Things I found out today about my school and DCPS

Like any new employee and DCTFers I decided to attend the employee benefits session. The good news I get benefits, however the bad news is they really are not that great. I am a former state employee and the health and medical by Blue Cross Blue/Shield was far superior. In addition, I paid LESS for more coverage. State also had a lot of extras thrown in like discount shopping at specific stores in county and city. Let's not talk about the pension and absence of a matching 401k.. oops no 403b, yes big distinction!!!!

The benefits specialist inform us that we could sign up for the Peoplesoft on DCPS site instead of waiting to go to our schools, however, we had to use a DC government computer at a school or library etc. Sounds easy. So silly me head over to the library at Eastern Market this morning in the hot sun, signed up for the library card and waited 45 minutes to use the computer. Surprise, the links don't work. I called DCPS main office who then referred me to IT helpdesk, who sent me an email link to the websites that don't work, who then referred me back DCPS HR. Got the HR voice mail that states it takes 24 hours for a response, so called the main DCPS office number, which is the Chancellor Rhee and got a receptionist who seemed truly perplexed by my question and put me hold for five minutes before directing me to the payroll office. The payroll receptionist explained that her training with PeopleSoft dictated that she directed all inquiries back to the help desk.At this point I hung up because I had my quota of "round and round" we go for the day

While in the DCPS website, I stumbled across the budget for the school for the 2010. Wow the principal makes each make over $100,000. The clincher is these two salaries alone represented 30% of the total instructional personnel budget and when I added in the custodian/foreman who makes close the $100,000 also, it rose to 42%. Yes, I rechecked my calculations!! Other interesting tidbits were the monies allocated for classroom supplies only $5000 for the entire year for 18 teachers at the minimum and 24 staff members if other instructional staff is included!!!!

Speaking of money.. I have yet to hear from DCTF on the status of the stipend checks. I planned on doing several dry runs of activities associated with my lesson plans, however, need $$ to buy basic materials. After not having a steady paycheck for four months, I am definitely not about to use personal funds at this point. In addition, I am still trying to get the teacher edition text for my class, however, the book room clerk has informed me they don't can't locate it because it is assumed to be in A box in the book room. In attempts to elicit information about when these boxes will be identified and unpacked, I was met with evasion and you just need to wait.