Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: weaselsan on March 03, 2004, 04:04:20 PM
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Michigan teacher must cover cost of substitute while on military duty
GRAND RAPIDS -- A Michigan school district told a teacher activated for military duty that he must cover the cost of a substitute during part of his absence and give the district some of his military pay.
At a school board meeting this week, angry teachers, students and district residents criticized the decision by administrators at Kenowa Hills Public Schools.
"Is this how you treat people that defend your country?" Tom Lovett, a teacher's spouse and district resident, asked board members.
Barry Bernhardt, a middle school science teacher and a National Guard reservist for at least a decade, started serving two weeks of active duty in Italy on Monday, the day of the school board meeting.
During the 10 days Bernhardt will be gone from the classroom, he will use two personal days and two compensation days during his time off.
For the remaining six days, Bernhardt must pay the district $74 per day for the substitute teacher filling in for him and turn over the $78 in salary that he will receive each day from the National Guard, The Grand Rapids Press reported.
"The district missed a golden opportunity to reflect on the patriotic duty of all Americans to, in our own way, celebrate the accomplishments of the service not only of Barry, but of all the men and women who stand for our country," said Ron La Fave, a Kenowa Hills teacher.
Superintendent Jim Gillette said the district was following the law when it crafted its agreement with Bernhardt. A similar agreement was drawn up on one other occasion, years earlier, when Bernhardt was assigned to Bosnia during a tour of duty.
In most previous years, Bernhardt has fulfilled his military assignments while on vacation, Gillette said.
"It's inaccurate to say we didn't do anything for him. We did provide significant assistance," the superintendent said, adding that the district continues to provide Bernhardt with all his other benefits during his absence.
In the end, the teacher will receive $573 more than he would have after the two-week military leave, Gillette said. Bernhardt will give the district only six days' worth of his military pay, and he also will receive a military housing allowance.
When compared to employees of private companies, the district is doing what it should to protect Bernhardt's financial stability, Gillette said.
"It's a fact that he's not losing money, that he's making money. Whatever way you look at it, he's still making money," he said.
In neighboring Grand Rapids Public Schools, teachers called to duty receive two weeks of unpaid leave but are not required to pay for a substitute teacher.
As a result of Bernhardt's situation, Kenowa Hills school board members now are likely to create a specific policy covering employee military leave.
"In the future, he's not going to get out that well," Gillette saidhttp://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm18723_20040303.htm (http://)
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There not allowed to do that..
They have to pay it for themselves they knew what they were getting into when they hired an Enlisted member of the military force..
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They are allowed to do whatever they want. The result is exactly what you are reading above.
MiniD
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Scum.... f-scum!
I hope the people remeber this when the school board members come up for reelection.
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Making him pay for a substitute is not right. At least Congress passed a law that prevents reservists from LOSING money while on active duty by supplimenting their pay and allowances. Just out of curiousity, how many members of that board are veterans? My bet is 0.
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LOL Where's Kieran :D :aok :rofl
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They are NOT allowed to do that and they will shortly find out.
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Originally posted by Maverick
They are NOT allowed to do that and they will shortly find out.
Yep
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Originally posted by Staga
LOL Where's Kieran :D :aok :rofl
What would you like me to say, Staga? How might I perform for you? (imagine all the usual inappropriate emoticons here)
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They are allowed to do that... quite distinctly. Basically.. the teacher appears to be getting full pay plus his active duty pay. They are reducing the difference... or taking a portion of his active duty pay. (which is going to be substantially less than his teacher's pay).
This is normal for a buisness. They don't pay your full salary while you are active duty unless they want to. They only pay the difference (Basically... subtract your active duty pay from your salary), and they usually only have to do it for a limited time. The only real thing they have to do is not fire you while your on active duty, and provide you with a very similar job position when you return.
MiniD
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My software company pays my salary when I'm out on Jury Duty, but I'm supposed to remit the $5 or whatever I get per day back to my biz.
Is this any different?
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What MiniD said. You are guaranteed pay while you are gone. Doesn't mean you get paid from both places.
Somebody grabbed this and made something sensationalistic out of it. Always another side to a story...
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Bastard Liberals. I bet they are all gay commies as well.
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This has been all over the news in michigan.
Dont really see a problem with it. Most companys i think would do the same thing.
He is not really losing money. It must have been a slow news day....
btw The company i am with wont even pay if i get called into jury duty unless i have been here for over a year.
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A school board is not a business. The teacher's union (if there is one for that district) will be all over that. Then again, he's a gov't employee after all, and he's simply going to employment within the gov't at a different capacity. Should make for an interesting legal decision.
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["It's a fact that he's not losing money, that he's making money. Whatever way you look at it, he's still making money," he said.
LOL :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl
That sounds like my wife when she buys something on sale:
"See honey, I saved you money!"
:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl
That whole school board should get their walking papers...after being charged for the cost of processing their termination.
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Like MiniD said, that's legal.
When I was activated for the first Persian Gulf war, I was away from my job for 8 weeks. The only gurantee you have with your employer is getting your job back.
When I returned, they'd hired someone else and claimed too bad. The National Guard showed up, leaned on the manager real good and pointed out the law. Rumor has it, they were "magically" audited that tax year too :p
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This doesnt seem right to me.. I am a reservist. Your employer is not entitled to pay you anything while on duty. I dont see where they are paying him anything. His housing allowance should not be included because it is an entitlement. It also is not taxable. They pay the difference of your base pay not including your entitlements. But why does he have to pay for a sub? Thats the part that has me baffled.
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Every time another story like this pops up, I'm reminded why I quit the teaching profession.
Unbelievable.
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The taxpayers of that county already pay income taxes to support the military.
Now they are basically asked to additionally finance an individual soldier with their school taxes (by paying his salary while he is not working for them) even though he is serving the whole country, not just the schoool district.
That is not equitable. Why should a business employing many reservists suffer compared to a business that refuses to hire any?
How hypporitical of self-labeled "conservatives" - refusing to pay the full price for the military and blaming the "liberals" for wanting to pay less taxes.
Isnt's that the opposite of a conservative views?
miko
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In most previous years, Bernhardt has fulfilled his military assignments while on vacation, Gillette said.
Been there, done that. :(
Charon
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You guys do realize the teacher is getting his pay one way or another, and his position is secure. This is not illegal or even unethical.
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Wow. I can believe that i am agreeing with miko2d
At least in part..
He is getting his money, He is just not getting paid for 2 jobs while only working one.
That what they mean by him having to pay the school.