can discuss, but I'm not sure you'll like my ideas. More like I think we're both going to be curious what those running for office have to say & looking for very different stances. We represent very different constituencies & candidates will need to think carefully about OP's political climate & how they're going to get their votes. It should be interesting!

Aurora Farqueson from Oak Park

Posted: January 9th, 2013 1:06 PM

"Or conduct an assessment yourself. In your opinion were your children's $120,000 and above salaried teachers worth the compensation paid them?" Answer -- an unequivocal ABSOLUTELY ! My students (honors, as well as learning challenged,) have received the absolute best education and experience. The OPRF teachers are dedicated, caring. motivated professionals. Our experience has been far and above anything our friends/relatives in other parts of the country have experienced in their high schools.

Posted: January 9th, 2013 12:37 PM

Teacher Fan - A big topic - maybe you should address it. You could come to a different conclusion with some objectivity. Some of us no longer have children in our schools. OP no longer can attract some families with children as it is also leaving no alternative, to others who've been here a long time, but to move. OP's diversity mantra is no such thing. You can be a teacher fan without being a fool. Results can be achieved without putting everyone under financial duress.

Teacher fan

Posted: January 9th, 2013 12:22 PM

Brian, that's fine. I'm not really interested in having a "role of govt" debate. We get that enough nationally at the moment. I don't agree with you either. C'est la vie.

Teacher fan

Posted: January 9th, 2013 12:18 PM

That's a big topic, rj. But, roughly, I'd say the schools are about right and don't bother me as much as some of our village-side spending and subpar services. I'd trade improved village services for reducing the school tax burden anyday. I think the price is right--we pay about what we should for a town like OP--but what you get needs to match it more closely to the schools.

Brian from Oak Park

Posted: January 9th, 2013 12:17 PM

Teacher, I couldn't disagree with you more. You concept of tax more spend more is unsustainable. Eventually the well runs dry for other services for the needy who aren't in a union. Your cavalier dismissal of teacher accountability, disenfranchises the poor and less fortunate. Interesting your arguments are out of the 1% playbook.

Posted: January 9th, 2013 12:10 PM

Teacher Fan - We are paying for public services - through the nose - it has now reached the level of legalized confiscation for unsustainable public union thugs. Enough is enough - but it's never enough. We need a citizens oversight committee to stop the madness.

Teacher fan

Posted: January 9th, 2013 11:59 AM

That's sort of my point. Not everyone buys the notions being thrown around here. I'm just saying that before you jump on teachers/schools, don't assume that other voters/taxpayers/residents accept the groundwork of your argument entirely. There are bigger fish to fry in OP and this whole line of complaining about the school's surplus and teacher salary is why the focus gets taken off other more important things going on in this community.

Mr. Middle

Posted: January 9th, 2013 11:43 AM

@ Teacher. Its hard to have a conversation with you when you will not acknowledge there is no G without the taxpayers. We are the employers of public workers. That is just a basic common fact where you must start. G would not be here without the taxpayer.

Teacher fan

Posted: January 9th, 2013 11:43 AM

No, I'm not from the teacher's union. But I do think teaching should be a well-paid, respected profession and we should be doing more to uplift and empower them...and give them way more resources than the currently have. If none of you are desperate to get a teaching position for the prestige and riches, we're doing it wrong. lol

Teacher fan

Posted: January 9th, 2013 11:35 AM

See, the problem is taxpayers aren't the employer. It's our responsibility as citizens to pay for public services. It's not a business. That's what government does is stuff for the common good. Even if you don't like it and think it is too expensive. lol

Brian from Oak Park

Posted: January 9th, 2013 11:29 AM

Teacher, are you the union steward? I agree people should be paid for performance. But, the TU contract doesn't allow for that. You must admit, there are good teachers and bad teachers. Bad teachers who can't perform, don't deserve more money. They deserve a different career choice. Teaching is not a job for life. Nowhere is that true in the private sector. With no salary increase, year after year, the bad ones will get the message.

OP Transplant

Posted: January 9th, 2013 11:17 AM

It's a fair argument to say that in general, the people of OP and RF are taxed at a very high rate for lackluster services, school included. In a world where compensation is usually tied to productivity, it's hard to justify these teacher and administrator salaries, given the decidedly average performance of OPRFHS as a whole. We've watched salaries rise while the quality of the school has fallen. Who wouldn't question that?

Bob from OP

Posted: January 9th, 2013 11:16 AM

We owe them?? Since when do we OWE someone unless they have performed to the Employers expectations? We are the employer, and we are speaking we are not satisfied with the results based on the compensation package the Unions have hood winked us on.

Teacher fan

Posted: January 9th, 2013 9:51 AM

I save content/measurement reform discussions for other venues & the need to improve wages for most earners in our economy is way off topic. Just highlighting that the problem is bigger than just "hey, let's bring teacher salaries down & taxes in OP are too high." I understand it's personal for people. I'll always side with the teacher/student side of the equation rather than the parent/taxpayer side. It's a responsibility thing. We owe them, not the other way.

Uncommon Sense

Posted: January 9th, 2013 9:35 AM

Taxpayers want results for the money. It wouldn't bother me if a math teacher made $200k as long as they were the best damn math teacher around. What we see are inflated salaries and ponzi scheme pensions that we are funding yet little Johnnie can't read or do basic math. There has to be some accountability for real results and our schools have got to stop teaching to the lowest common denominator.

Want to Stay in Oak Park

Posted: January 9th, 2013 9:32 AM

Teacher fan, taxpayers who challenge OPRF teacher compensation and benefits are not 'hating on' teachers. There are a lot of Oak Park RNs, in fact two of my neighbors are RNs. Their income is not going up at the same rate as the property taxes. They struggle to cover the increase. You keep asking them to spend a higher and higher percentage of their income to fund schools and teacher pensions. They have to do that AND save for their own pensions. It's not hate, its worry and fear.

Teacher fan

Posted: January 9th, 2013 8:58 AM

Teachers deserve the professional equivalent of battle pay for what we ask of them already. Education is a basic service & human right we fail at miserably in the US. We need to shift the dialogue away from cost, frankly. It's what we spend the money on that's important. I take your point, Middle. What we're arguing about is enough money to pay everyone more. Don't hate on teachers. Those nurses deserve better, too.

Mr. Middle

Posted: January 9th, 2013 8:48 AM

@Teacher...you missed the point. What does a ER RN make at Loyola who is saving lives? Approximately $68K with nice benefits and no pension. A NP makes about $90K. These are the comparable positions in our world and public employees have successfully negotiated better including impossible pension numbers. Is it fair to ask that Nurse to now pay into OPRF schools? There is not enough money in the Economy to pay everyone more.

Bob from OP

Posted: January 9th, 2013 8:25 AM

@teacher - no one is angry - they just want RESULTS for their investment. What happens is no one is seeing the results, so they focus on the shinny object - in this case salaries. One way to get the focus off the shinny object is to focus on results. OPRF is a Great School that should be even Better with the level of investment being given by the taxpayers. However, they do a GREAT job with what is given to them by D97 - who needs to STEP it up. D97is robing us blind with the # who dn read!

Teacher fan

Posted: January 9th, 2013 8:09 AM

IMO you have it backwards...all teachers need to be brought up to the higher salary levels. Not well-paid teachers being cut down. As a profession, nationally, teachers are far too undervalued. Angry taxpayers are just looking for a scapegoat.

OPRF Achievement Gap

Posted: January 9th, 2013 7:20 AM

One way to deal with this is "incentive" compensation. Lower the base - yet still allow for the same or better as they get now with incentives - tied to student and school performance. Why is government still not focused on this? Clearly the level of IQ rests with what else - Public Service Unions. This must change - yet Harmon as been of NO use to Oak Park. This Needs to change.

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