Teacher contract includes new job of 'employee wellness coordinator'??

A teachers contract proposed for Montgomery County schools through 2014 trades the absence of pay raises for more independent working time, according to a summary obtained by the Washington Examiner. Both cost-of-living allowances as well as "step" increases based on years in the classroom were left out of the contract in order to address the county's dire financial circumstances. Teachers forewent COLAs this year, as well, but did receive "step" raises. Provisions in the contract allow raises to be taken up again next year.
< br> "There are some teachers who think there's money out there that we just haven't found yet, but those folks are very few," said teachers union President Doug Prouty. "The vast majority of our membership realize that the economic situation is what it is." In exchange, elementary teachers gained more time during the workweek to work free of students or mandatory meetings. All teachers except those in their first year will be allowed to work from home on days designated for completing end-of-term grades.
< br> "That frees up time, but it's important in a symbolic way, too," Prouty said "It's a sign of trust."
< br> An agreement on containing health care costs includes a new "employee wellness coordinator" to instruct teachers about how to maintain health by quitting smoking, for example. Officials will also begin determining retiree health premium costs based on years teaching -- meaning retirees with fewer years would pay higher health costs.
< br> Chris Orlando, a math teacher at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, said that despite the time provisions, pay raises seemed foremost on his colleagues' minds.
< br> "People know that everything is tough right now, but the one issue is whether the pay freeze will continue," or if when the economy improves, teachers will be able to jump to the "step" they would've been at. "If not, that's money we'll continue to lose down the road," Orlando said.
< br> On the union listserv, the money-for-time trade wasn't quite fair enough.
< br>"Take [the contract] back to the table," one teacher wrote. "Tell them the truth. [We] expect more time." The proposal has been in the making since November, and will be sent to schools this week for a vote by the end of the month. SOURCE: Washington Examiner