Wisconsin teachers, thank you in advance for clearing this up for me. In looking at the job descriptions for elementary jobs, Kindergarten is not listed as "Elementary" on the pay scale. It is much lower on the pay scale than jobs grade 1 through 6. I am looking to relocate to Wisconsin from California. As a K teacher for 29 years, I am not sure why K is substantially lower on the pay scale. I am hoping to keep teaching for ten more years, but the drastic pay decrease is very alarming. Can someone clear this up for me as to why it is not included in the elementary pay scale? How is teaching K there so different than in California except that now I have 28 kids in my full day class with no aide?
I'm not from Wisconsin, but I think that may just be a particular district. I don't think that Wisconsin has a state-wide teacher salary pay scale. If you are seeing districts that wouldn't be compensating you fairly, I'd look for other districts.
A little poking around says that full-day kindergarten is not required in Wisconsin. I wonder if you were looking at some salary scales where they only offer one half-day session, so the teachers are only half-time (or 60% time)?
Hopefully someone can clear it up but the above posts sound plausible. Otherwise, live near the border if you can and work out of state. Also, there is no guarantee they *count all your years for salary guide but hopefully they will be honered.
WI kindergarten teachers would fall on the regular teacher pay scale, and they receive the same benefits as the rest of us. There are, however, some districts that still offer half day programs. In that case, you would usually teach two sections. Are you sure that you aren't thinking of 4K teachers? They often aren't paid the same because they can be employed by an outside entity.
Kindergarten in all districts around me are on the same pay scale as elementary and are on the same, full daily schedule.
Yes, that I know for sure. I am prepared to take a severe pay cut. But I need to work for insurance purposes. If I can postpone my California pension for a few years, I will be in better shape in the long run. And my expenses in WI will be one third of those I have here in CA.
Yes I looked at many district's pay scales and there has been a definite distinction between TK teachers and K teachers. But the half day program makes sense to me now. That was not even on my radar since I have been doing full day for over 26 years. Thanks for your post!
I know that here kindergarten is full day and part of the local public school system, so they are paid the same as elementary. Our pre-k program shares our facilities, but they are not technically part of the local district. They work Monday-Thursday, and their year is 2-3 weeks shorter. The degree requirements are different as well.
Welcome to California's public school night mare. I look forward to education that is not driven by asinine politicians and money monger administrators. I WANT OUT!
So quit. The suggestion that administrators are money mongers is rediculous. As if their extra pay somehow makes their motivation any less pure than yours. If your in this for the money, you picked the wrong gig. If you think politicians will make decisions you always disagree with, you are surely mistaken. We show up. We do our best. Why? #KidsDeserveIt
I marvel at your wisdom. Thank you for directing me on what I should be doing with my life. As an elementary educator for 29 years, I think by now I know that being a teacher in California is not my fiscally driven motive. But I am surely amused by the comment. Obviously, you have no clue as to the educational system in California or the politics around what is best for children. 28 kids in a Kindergarten class, no aide, and full day is an equation for a faulty foundation at best. So you misunderstood me clearly, I don't want out of teaching. I want out of California, darlin'.Oh and it's 'you're' and 'R I D I C U L O U S' . But I am sure you knew that.
As a California resident, all your neighbors would flip out at the only thing that could be done to raise revenues for education. Raise property taxes significantly. Money doesn't grow on trees and your state makes decisions based on what people are willing to live with. If they weren't willing to deal with it, they'd elect people who would do something else. Clearly your neighbors are willing to live with 28 kids in Kindergarten. Bash them instead of me.
I looked it up, and granted, that data online isn't always accurate, but LA county seemed to have a property tax rate that was less than half of where I live. In addition to that, schools only seem to be funded by that at a rate of 25%. Here, the vast majority in most places is funded by local property taxes. As a result, having a middle class town with property tax bills of 15,000-25,000 a year is not uncommon. The formula is reversed in urban areas here which get most of their funding from the state. I'm in a good district, funded by local taxes mostly and they have around 21 per Kindergarten (I think they'll go to 23). They can't afford to raise taxes to add another class so they work with what they have.
