CAT Tracks for September 3, 2010 FIRST PAYCHECK 2010-2011

Last year was the "transition year" to various changes in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (aka CBA; aka Contract)...changes affecting the employee salary schedule. As such, the occasion "inspired" four editions of CAT Tracks.

Hopefully, this year...one will do!

On Page 45 of your CAT Bible (aka your Contract booklet...that with the yellow cover), you will find a salary schedule for the 2010-2011 School Year. You should IGNORE THAT SCHEDULE.

If you will recall, THAT SALARY SCHEDULE is for "recruiting" new teachers...showing the larger salary that includes Board Paid Retirement (thousands of dollars that are sent directly to the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System (TRS). (Those extra dollars will provide a pleasant surprise come retirement day, but for now...forgetaboutit!)

Immediately below, you will find a copy of the "Banned in Cairo" salary schedule...the one that shows "taxable salary". This is the salary that counts...the salary that when divided by 24 will show you how much "Gross Earnings" should be reported on your paycheck stub...BEFORE DEDUCTIONS.

You "old folks" will note a pleasant surprise. Through the proactive efforts of Justin Miller at the District's Central Office, the salary schedule shows the salaries of those CATs who have sacrificed several of their 9 lives and earned the right to be paid "off the salary schedule" (beyond the Step 29 listed in the Bible.)

Anyway...

Do the math!

Example:

Let's say that you have taught in CSD #1 (or elsewhere) for a total of 10 years...the 2010-2011 School Year being your 11th year of teaching. Let's say that you have a Bachelor's Degree + 16 hours. You would look at the salary schedule above...Step 11, Lane 2...and find taxable salary of $36,148. You would whip out your handy dandy calculator (or cell phone app), enter 3-6-1-4-8, hit the division sign, enter 2-4, and punch the "=" sign. The readout screen should show 1506.1666. Therefore, you should expect the first line on your paycheck stub "Gross Earnings" to show $1506.17...on September 15, 2010 and every check thereafter (unless you earn some extra pay for coaching, club sponsorship, workshops, tutoring, etc.)

Folks...it ain't rocket science!

Speaking of "deductions"...

If you were the teacher in the above example, you should expect to see $1506.17 as your "Gross Earnings". (I will repeat my admonition of last year...no "catty commentary" on the "Gross Earnings." As teachers are frequently reminded..."You did NOT become a teacher to become rich.")

However...

You should not expect $1506.17 to be deposited into your bank account (even on those paydays when the direct deposits are actually made. Yeah...MEOW!)

There should be deductions...

For example:

In addition to the above, there may be more...depending on your particular circumstances.

Through the years, a wise and familiar refrain has accompanied payday in Cairo School District Number One...

CHECK YOUR CHECK!!!

Last year, for instance, we had several CATs who were "excused" from paying union dues. At least one employee did not have federal taxes withheld. Other employees had extra amounts withheld for the District's group health insurance.

If you notice any of these things (or others) immediately notify the payroll department at the District's Central Office. If you do not like the answer you receive, contact your CAT Building Representative!

In the instance where you receive more money than you are entitled to, it's nice...in the short run. However, if/when the error is discovered "down the line", it could be a big OUCH!!!

Best to fess up...

On September 15th when you receive your first paycheck for the 2010-2011 School Year...

CHECK YOUR CHECK!!!

After that...(unless you do extra work), the next 23 paychecks should be exactly the same!!!

If they are not, bears repeating... CHECK YOUR CHECK!!!