not the first time wrote on May 2, 2008 8:33 PM:Administrators from our little district have used this tactic. I work there and on two ocassions have had so called board members follow me around while working for the district. How about we save even more money by cutting the board's fringe benefits, rolling back Passarrella's 19 plus percent raise given to administrators BEFORE the so called "freeze", get rid of the over paid "spokesman" Carvajal??
Meyers and Hurst should both be fired for misuse of district funds for following employees out of state while on their own time. And the Superintendent wonders why his employees in all areas and levels are so upset?? This action speaks for itself......Time to start looking for a new Superintendent while we are at it.

by the way wrote on May 2, 2008 8:38 PM:Pretty much NO ONE in the district reports "COMP" time on the SEMS system. For the many years (long before you came along) I have worked there, I always was told to do pretty much as the teachers mentioned in this article did in handling their comp time by our department secretary and supervision.

TOO BIZARRE wrote on May 2, 2008 9:25 PM:Sadly, this illustrates what can happen when an adversarial relationship between union teachers/classified staff and administrators permeates a district. Common sense and logic go out the window, and a "gotcha" attitude takes control. The adversarial relationship is exacerbated by the thug union tactics commonly employed during contract negotiations. It's wrong for unions to terrorize administrators and boards members. It's wrong for administrators and board members to retaliate with stupid 6th grade behavior such as this. If unions disappeared and great teachers were paid based on their job performance like everyone else, schools would be 100% better, and the adversarial stupidity would cease.

Worker who actually has to EARN Pay wrote on May 3, 2008 6:31 AM:Hey Caballero - "Busted, Dude!" is the fact your boss "crossed state lines" going to go on his "permanent record?" Get a life and "learn" that you can't goof off by playing hookey when you are the taxpayer's dime!!!

Archie wrote on May 3, 2008 7:09 AM:The Assoc. Superindentent makes about $700 per day and the principal $600. ... Who approved this expense? Or did those 2 also enjoy a day off in Nevada? Or was it 2 days off?

Shocking wrote on May 3, 2008 7:32 AM:I can't believe the district would "ok" funds to send administrators 300 miles to "catch these people in the act." Why on earth wouldn't they have the conversation ahead of time and tell them this is not considered an approrpriate use of time off? What a waste of tax dollars! This was comp time earned by teachers that can be used for time off during the school year. They earn this time off by covering other classes and forfeiting their prep time. Unfortunately, calling in the phone system for time off doesn't always provide the correct options and so one has to select "sick" time and then clarify later. And administrators KNOW this. Caballero is right - this is CREEPY!

US wrote on May 3, 2008 7:38 AM:I really don't care what the reason for the sick call is. Teachers have a very stressful job that requires both dealing with children, and let's not forget, those few parents that believe that they deserve the whole world. Havign said that, if a teacher is in need of a mental health day to simply get away and recharge their batteries, go ahead. The district gave them the days and should not be in the business of redefining what the day is for.

How many of us wake up and don't feel like dealing with traffic, people, etc.?

Max Headroom wrote on May 3, 2008 7:47 AM:
How can you not love this story? Admins play gotcha, but get got themselves instead -- at taxpayers' expense, of course. Sounds like they really wanted a long weekend of their own, since they apparently knew about the trip in advance, but felt the need for s "Sting" operation.

But what I want to know is, if teachers are allowed to teach in their prep periods, essentially earning extra time off, why do they have the prep periods? They obviously don't need them.

And by the way, this "comp time" scam is a violation of state labor law. If teachers are considered hourly employees, they must be paid OT. If they are salaried, they don't get paid for working extra. Either way, there's no such thing as legal comp time.

Like I said, how can you not love this story?

Busted wrote on May 3, 2008 8:21 AM:They've got the district attorney's office going on truancy sweeps to catch kids who cut class yet these teachers are whining about getting caught. They should be fired.

Ruth wrote on May 3, 2008 8:42 AM:Ridiculous. Sending two administrators across state lines--spending at last $1500 in administrator salaries, gas and food costs to save maybe $750 in substitute pay--is just one example of the fiscal irresponsibiltiy of the Lake Elsinore School District. This is just the tip of the iceberg. The financial and power abuses by the Lake Elsinore District officials are out of control. The superintendent and the school board have run amok with power, spying on employees through email. District administrators gave themselves a fifteen percent raise last year while they want teachers to freeze salaries next year. And the fact that there even is a district information officer(Jose Carvajal) while teachers are being laid off indicates abusive spending. Is Superintendent Passarella really too busy to speak?

Busted wrote on May 3, 2008 9:05 AM:Kudos to the District for looking into this. Teachers belong in the classroom, not at Laughlin. So much for the teacher's mantra 'we do it for the children'. If they were truly interested in the best interests of the children, they would be teaching in the classroom, not gambling and drinking in Laughlin. This is a perfect example of how much waste is brought into the system by the teacher's union. Hey Temecula, when are you going to cut down on the absence abuse by your teachers?

GFN wrote on May 3, 2008 10:03 AM:These actions are perverse. If these administrators are this stupid, they should be fired immediately. What an embarrassment!

amazing er unamazing wrote on May 3, 2008 10:12 AM:Teachers are given 10 days. These are their days to use. Give 'em a break. I'm amazed that that admin staff would even think to travel that far. The teachers' sick days costs are fixed. They either take them now, or get paid for them in retirement (sure there's the cost of sub if they take them now). Did the admin/supe use sick days to go, or did they leave their jobs and posts (where they should be during the day in order to do their job)? They used a day of salary (read: tax payer money) to go on a road trip. Next: when you call in sick, they'll be making house calls and asking to see your barf bucket, snotty rags, used medicine bottles, etc.

Big Brother wrote on May 3, 2008 11:20 AM:Somebody ought to check for other charges on that district credit card. I can't imagine that two administrators only bought a breakfast buffet at that casino. "Creepy" really does sum it up.

are you surprised wrote on May 3, 2008 12:22 PM:I am SO GLAD to see this in the press. The public needs to know this is not the first time the district has "wasted money" at tax payers expense. What about the "lifetime perks" for board members? Using district-issued gas cards for the whole family? Buying a new car and stating "work-related". C'mon.... politics in education - deceivers in the district office - people looking the other way - LEUSD is the acronym for "Look Elsewhere Until Someone Demands" accountability.

Get Real wrote on May 3, 2008 12:32 PM:Elsinore has enough money trouble, but to be stupid enough to use district funds to chase down teachers who according to their contracts and MOU's have the right to time off with proper notice just to be hunted down by Admin. I am completely disgusted by this. Instead of sending out the pink slips to all the classified/teachers I think it is time to send the pink slips out to the Principal and the Asst. Superindent of Human Resourse. That should save the district a few jobs and not to mention some money!!!

Grow up wrote on May 3, 2008 12:38 PM:Other than the public sector, who else gets paid for not working?

Glad I can contribute with my tax dollars for this lunacy on both sides.

Cha ching wrote on May 3, 2008 12:42 PM:TBUSD has extended late starts at middle schools, cutting 18 hours of classroom time so teachers can meet and go over their lessons but they're really heading over to Pechanga to hit those slot machines.

Danny wrote on May 3, 2008 12:46 PM:Absolutely creepy. And our kids still can't read, write or spell.

Michelle wrote on May 3, 2008 12:47 PM:Sounds like Meyer and Hurst were more than willing to take a free trip to Laughlin at the taxpayers' expense! At least the teachers earned their day off by subbing one period at a time when asked to cover another teacher's class due to emergency or lack of enough substitute teachers. Seems to me that if the administration went to the trouble of monitoring teachers' e-mails, they could have at least checked to make sure these were not earned comp days before they spent all that time and money to play "gotcha!"

Tax Payer wrote on May 3, 2008 12:59 PM:This is ridicoulus. First of all, they shouldnt be reading any teachers emails, these two ... need to use their time and energy helping students instead of trying to "bust" teachers. I say both of them should be terminated for crossing state lines to spy on employees.

LE Resident wrote on May 3, 2008 1:01 PM:I wonder how much in gas that cost the district? Not counting thier salaries for the day. Creepy isnt the right word, WRONG is!
Stop picking on the teachers and do something about the fat cats who dont do anything.

Michelle wrote on May 3, 2008 1:10 PM:To Max Headroom - You have no idea how much work needs to be accomplished during a prep period. I often wish I could just use it to grade papers, but there are copies (tests, worksheets, etc.)to run off , lesson planning, endless grades to enter into the computer and post on the school website for parent and student access, parent calls to make, and on and on. Many times I have had to turn the school secretary down when she called to ask if I could cover another teacher's class. I just have too much to do, but I always feel guilty because I know she is up there scrambling to keep a lid on things, and she will have to keep calling until she finds someone. The truth is I have over eighty days accumulated in sick leave because I am almost never out, so comp days have no appeal for me. Oh, and all those papers and essays that I never have time to grade on my prep period? They go home with me to be graded at night.

To Max Headroom wrote on May 3, 2008 1:25 PM:The reason teachers get a "prep" period is to do ALL the lesson planning, parent calls, assessments, student discipline, and photocopying necessary to prepare for teaching their 5 classes. How do you think teachers are able to give an ongoing presentation that lasts 7 hours per day? Could you do it?

Full time teachers teach 5/6, which means out of the 6 periods per day, 5 are spent teaching 165 kids, and the other is spent on the preparation. Therefore, yes, they do get "comp" time if they exceed their normal daily teaching assignment.

Of course, this 5 hours per week for "prep" doesn't even come close to the number of hours teachers put in each year. Weekly, it's at least 30 extra hours - for which there is no compensation, fiscally or otherwise. This is why teachers get the time off during summer, and winter & spring breaks - which is often spent planning! Those of you who think teachers get so much "free" time off per year couldn't be more wrong.

All of you experts on teaching - if this is such an easy gig, please, get in on it and stop complaining!!

To To Max wrote on May 3, 2008 2:19 PM:Yeah, I knew a teacher who spent all his summer prep time riding around the country on his Harley... I should have it so hard. Prep time, touting something you cannot prove... but fighting the exit exams because they PROVE what is really not happening in the classrooms.... learning.

ruth wrote on May 3, 2008 2:44 PM:Let's not get so off-topic here! The problem is the District's abuse of email, power, money , and time! It is all so wrong that it is creepy AND embarrassing. I'm actually embarrassed FOR Meyer and Hurst.

one flew over the cookoos nest wrote on May 3, 2008 3:27 PM:There is only one reality And even the assistant super. takes direction from a superior. Blame the one on top for all the degrading of employee moral

bill wrote on May 3, 2008 3:35 PM:We know how these administrators spent one of their days, but how much of their other time is spent reading teachers' emails? This doesn't sound like the best way to lead. Leaders who use paranoid tactics usually seem to be the same leaders who are guilty of something, themselves. It might be time for an audit at the Lake Elsinore district office.

Grow Up wrote on May 3, 2008 4:11 PM:I'm so sick of teachers whining about being overworked. 'Bout time they were held accountable.

Perhaps wrote on May 3, 2008 4:25 PM:It is time for a Grand Jury investigation in the operations and policies of this district?? How can Pasarrella justify this stupid move by two of his upper level administrators? Gross misuse of public funds here? You bet ya! I have worked in this district for many years and never - until Frank and his boys came along - ever witnessed crap like this. We should show them all the door but wait...... they all gave themselves three year no cut contracts........Buy them out, thin out the top heavy administrative "team" and show them all the door - including our "spokesman". There will be an immediate budgetary savings for sure!

Nice to know... wrote on May 3, 2008 4:44 PM:Our district administrators are also stalkers I guess.Taking pictures Kip? How much more could you and Hurst possibly have embarrassed yourselves and the district? Were's the broom? It is time to clean house in LEUSD.

To to Max wrote on May 3, 2008 5:22 PM:That's right - if the guy you know that teaches spent his entire summer riding his Harley around the country, that must mean they all do! Good argument! Why not teach? Maybe you could show teachers how to teach? Hmmm?

Zygo wrote on May 3, 2008 6:05 PM:I agree that this seems to have been handled badly...but...

If a group of teachers take off on the same day, without prior notice, who then teaches their classes? It is one thing to get a few substitute teachers for normal absenses, but another to get a large number to cover when a group of teachers decide to just take the day off without prior notice.

Yes, from what I read this group of teachers have earned days off...but, how they are taken is a reflection on their respect (or lack of) for their fellow teachers, their administration, and most importantly, to their students.

District Employee wrote on May 3, 2008 6:36 PM:This is not uncommon administrators and principals hardly ever do what they are suppossed to. Principals are never at the school and they never want to talk to parents. I demand an investigation into this matter. Elsinor HS needs a lot of help anyways. I say we picket the school next week. All students should go on a protest and walk out next week and see how much money the district loses.

Employee wrote on May 3, 2008 6:59 PM:This is not uncommon administrators and principals hardly ever do what they are suppossed to. Principals are never at the school and they never want to talk to parents. I demand an investigation into this matter. Elsinor HS needs a lot of help anyways. I say we picket the school next week. All students should go on a protest and walk out next week and see how much money the district loses.

Concerned Parent waiting for the next election wrote on May 3, 2008 9:30 PM:Pasarella, Myer, and Hurst have bosses too, called the school board. I would be interested to know what their opinion is of the waste of money and time, instead of having them visit classes. Seems like the board should be more concerned about improving education by having administrators in the classrooms than in Nevada.

Schools wrote on May 3, 2008 11:50 PM:Principals and Teachers used to work together. Now, it seems the Principals are constantly in meetings at the District Office. Reading employee's e-mails is common practice. Teachers are looking for support from the Principals and the District Office, not "Big Brother" watching. The students suffer when the Administration loses sight of the purpose of Schools.

Programmer wrote on May 4, 2008 3:48 AM:The article reads more like the computerized reporting system needs to be updated. Any teacher should be able to verify whether she/he has the previously earned comp time available, then report the planned absence will be charged to comp time or sick time, or the other catgories.

JSten wrote on May 4, 2008 6:58 AM:Following employees around, reading e-mails. This is just a sick abusive work place.

America is losing its greatness DUE to technology and micromanagement.

We should really look into the need to have a dean of checking up. Seems like a waste of time and money.

alice wrote on May 4, 2008 7:01 AM:My spouse has worked as a teacher in the district for many years. He/she is treated as the enemy by the administration. Morale is very low in the district. Spying and politics are the norm. When I first read this story I just could not believe they could sink this low, but it has sunk in, and honestly, it doesn't surprise me a bit.
So sad and pathetic.

tacky of both parties wrote on May 4, 2008 7:08 AM:The group of teachers have, once again, perpetuated the public's longstanding mythical opinion that teachers don't work hard and are overpaid. As a teacher, I wish they would've been more discreet (kept the vacation discussion out of district email, waited to vacation on their actual vacation time). While those were legally earned hours, it is obvious that the teachers weren't in Laughlin catching up on work.

All teachers sign computer usage agreements and know that their district email accounts are monitored.

The administrators have violated the privacy of others. Chasing them down was a waste of time and money. That was earned time, period.

OUTSIDER LOOKING IN wrote on May 4, 2008 7:46 AM:I'm amazed that the school distric is still in the dark ages when it comes to vacation and sick time. In the real world, now, we use what is called personal time off. Every pay period you accumulate a certain amount of hours based on your seniority in the company. So when you need a day off, depending on your companies polices, you ask for it. Most times you receive the time off. Why doesn't the school districts (all of them) change their policies to personel time off, then there is no questions asked. The employee uses it for whatever they want to use it for. Seems like a simple solution.

As for the two top administrators taking time off to go see what there employees are doing.... You have seriously got to be kidding... We all are paying outrageous taxes and these two yahoo's go following their employees.. they do need to be fired or repremanded or something... unless their boss spearheaded this fiasco... Good luck!

not a teacher wrote on May 4, 2008 7:49 AM:to all of you wanting to hold these teachers accountable...you can't have it both ways! you're always comparing teacher's union jobs with the private sector and blahblahblah, now when the teachers do something that is very common place in the private sector you're up in arms. come on!

Sleeping but awake wrote on May 4, 2008 7:59 AM:I think everyone is missing the point here. The administration was in the right here as these teachers had skipped class for a three day weekend out at Laughlin. This time off earned for compensatory days from planning periods, time designated for them to receive a break from teaching to plan instruction.

So, teachers get paid time off for "planning" their instruction. Give me a break. Yes teachers pay is too low. Yes the kids are too often unmotivated and uncooperative in their classes. Yes, teachers can be ineffective. all true. But, time off for planning. How about no time off for planning and just be quiet and do your jobs with team work with the administration. How about we get rid of teachers who are not committed and want to take a three day weekend on taxpayer money instead of teaching, this is not right. Unions serve a purpose untill they serve the purpose of fighting for the wrong things. The wrong things are anything which takes away from class time.

Max Headroom wrote on May 4, 2008 8:09 AM:To Michelle at 1:10 and the poster who followed:
You missed my point. If these teachers are using their prep time to sub, then taking the comp time to go to Laughlin,they obviously don't need the prep time.

To Grow Up wrote on May 4, 2008 8:36 AM:Teachers aren't whining, they're providing an explanation.

Programmer - you are right on!

Schools - you are right on, too!

Concerned wrote on May 4, 2008 8:39 AM:If teachers are given comp time/sick time/personal necessity time, they should be allowed to use it with no questions asked. All of you out there who say teachers are whiny, you have absolutely no right to judge until you have had 36 students at a time, 5 times daily, in a small room where you have 55 minutes to teach them and where you will be accountable for their progress and their discipline. You will have 55 minutes daily to create lesson plans for the 3-4 different class levels/subjects that you teach, make phone calls, attend meetings, purchase supplies, make copies, correct papers, tutor students, give make up tests, etc. Oh yes, you will also serve on 3-4 committees for which you will not be paid, which will meet after school and in the evenings. You will also need to supervise after school activities, dances, club meetings, athletic events, and you won't be paid for that either. If you take your students on field trips, you will have to fund raise for it, but you can't require any students to fund raise or parents will sue you for unfairly charging for a free and public education (that doesn't provide field trip funds).Did I mention that teaching won't actually be your primary job, disciplining children will be? There are far too many parents leaving the raising of their children up to teachers, which expands the responsibility of teaching into parenting as well, but without all the same disciplinary tools parents could use if they actually did their job correctly. If teachers could just concentrate on teaching, test scores would skyrocket. If you and the district realized how hard teachers work, you would encourage them to take a day off when they needed it. Teaching is a tough job that most people could not do well, and you don't get paid much for it and you definitely don't get any recognition for your efforts in the LEUSD.

Sickofit wrote on May 4, 2008 8:48 AM:No wonder the schools are out of money. The teachers take a paid "sick" day and the district has to pay for a substitute. The administrators did the right thing and the teachers should be fired. If they worked inthe private sector they would be fired. This is a shameless waste oftaxpayers money on the part of the teachers. I say good for the administrators for catching the goof offs.

LisaP wrote on May 4, 2008 8:51 AM:I would be willing to bet that most of the bloggers on this story who are criticizing the administration are teachers at this school. The teachers were caught with no excuse for lying. I say fire them.

Time off is a crime wrote on May 4, 2008 8:53 AM:Why is taking a day off for a teacher a crime? I am sure all of you get days off at your jobs? Also, teachers do need their planning period, but when there aren't enough subs available to cover the absent teachers, we are asked to give up our planning time to sub so no classes go uncovered. All teachers need their planning time, we can't do the planning/copying while we are teaching 36 kids, it has to all be prepared ahead of time.

JANE wrote on May 4, 2008 8:57 AM:Some of you don't understand what "comp time" is. When teachers work overtime by subbing during their prep., they can either get paid or get "comp time". Comp time is not intended for teachers to do more work. It's a vacation day. Teachers who subbed during a prep period, had to do more work at home the evening they subbed.

Retired wrote on May 4, 2008 9:26 AM:As a retired government worker most governmental subdivisions have a policy that out of state travel requires oversight and prior approval by the elected governing board. In this case was such approval and permission obtained before leaving the state of California to conduct school business? With the issues outlined in this story, maybe the Grand Jury of Riverside County needs to review the operations of this school district.

Refuse to sub single periods wrote on May 4, 2008 10:22 AM:Teachers are often pressured to cover these classes during their prep time... they should refuse to cover these periods from here on out. I can understand how the teachers are frustrated!!!!

This is rich wrote on May 4, 2008 11:01 AM:this article is so slanted towards the wrong angle. really, days off during the year when they only work 185 days a year, an entire week for turkey day, three weeks at christmas, spring break, numerous 3 and 4 day weekends for "national holidays" and you cannot stay in your classroom? i know the argument "we work all year" grading papers, blah blah blah. this "scandal" just proves the old adage, "those who can do, those who can't teach." in the private sector after reading the email i would have just fired you and you could go to laughlin anytime you wanted. another reason unions are protecting the weak and unemployable.

Both Sides wrote on May 4, 2008 11:44 AM:Unfortunatly there are teachers that take advantage, and there are Administrators who take advantage, and the union, or the board protect them, and this goes in a big ugly circle with the results being students suffering.
There are many honest teachers out there, teachers that do over and beyond, but many teachers have seen how the administrators have taken advantage of the system, and they have learned from them. Still the children suffer.
The D.O did not have to go out of state to find abuse of time off. Many administrators are down at the local golf places on paid time, they don't even bother to call in sick, they say they are at a meeting.

Sickofit wrote on May 4, 2008 12:09 PM:I am tired of teachers whining about how hard they have it. Come over to the private sector and see what it is like. Teachers have all Summer off plus weeks off here and there. I am sorry, but you do not have the right to lie about being sick to take a day off. These teachers should be fired for wasting taxpayer money.

ruth wrote on May 4, 2008 12:34 PM:This teacher-bashing is, again, off topic. Personal rights are guaranteed to all of us, regardless of what we do for a living. Rights have been violated here. What about the retired man who was with the teachers? Should he be stalked by the personnel director? What about privacy rights? No matter what you do for a living, no matter how many days you have off, you have the right to use email and have days off without being spied on by your boss. I am not a teacher, but I know this stalking is inappropriate at the very least, illegal at the worst. The teachers did not lie. The talk of firing them is absurd. Fire, perhaps, the school board who promotes this climate in Lake Elsinore. Vote them out ASAP.

Imsickofit SICKOFIT wrote on May 4, 2008 12:46 PM:First...I am not a teacher!!! You seem to be the one whining. You are lying to yourself if you think that "private sector" employees never call in sick when they're really not. That is a big joke. This was earned time off (comp time). Whether "legal or illegal" as a previous post mentions, it is a practice which is in place. The article indicates that the teachers did call in their absences the day before, therefore notice was given. They obviously didn't feel they were doing anything wrong because they used District e-mail to talk to one another about it. That was their mistake I guess. I do agree that since the e-mails were intercepted they should have been confronted in Lake Elsinore if Administration believed there was a misuse of time off! The teachers were obviously not "hiding" what their plans were. Employees sign a e-mail user agreement and are well aware of "big brother" looking on. Instead, They spent approximately 30 gallons of gas (based on 20 mpg/300 miles one way=approx. $120), breakfast was charged (did they only eat one meal the whole day?), did they spend the night (600 miles is a lot of driving in one day), plus their salaries for a whole day. Plus, if they drove their personal car, you can bet they got paid mileage too! Who was embarrassed here? The teachers certainly weren't, because they didn't believe what they did was wrong (and based on past practices, it wasn't). The District, who is closing a school, because of budget concerns should be wearing the red faces! A clear case of mismanaged funds. This could have been handled in a much cheaper, professional manner. Wake up LEUSD! Teachers and Classified employees have a Union and it's not going anywhere, so quit your whining about the vacations and benefits they get. If you want what they have then change careers!

I have to laugh wrote on May 4, 2008 12:55 PM: when I read all these posts about firing these teachers for wasting taxpayer money, or firing the ones who are "not committed." Go ahead and do it--you'll have a handful left, MAYBE. What happens then? People aren't beating down the doors to become teachers anymore, who can blame them? We have a crisis on our hands, and behavior like this from administrators isn't going to make the profession of teaching any more attractive, that's for sure.

Dude wrote on May 4, 2008 1:00 PM:And I thought Temecula Valley USD was bad! Oh, wait. They're worse!

To LisaP wrote on May 4, 2008 1:38 PM:Gee,
I am not a teacher in the district but do accrue comp time during the year. If I use my comp time as I damn well please, I guess it would be all right for some numbskull administrator to follow me on my earned day off to see what I am up to? Even our department reports its comp time just as Cabellero said he and the others had to. Who is at fault for that? Us or the administrators who cannot even come up with a coherent reporting plan for district employees? For all of the top wages Passarella pays to " attract good people" at the district office - as he has said in his own words, just what does it look like you are getting for your tax dollars being spent by the LEUSD administration?

Michelle wrote on May 4, 2008 5:24 PM:It always amazes me that the public is so resentful of the yearly schedule that teachers have. This is not a schedule that we have mandated. The districts have traditionally set things up this way, and we sign the contracts. If the time off is so alluring to the rest of you, remember, you could have spent five years in college preparing to teach with us. Seems to me that most of you weren't remotely tempted due to what is otherwise involved in teaching. People habitually say to me, "I could never do what you do!" Oh, and don't even make me laugh when you say people in the private sector don't call in "sick" to go play for a day or more. I worked in many offices when I was young and saw it all. At least these teachers earned the day fair and square and called it in in advance. The money that went for their subs was saved by the district when they covered for other teachers who needed subs.

To Sick of It wrote on May 4, 2008 5:41 PM:Sick of it- I did work in a high level managerial position for 10 years before becoming a teacher. Been there, done that. Left your private sector voluntarily, took an 80% pay cut and became a teacher to do something that really matters. I regularly put in 18 hour days as a teacher, as well as filling in as the parent figure for a good majority of my students. Maybe it's you who really needs to look at who's doing the whining-come fill my shoes for a day before you go on criticizing a job you don't know, but just think "we only work 185 days a year. I work most of all my vacations, including summer, just to stay caught up. You need to learn more about this profession before criticizing. Do you have kids? Maybe you should spend some time in their classrooms?

Zygo wrote on May 4, 2008 6:22 PM:Misinformation is bliss...To Ruth:

Your e-mail at work is for work use, not personal use. Because of this, the courts have held that it is permissible for employers to monitor their employees e-mail. Hint: This is common knowledge among people that utilize employer's network for e-mail. If you send inappropriate e-mail at work, you only have yourself to blame if you get caught.

Re taking time off: In many jobs, if you take a day off, you are simply missed that day. Your work may get a little behind to be caught up later. A teacher has to be replaced immediately. If these teachers took the day off as a group to screw off, or for whatever reason, without getting prior permission, they placed an undue burden on everyone else. Friday-itis is a problem with many employers, and it is usually the same employees that always get "sick" on Fridays.

To have sent two high paid administrators to check on these employees is a lesson in incompetence. An investigator with a camera would have been more appropriate and more effective.

FedUp wrote on May 4, 2008 8:21 PM:Give me a break! These teachers took time away from their classrooms and got caught. Too frieking bad. Yeah, the administration could have handled it differently but if these teachers were more professional, they would have handled it differently themselves.
Quit Whining or go find a 9-5 job that expects you to work for the money you are paid!!

Someone Missed Class wrote on May 4, 2008 9:10 PM:It is all these posters who think the teachers got caught. They flunked reading comprehension. READ THE ARTICLE PEOPLE, the teachers did not get caught. READ READ READ

fedup w. fedup wrote on May 4, 2008 9:14 PM:we all take time away from our classrooms when we are sick or have earned comp time. not sure what "got caught" has to do with it. "hey, i caught you taking a comp day." i think the concept of earning time from the district, in lieu of money, is too difficult for some.

To Fed-up wrote on May 4, 2008 9:23 PM:Did you read the article? The teachers did call in, in advance, so that substitutes could be placed in their positions. If the district doesn't want teachers to take time away from the classroom, then don't offer "comp time" as an option!!!!! DONE.

Fix the system wrote on May 4, 2008 9:45 PM:Listen up people The travesty will be if the comunication breakdown is not corrected for future inquiries. This will blow over but it had better not happen again or heads will roll, who ever is at fault

PK wrote on May 4, 2008 10:10 PM:OK, I teach in another district and reading some of these responses is disturbing. I'll be the first to admit that there are some good teachers and some bad. I'd say I'm in the middle.

That said, a notable difference to teaching and working in the private sector is the ability to choose who you do business with. In the private sector, if you do business with an associate that you are dissatisfied with, you can replace the associate with an new working parter. In teaching no such luck. We do not get to choose the students.

In reality, 80-90% of my students can follow directions independently and do a great job. Unfortunately, the other 10-20% cannot be "fired" when they do a poor job. Teachers are expected to be held accountable "like the private sector" without having the same control.

As a parent, I know that balancing my work responsibilities and my parenting responsibilities is a challenge. Education is a priority to me and that is reflected in the academic efforts of my children. Unfortunately, there are parents that do not place an emphasis on academics (and in some cases, on their children), so we provide babysitting services for these children because they are NOT in school to learn. They are there because the law requires them to be.

If each parent was actively involved in the academic success of their child, then every child would have their homework done daily because the parent would see to it (as I do). Statistics show that there are MANY parents that are not actively involved in their child's education.

One other quick accounting point to make:

To my knowledge, my district doesn't offer comp time, they pay teachers $30 per hour when they cover a class during their prep period. On the other hand, a sub costs about $100 a day. Teachers taking comp time actually saves the district money as 5 periods at $30/hr would be $150.

Just my thoughts on the subject

lioneltrains wrote on May 5, 2008 2:33 AM:This is the most idiotic thing I've read yet. The teachers who called in sick as well as the 2 administrators who followed them, should all be fired! Then Californians wonder why there's a $16 billion budget deficit.

Reardon wrote on May 5, 2008 11:01 AM:According to the NEA, California teachers are the best paid in the nation. According to the latest Census Report (April 1) California spends the 28th highest amount on public education. According to the federal National Report Card, our students rank, on average 48th.

We are not getting our money's worth.

Ben Dover wrote on May 5, 2008 12:27 PM:...this is why we should cut school and let the kids get educated by the internet.

geezisss

Hey Busted and other nonreaders wrote on May 5, 2008 4:10 PM:READ THE ARTICLE!! The teachers were using COMP TIME. This means they earned a day off from work. They can do whatever they want when they are on their own time. As far as the Administrators, SHAME ON YOU!! Your lack of communication to the school sites on the reporting of COMP TIME is unacceptable. This practice of following personnel and spying on them through their email is just wrong! The administrators should be docked their pay and not reimbursed their expenses. In fact, they need to be fired! This pratice must stop!

Roberto wrote on May 5, 2008 9:24 PM:Go ahead, re-elect the same board of trustee's....Until you have enough, this will never stop.

NOW WHAT wrote on May 6, 2008 6:14 AM:Lots of good post, lots of true facts. The wind blows, shakes it up a little at LEUSD, and all we find is another layer of garbage...Nothing will be done, no one will be held accountable.
If the focus is truely on the students, then someone needs to step it up, and make this a functional system.

I was a substitute wrote on May 6, 2008 7:55 AM:teacher for five years. I never was offered a contract because a) I was too old and b) was too conservative. I know from the inside out, most teachers are very well paid for what they do. First of all, would be teachers don't have to take state exams, regardless of their GPA's IF their undergrad was Liberal Arts, also regardless of GPA. Then, first year teachers get "on the job training" or BTSA that teaches them how to write daily lesson plans, organize their time and "manage" the classroom. Unless the teacher constantly changes grade level, after the first year, the lesson plans are DONE the curriculum is set and they are basically on auto pilot. They teach the same thing, give the same tests and the same handout EVERY year with possible minor modifications. I worked for hundreds of teachers and could determine, in the first five minutes, who actually WAS a teacher and who was there for the paycheck. The vast majority, sadly, were the latter. Those who can't cut it in the "real world" often DO become teachers. Those who went into the profession with a desire to make a difference in the life of a child need to be paid FAR more than the "run of the mill" teacher, and those who just do it for the guaranteed check (after two years you get tenure, WHAT other job provides this?)need to be paid far less. IF ONLY those who worked hard for their credential, proved their desire to impart education with excellence, were allowed to teach, THEY could be paid the salaries they deserve and not have to suffer the union rules that keep them ALL on the same plodding treadmill that has destroyed public education for ALL.

Roberto wrote on May 6, 2008 9:18 AM:I have always supported teachers and will continue to do so. Children can only be educated in public education with quality teachers. We can do without good administators and have proven this point over and over. So voters lets see you clean house.

Let our voices be heard wrote on May 6, 2008 3:53 PM:I agree with Roberto's comments. We need to vote in four new board members and leave Sonia on. Let's get the businessmen/women off of the school board and people with a background in education elected. The four that I am referring to come into our schools in their condecending and snide way and preach that they are doing "what's best." Best for who? I think certain board members and the elitist D.O. administration need to be followed around and photographed in order to spotlight just who's scratching who's back ;/

I know Kip and Jon wrote on May 6, 2008 8:51 PM:They have been doing this garbage for years and it is time we kick them out of office. Ask any of Kips former students what they though about him and you will find out that he is not well liked because of his sneaky business, just like in Laughlin. I don't think he would like it if we surprised him on his next vacation.

Machete wrote on May 6, 2008 9:55 PM:If you don't like it, then you teach it your way. Public education sucks but its not the teachers fault, its not the students fault...it is the fault of petty administators, polticians who renege on the obligationn to fully fund education and the brain dead voters who let them get away with it. Focus on education and vent you anger for change starting with voting the trustees who sold us out.

Ronnie wrote on May 6, 2008 11:12 PM:After reading all this garbage it's no wonder the parents and teachers of Ronald Reagan Elementary are petitioning the stateto pull away from LEUSD and become a Charter School.

Molly wrote on May 7, 2008 7:40 AM:Teachers don't get vacation. Their summer, spring and winter breaks are unpaid. The only way they can take a day off is to call in sick. If the employees have the days to use, whose business is it how they are used? The real abuse here is obviously on the part of the administration. The greatest disservice to our children are these highly-political, greedy teachers unions. That is the origin of this adversarial relationship. In the real world, the teachers would be given PTO days, have to pay for their benefits and earn their raises based on merit. This story is STUPID in every way.

Other options wrote on May 7, 2008 11:00 AM:Why did they have to travel across state lines. If they were suspicious, they could have pulled each instructor indivisualy the following week and question them about the trip. I'm sure they would not have denied. Micro managing is what makes an organization a terrible place to work. ... Too creepy

To Molly wrote on May 7, 2008 1:30 PM:You have got to be joking. Please correct me if I'm wrong and I'll accept it. Teachers salaries get divided into 12 months. My friend is a teacher for murrieta unified. He makes 70k a year, all weekends off, summer off with a supplimental income for teaching summer school, all holidays off, ends his day at approx. 2 PM. Give me a break. Where else can you get a job in this area with those kind of days off, holidays off and end your day by 2.

To To Molly wrote on May 7, 2008 3:26 PM:I apologize, but I'm about to digress from the topic at hand: Teachers only get paid for 10 months of the year. So, yes federal holidays are paid time off, just as with any other government job, but summers are unpaid. Teachers who get 12 paychecks per year voluntarily have money taken out of their 10 monthly paychecks to help budget for the summer months that are UNPAID. If teachers want to ride around the country on Harleys during the summer, they have every right to do so BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT BEING PAID FOR THOSE TWO MONTHS OFF.

Think about it a little more wrote on May 7, 2008 8:30 PM:Don't bring Ronald Reagan Elementary into this mess. They have enough problems of their own, without even involving the school board.

to to to Molly wrote on May 8, 2008 6:53 PM:Then what is all this PREP time everyone keep wailing about? An earlier post was whining about prep time in the summer... who's right them or you?...

Kay wrote on May 10, 2008 6:00 PM:Just wanted to point out all the days teachers are out of the classroom for training and meetings. I would like to hear from some teachers on how helpful it is for them to spend two days learning how to teach handwriting or four days training to use a new textbook.How many hours out of the classroom did Earl Shore take?
I also wonder about the cost comparison between a generic textbook and our special California editions with pages that few students would read, such as what they are going to learn in this book and how does it relate to the standards.
I'm sure that money saving strategies can be found that are simpler than looking for hidden expenses in e-mail.

Freddie wrote on May 13, 2008 10:32 PM:The board along with the Superintendent of LEUSD supposedly has over 100 years of education between them. It amazes me how they have not learned how to communicate effectively with their colleges and empower employees. As well as completing simple math. Hmmm! I wonder where the budget should be cut? It might behoove the board and administrators to start with your own salaries and perks first. Remember, the teaching tool called "modeling"?

Unbelievable wrote on May 16, 2008 9:03 PM:I can't believe how many people out there are unsupportive of teachers. Most other "professional careers" allow for sick days. Teachers are also deserving of sick days, whether they use it when they are sick, when their children are sick, or simply when they are sick of being with someone else's children! Being a teacher is tough work and they are underpaid and under respected. If they worked in their prep period to earn time off, then by all means, take time off---and go to NV--it is no ones business but theirs! There is also such a thing as a mental health day--working with 160 teenagers each day can't be easy, especially when teacher's are so underpaid! Go Teachers! LEUSD should be ashamed of themselves.