In NY, many school janitors paid more than teachers

[jimmy olsen]

Something's not quite right here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42649318/ns/local_news-new_york_ny/

In NY, many school janitors paid more than teachers
Base pay for union custodians more than highest paid teachers, NBC analysis finds

By Chris Glorioso
NBCNewYork.com
updated 4/18/2011 2:51:18 PM ET

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Teachers in at least one Bronx school earn less money than the building custodian, a stat that has surprised students and parents.

Although it is commonly assumed teachers' wages top the salaries of custodians, an NBC New York analysis of public payrolls shows many custodians make more money than even the highest paid city teachers.

According to the union contract governing New York City Custodian Engineers, the men and women responsible for keeping school buildings clean and operating can make up to $114,000 a year in base pay. The highest paid teacher, with a masters degree and decades of tenure, can hope to make just over $100,000 in base pay.

Courtney Davis, a 10th-grader at the Roosevelt Education Campus in the Bronx, believes it should be the other way around.

"I think that the teachers should be making more money because we depend on them more than we depend on the custodians," she said.

The pay-scale differences are even more pronounced for rookie teachers and custodians.

First-year New York City school teachers without graduate degrees,make about $45,000 a year. The minimum pay for a first-year custodial engineer is almost $80,000 a year.
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"On what theory do custodians get paid more than senior teachers? It's outrageous," said former New York City Schools Chancellor Harold Levy.

The relatively generous pay packages for custodians represent squandered resources, says Levy. He argues it's money that would be better spent on recruiting talented teachers.

Local 891, the union that represents custodians, defends the salaries its members collect.

"The salaries earned by our members are based on their responsibilities ... they are by no means excessive. There is nothing to be gained by pitting one segment of the work force against another," said Robert Troeller, Local 891 president.

Unionized custodian engineers are paid based upon the square footage of the school facilities they are responsible for keeping clean and operating. They work 12 months a year, unlike teachers who may take summers off.

Despite the longer work year, some parents are convinced custodians are over-compensated.

"I think they're making too much money because teachers put in more work," said Naomi Rodriguez, as she walked her preschooler past Roosevelt Educational Campus.

Teachers, themselves, aren't so quick to judge the salaries of fellow public servants.

Evan Stone, a Bronx middle school teacher who co-founded the non-profit advocacy group Educators 4 Excellence, has long pushed for higher teacher salaries.

However, he is unwilling to say increased teacher pay should come at the cost of reducing custodian wages.

"I think the fact that custodial engineers make more than teachers demonstrates the fact that teachers aren't paid enough," Stone said.

[Berkut]

I think it is clear that everyone is not paid enough, and if only the rich would do their part, they could all get paid what they are clearly worth.

Said amount to be determined by asking them nicely.

[Razgovory]

You should turn down your next pay raise, Berkut.  So that your rich employers aren't unduly bothered.

[Caliga]

The minimum pay for a first-year custodial engineer is almost $80,000 a year.

[Berkut]

The minimum pay for a first-year custodial engineer is almost $80,000 a year.

Well, to be fair this is in NYC.

[Berkut]

You should turn down your next pay raise, Berkut.  So that your rich employers aren't unduly bothered.

I am sure taking advice from you on work is the way to go.

[Admiral Yi]

The only fair solution is to raise the pay of teachers to 80,000 a year to start.

[Caliga]

I am sure taking advice from you on work is the way to go.

*shrug* Why not?  After all, you did vote for Obama.

[Syt]

Something's not quite right here.

Indeed, I think they prefer being called "custodians".

[KRonn]

Ok, one question I have is if the higher salaries are for maintenance custodians who may be required to have higher  level skills to maintain heating systems, plumbing, electrical items, etc? Or for the janitors, those who clean, wash floors, empty trash, etc?

[Razgovory]

I am sure taking advice from you on work is the way to go.

*shrug* Why not?  After all, you did vote for Obama.

Actually, my vote for Obama was for McCain, it was merely altered by ACORN-George Soros-Nation of Islam-Rotary Club.

[Caliga]

Actually, my vote for Obama was for McCain, it was merely altered by ACORN-George Soros-Nation of Islam-Rotary Club.

I was talking to Berkut.

[DontSayBanana]

Ok, one question I have is if the higher salaries are for maintenance custodians who may be required to have higher  level skills to maintain heating systems, plumbing, electrical items, etc? Or for the janitors, those who clean, wash floors, empty trash, etc?

That's a good question.  What I'm wondering is if they're requiring HVAC/plumbing/whatever certs, and it's really the school having unrealistic minimum qualifications affecting the bottom line.

[garbon]

Courtney Davis, a 10th-grader at the Roosevelt Education Campus in the Bronx, believes it should be the other way around.

"I think that the teachers should be making more money because we depend on them more than we depend on the custodians," she said.

Not really. I think at Marlborough High, I depended more on the janitors than my teachers.

[Razgovory]

Actually, my vote for Obama was for McCain, it was merely altered by ACORN-George Soros-Nation of Islam-Rotary Club.

I was talking to Berkut.

I imagine his was the same.  In fact, nobody actually voted for Obama.  It was merely a massive conspiracy.