I am writing to inform you of House Bill 739 An Act relative to non-public school service sponsored by Representative Timothy J. Toomey 26th Middlesex along with Representatives Colleen M. Garry 36th Middlesex and Elizabeth A. Malia 11th Suffolk. This bill would allow teachers to “buy back” up to four years of creditable service for time teaching In a non-public school. I am sure that, as in many school systems across the Commonwealth, there are many teachers in the New Bedford School Department who began their careers teaching in a non-public school. These individuals would benefit greatly, be able to retire at a reasonable age, if this bill were to be enacted.
Currently, H739 is in committee. Tim Snyder, Representative Toomey’s senior aide, has indicated to me that the bill has not yet been reported favorably or unfavorably by the Joint Committee on Public Service. Mr. Snyder stated that Representative Toomey has received indications that the bill will not be reported favorably this session. The reason that Mr. Snyder offers for this is the current state of the public’s cynicism about abuses in the Commonwealth’s pension system. Representative Toomey has submitted written testimony in support of the legislation and has urged the Public Service Committee chairman to release the bill favorably, but at this moment he in not optimistic that the bill will advance this session.
Please contact your state representatives and request that they petition the Joint Commission on Public Service and the Public Service Committee chairman to release the bill favorably during this session.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this matter.
5 comments:
Ever heard of separation of state and church...if you do this then introduce a bill to give every women 4 years of service for being a mother,,,,,,,,,
If you chose to work in the private education field and were not offered a pension for those years, then that's just too bad. You knew that walking in. I have to pay 11% a week for mine. Unless the price for those years is the equivalent of what we pay now then it's not fair and I can see how many would view it as just another abuse of the pension system. The whole point of that pension is putting the time in. You didn't, so get over it.
For those who think that this bill should not be passed shame on you. I want to retire in 5 years. Listen to what I have to say.
I graduated in the 1970s and the jobs were limited to working in Vermont public schools for $6000 a year or being a sub until someone either died, retired or left for a better position. I did not have connections or relatives to get me into a better paying public school teaching position. So I left my dream of teaching children and went to work in the “outside world” where you got paid by the hour, kissed ass to keep your job, and tried to keep my head above water.
I finally took a chance and became a sub in 5 different districts. I kept my ears opened read a lot of want ads.
The only job I was able to get was in the private school sector. I worked with the “behavior problem” students that the public school teachers wanted out of their classroom and out of their school. I took the job that no one wanted to do and I did it for 7 years. I did have security but nothing else. They did not offer any retirement plan. I had to work 6 weeks every summer , eat every lunch with the students, and watch my back.
For all of this I was paid in my last year there $28,000 with a Masters.. I paid for my classes to get a Masters and worked 2 to 3 other jobs just so my family had a roof over their heads and food to eat. There was no professional development, no sick days, and no retirement.
What I learned there prepared me to take over some of the behavior kids in New Bedford. I did that for 6 years.
I now teach some of the regular students.
To the person who thinks that all private schools are religious bases-WRONG. To the person who thinks that they should pay you fair share I agree. If you buy back you not only pay that, they also tack on interest. It will be fair like you ask, plus interest. Because there were few jobs back then, I put in the time in a private school taking care of and teaching kids you couldn’t and wouldn’t teach. I took the only teaching job available.
WE should push for this because it is fair to the teachers who got their experience in an unprotected environment. Do you want to wait until the state takes over our pension and tells you that you cannot get it until you are 70? They can and do what they will if we don’t back each other.
Seperation of State and Church? I don't say any correlation here whatsoever. Learn the definition of a phrase before you use it. The Bill is proposing that these individuals have the opportunity to "BUY" those years back at a cost to be determined. Nothing is being given to them. They are educators of our youth whether it be in the private sector or the public sector. There is absolutely no downside to this proposal. Shame on a society that doesn't at least try to offer something to our educators. This is not an abuse of the pension system, they would be paying in to the system for the years they are gaining as opposed to being given an early retirement that the State offers in other areas at no additional cost. Some people just can't see past their own noses ...
I thank those two people who feel that passing this is a good prospect. I also worked in the private sector because when I graduated with my degree the only jobs available were thoe of a sub. I did this for two years and finally had the opportunity to teach full time at a cost of $7,500 a year with no benefits for at least three years. I consistently applied other places with no results. I feel that I paid my dues after 17 years of service.
To anonymous at the beginning, shame on both of you. How lucky you both were to be able to work the way you did and how sad that you have such poor outlooks toward your fellow teachers. We all do the same job wherever you teach. Nobody is better than the other. That other person could be the person next to you so think twice and help pass this bill.
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