Ms. Boyd, you are ridiculous. You have not negotiated in good faith in my opinion, have not been willing to consider the economic times that the taxpayers in your district are facing, and aren't even serving the members of your union. I do agree that the teachers do not want to picket, mainly because a large portion f them do not agree with how you are approaching this. You are the one who is dragging out the process and, in turn, keeping their salaries frozen by not negotiating in good faith.

I hope you sleep well at night as you rob my young children of their education.

Sincerely,

jeff t. (self-employed, self-insured Neshaminy taxpayer)

fire all the teachers,bring in subs--lock the teachers out and let them get a real life like the rest of us. keep paying higher taxes and these bastards want more-give them shit and bring in all the subs

Louise, here's the thing in case you haven't heard....... times are tough, the economy is dreadful but you keep your head up while you complain about the ridiculous amounts of money and amazing benefits that you all receive. Oh and do it all while complaining that you deserve more. Hundreds of catholic school teachers would love your pay and benefits. I really think you backed yourself into a corner here, the public does not support you or your union.

I cannot believe the teachers at Neshaminy. Are that that far out of touch with reality that they actually have the audacity to strike when the economy is in the gutter, jobs are being lost, housing is crashing and the dollar is not worth nearly what it should be. The teachers do not want to even pay a single portion of their health care? Mine just went up again! I think it is time for a Ronald Reagan type action with the air traffic controllers like it was back in the 80's. Fire them all and give some unemployed teachers jobs that they desperately need.

Teachers are paid with tax payer dollars! Publish their salaries and let the people decide!

The teachers have agreed to pay toward their healthcare. The teachers have attempted negotiate, which refers to a give and take. The board has said take it or leave it.

way to go for that board

There are numerous people out of work and people losing their homes today, more that I ever seen in my adult life. These teachers have the nerve to feel that they don't make enough ? That they don't have good benefits ? As tax payers we pay these clowns quite a bit. Its time to fight back and bring in people who take pride in their jobs!! Not just for money and what more they can take.from us... DOWN with the NFT and all the "Bone Heads" who run it !!!

Is this a JOKE ? Is this union thinking they have backing from the taxpayers at a time when things are terrible for everyone ? Take the hit like everyone else.Better yet.... Try to find a job that pays you as much as you make with the benefits you have in the private sector ! Go ahead !! Having morons for teachers does not bode well for the future of our children !

Neshaminy Teachers need to meet the teachers from Upland-Chester. Those teachers REALLY care about the students! They received last pay check until an agreement is worked out with the State and have said they will stay on the job as long as they can WITHOUT PAY!!!!!!!!!!!! How many Neshaminy teachers would do that??????

Luckily, @Wary Citizen, teacher pay and benefits is a matter of public record. http://www.neshaminytaxpayers.com/Certified_Staff.pdf

These teachers have been trying to negotiate for four years. Striking is a card they had to play. I support the teachers' effort to bring the board to a settlement. NFT the public does support your effort to maintain professional salaries and benefits. Stand strong.

As if Neshaminy Teacher's Union isn't unpopular enough! The school board's offer was fair and generous, especially in these tough times. The gravy train of the past 10 years is over..for ALL of us.

THIS is why I am moving out! I have had enough of this area! High taxes, builders building every where, more crime, and we are looking like the city of Philadelphia! Have you counted how many bars and tattoo shops there are now? And now this! I wish I could work for so many months per year, get a nice three months vacation with pay. They do unemployment, right? and when they go on strike. do they get compensation for it? They get more pay - YOUR taxes will go up - not mine - I am outta here!

CA is Louise Boyd trolling on this site to make it seem like she has the support of the community

Louise Boyd are you negiotating for yourself, the teachers, or the NFT? You are certainly not negiotating on behalf of the Teachers, who certainly are paid at parity within the community. This was not the case back in the mid-70's when the School Strike's first began. Times have changed as well as the economy; no longer are tax payers able to afford on "their backs" the salaries, plus benefits, plus extra incentives the teachers are paid.

If you would kindly drive around the Levittown area, you would notice all the homes either for sale and/or in foreclosure at this time. This is indicative that people are in financial crisis and no, they cannot afford higher taxes in order to meet "your demands".

We stand behind our School Board and their stance on this issue, that is why they are there - to insure that we are not taken over the coals once again. As there is also the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System (also known as PSERS) that is currently unfunded. We the taxpayers will also take the "hit" for this as well.

Enough Louise, you need to back up your wagons, before we suggest to our School Board that any and all Teachers who Strike after a certain date, be fired, all of them, and be replaced - which would be the ideal solution to this situation. There are many who were laid off, new Teachers, that would gladly come back at their original starting salary with a new contract, that does not include such outlandish demands.

Greed. They care about themself not our community. If they want to strike - fire them all and tell them if they want to work, work under a new contract. There would be a line around the block with people willing and able to work.

From the number of signs on people's lawns showing I Support My Neshamny School Board - I highly doubt Louise Boyd has the backing of the Tax Payers of this Community. If she is indeed trolling, she has picked the wrong place to do so, and should return to the NFT site, where she would have a better audience.

Higher Taxes, less disposal income, no raises, higher Medical Costs - these are the things we every day tax payers have been dealing with for OVER five plus years or more. Wake up Louise - Teachers are not exempt from REALITY !!!!

If they want to strike fire them! Plenty of people in our community who love to work close to home! They are replaceable like anyone else. Serious if we all had " the give me" mind set- come on somebody! Grow up teachers! Your suppose to set an example for the children!

These teachers make on average almost $80,000.00 a year with summers off. All this strike says is how selfish and greedy the teachers are. I'm sure that in order for the teachers demands to be met our taxes would have to go up - again. All so the teachers do not have to contribute to their health insurance. I cannot believe their doing this!

It's simply amazing the number of Teachers in the Neshaminy District who teach there - but do not live within the District and pay taxes within this District - yet expect us - the tax payers to pay their higher and higher salaries and benefit packages. Maybe it should be like some of the other Departments in Middletown - if you work within the District - you must live here as well - that way you reap what you sow - you too get to pay for your own "salary and benefit package" - and increase in taxes as well. Might that be a nice addition to the "New Contract". Neshaminy School Board - take that into consideration - after this temporary suspension of meetings between you and the NFT - put that into the negotiations - and let's see how Louise Boyd would like that to be played out with the "Teachers" having to live within the District they Teach within. So many ways to pull the plug on this Strike and how this is being handled by Ms. Boyd.

What would happen if they were all given notice of termination as of June 30th and anyone interested in reapplying would be given first consideration as long as they accepted the "new" contract? The 10 to 15 percent who refused could be replaced.

Just a thought.

Colleen S, there are many teachers who are at the top of their tier level - we are talking about $98k to $100k per year - and some of these are Librianian's - not that a Library Teacher is not valuable - but $98k value (?) - vs a Calculus Teacher or a Biology Teacher vs a Trigonometry Teacher or another teacher in a higher learning class such as this. Yet because of step raises - Master Equivilency Credits - and of course let's not forget the Teacher Buy-Out clause after so many years of "being a Teacher" at Neshaminy - and earning Health Care Benefits paid for by - yes - once again "we the tax payers" - until they turn 65 and then are eligible for Medicare - it's a golden package they have - don't we all wish we had such an "entitlement".

Louise, what would your motive be in destroying the NTF and all that we have stood for? If this union is broken it's demise will truly rest on you. We have tried to understand your decisions but quite frankly, most of us are confused. We have alienated ourselves from the parents, the administration, the community and most of all, our professionalism as teachers. I can only hope that this community and see past the foolishness of our NFT leadership and understand that "most" of us still care about the students and our jobs. We can be replaced, let's not ruin what was once a great thing. Part of what I love about teaching is the respect and admiration. Don't negotiate that away. We should take our losses and show our true commitment. After all, we really do have great jobs!!!

For a moment let's pretend the economy is not in the toilet, our house values are steadily increasing, jobs were plentiful and taxes could be raised without limits with the community in a position to absorb it. Now, under those conditions, I still do not understand why our district, Neshaminy, earns the right to be the highest paid in the area with perks that have not been a part of surrounding districts CBA's in years. When my children's homework is material that has apparently has been copied out of a book, and re-copied for the past 5 or 10 years, when a classroom curriculum is sent home the first day of school but the year at the top is from 2 years ago, lack of communication from school to home and PSSA scores significantly dropping. Since we are not existing in that ecomomic environment, now more than ever, it is imperative the NFT to provide the Neshaminy taxpaying community with justification for their requested increases and perks. Ms. Boyd's position that 'we don't give back' is not enough.

Please check out this website: www.nsdboard.blogspot.com

If you care to check the website posted by "DB" in this article, you'll note that the total benefits that Louise receives for the 2009/2010 period is $121,355.00. We must all say a prayer for her to cope with her financial stress.
Ed

The teachers union needs to wake up and look around--they are lucky to even have jobs let alone such secure ones! I am sure there are many recently laid off teachers or upcoming new graduates who would be thrilled to step into your positions. For those of you not in support of your union leadership you should stand up for yourselves and do the right thing. The more "seasoned" teachers are "bullying" you to make decisions you are not all even in agreement with. Aren't we a No Bully" school district engaged in teaching our children the negative effects of bullying and peer pressure? Many of the teachers are there to teach and would like to put an end to this and do the job they signed on for!

Does this Louise chick even teach? Seriously, Im not sure and would like to know. Ty!

To Colleen S, please check your grammar and spelling before posting accusations that imply that you are able to do a better job than NSD teachers can. I "truely" think "your" the idiot. And do you realize that Catholic school still teach by the rote method? They do not challenge their students, as you directly state. And I should know, I teach at a Catholic high school. Please have some semblance of a clue before you post inane ideas. If you would like, Colleen S, I can define some of the vocabulary I used here.

I didn't think this was a grammar site; although Colleen may have made her point, there was no reason to attack her post. I do not believe she stated she would make a better teacher herself. Please re-read her post for accuracy.

Many of us were taught by the "rote method", memorizing our multiplication tables, and other things while in grade schoool; is that such a bad thing? I went to a Public School, not a Catholic School. Neshaminy teaches reading with a Whole Language Approach in grade school, although many were taught with Phonics during their early school years in other School Districts.

There is ample evidence that supports Phonics is a better method:
Because of disagreements over the years about which type of reading instruction is best, phonics or whole language, the National Reading Panel began a study in 1997 to settle the debate. In 2000, the Panel resleased its findings, stating that there are five essential components that must be taught in an effective reading program: phonemic awareness, phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary development, and reading comprehension.

So if one feels that teaching by the rote method is out dated, research indicates it is not, if one is willing to verify and do the research on this.

Let's not allow grammar issues to cloud the real issues of what "we the tax payers" will be burdened with as the NFT continues on their course of action. More money from "we the tax payers". Stand your ground Neshaminy School Board !!
Your post was not as innocuous as you may have assumed it was. Now back to the subject at hand. The Strike, the NFT, and what we the Tax Payers will end up paying if our School Board does not continue to keep their stand on this.

For SJP: I "truely" think "your" the idiot - it's "you're" - not "your" - as well as "truly" -not "truely". Thank the Grammar Police :)

First of all, why can't I attack Colleen's post if she is issuing an assault on teachers? That does not make sense to say it is okay for one, but not the other. Secondly, I have correctly shown that the words I have written are not my own. I have even properly employed MLA in showing to whom those words belonged. That's why it was in quotation marks. I was quoting from previous entries. In order to show that you are simply restating something, one uses quotation marks. If you would like to attack me or my opinions, please have some logic first. And in which periodical would these findings have been "resleased"? And for you information, the use of quotation marks was to show your misspelling. in the future, if you would not like me to "attack" Colleen S, then you should not either.

Hey, BJean. Good response. I resign myself to your superior intelligence. I'm glad you are educating the future of America. Oh, you're not, I'm glad, we have some hope. Anything else? Is my response to your response too much of an "attack"?

Sorry, BJean. Despite the fact that I live within Neshaminy
School District, your vote counts less than mine. I am humbled by your superiority.

To SJP: I believe you are a Catholic school teacher as much as I believe Sara Jessica Parker has suddenly joined this discussion thread. Given what the Catholic schools just went through on Friday and that your alleged brothers and sisters are now losing their jobs, I doubt you are here supporting the NFT, especially considering Colleen was giving Catholic school teachers a compliment.

Your attempt to deflect from the real issues by attacking someone’s grammar or spelling is not only apparent, it's juvenile. The focus is on our messages, not our editorial skills. You can disagree with a post, but as a purported teacher, one would think you would have the ability to string together a cogent argument worthy of this important issue. Even professional authors have editors for a reason. Play nice: God is watching.

Your defense is so good, I genuflect in your general direction. I wish I was as smart as you. My "message" is not as "cogent" as your message is. I am so glad that you are approaching this with an open mind. The students of Neshaminy could benefit from a mind like yours. Would you kinky place your resume on pareap.com? I'm sure you will hired forthright.

Oh, I forgot to ask, would Jwindbucks and BJean kindly reveal their professions, or are they too scared? Is having a teacher defending a fellow teacher too imposing? It's like the politician attacking his opponent but offering no answer to the problem. Or the fan saying that A dy Reid should be fired, but having me clue how to run a team. Please offer your professional resumes so that we may bow in your honor.

Hi All. Please make sure to keep comments civil and keep the language appropriate otherwise your comment may be deleted per Patch's Terms of Service. Thank you.

Instead of pointing out grammar and spelling mistakes, let's stick to the issue. All of these unions and Government workers need to realize the entire country is in serious trouble We (meaning all taxpayers) including the above mentioned cannot continue to pay for all the entitlements and welfare of others This is a typical union response to question their position or good nature is to attack bully or belittle Notice that people like that never mention a solution or compromise to lessen the burden put on us Like Chris Christy in NJ said if you are that unhappy being a teacher and if your not making the money and benefits that you want then do like us people in the private sector and find a new job

Attacking each other as "tax payers" is exactly what the NFT would like to see happen. Wouldn't that play nicely into their hands. If they are able to keep their "group" together as a "united front" - but conquer and divide the "tax payers" - what a win that would be for the NFT.

So back to the discussion at hand. Neshaminy School Board, with the Strike beginning on Monday, thank you for providing Day Care at many of the schools for parents with children at what to me seems to be an affordable cost. For those who can't afford this, I feel badly for you, as it's so unreasonable that you should suffer another hardship during these tough economic times as it is.

As far as the Teachers who will be Striking, it's time to pull the plug on these people and out right fire the entire lot of them. As stated on the other thread, Conwell-Egan will be closing, as well as several other area schools. There will be a plethora of teachers ready, willing, and capable of replacing those who do not wish to come to reason with a "new contract" - that will not bankrupt this Community. As well as those whom have been laid off, who were non-contract teachers, who I think would love to get their jobs back under a "newly written contract" as well.

It's time to overhaul this entire Contract and School District, so that the Tax Payers and the Teachers both are within "parity" with each other. The would include health care, no more major raises (just because), no step increases (just because), no sick days paid when you retire (just because) - you don't use them - you lose them, like most other employer's have for their employees. I could go on and on - but this is one Contract that needs thoroughly overhauled from top-to-bottom.

Stand your ground Neshaminy School Board - we the tax payers are 100% behind you!!!!

Four years ago the PERS was underfunded at that point in time, as the School District decided that since the Markets were doing so well, they did not need to fund it to the levels they once had. Then the Markets crashed in 2008, and if you look at the numbers for PERS you will see that in the coming years "we the tax payers" as the School District will be seeing 26.7% increase in the funding of PERS - which will come out of your pocket and my pocket as well.

This along with all the other elements of this Contract the NFT wants written into this - such as so little being paid toward Health Care. Are you aware of how little they pay for a doctor's visit? Do you pay a mere $5 or $10 to see a doctor, let alone a Specialist. I know I pay $35 for a regular doctor visit, and for a Specialist it is $50. An Out-Patient Procedure is $400 OOP expense for myself. This is not even beginning to talk about what the actual cost is of the health care premiums itself. These are just the co-pays "every day person(s)" pay now.

Do you truly believe in the first year the NFT would have been wiling to "give back" much of anything? We would have been in a much worse position had this been settled back then; with a Contract in place that tax payers would be unable to afford.

Again, look around at your local areas - do a search for foreclosures on your zip code - and see what you find, it will amaze you to see how many homes in the Neshaminy School District are in foreclosure at this time. Let alone those up for sale, and not in foreclosure. Seniors are fleeing their homes, in fear of the upcoming assault on them in the way of tax increases for School Taxes. Talk to the Senior Citizens, and they will tell you on their limited incomes, they cannot afford to continue paying into this "charade".

Stand your ground NSB - there are many tax payers behind you 100%, with the exception of a few who feel you may have been better off finishing this four years ago - and saddling us with an even bigger debt "today".

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I say, get rid of these bloodsuckers and call in some hungry, eager and yes maybe even YOUNGER, energetic, teachers who will cry tears of joy for a job making what these disgraceful teachers make now! And get these lard- butted, sluggish, selfish people who forgot somewhere along the way why they decided to become teachers in the first place, outta here!!!

Let us hope the board will decide to put an end to this. Hopefully they will negotiate and come up with a fair contract once and for all.

Stand your ground, Neshaminy School Board!! We support you 100%!!!

We have seen them stand there ground and look where we are.

We are not allowing the NFT to walk all over the Neshaminy School Board and allow an expensive, outrageous contract to be put into play - like what happened previously. This School Board understands the tax payers concerns; that this is no longer affordable to the local Community. That is where we are today. Stand your ground Neshaminy School Board !!!

We will see if the NFT really wants to end this and accept the fair contract. I hope they will meet where it does not hurt the tax payers and they do not care about the kids - or they would not be on a picket line as of 1/9/12. Stand your ground Neshaminy School Board !!!!

So the general sentiment of the Taxpayers in Neshaminy School District is that due to the current economy you have no rights to question your employer and that no one else should have that right as well. I wonder if any of you would have the courage to go to your boss tomorrow and say; "Hey I know the economy is horrible, so could you cut my salary by 20%, get rid of my benefits, and I'll work for free on the weekends." None of you would, yet you expect others too, if you feel they get too much ask yourself one question. How did they get that? Answer, they stood up for it and fought to get what they felt they were owed. If more of us did that maybe we wouldn't be in the economic mess we're in instead of letting the money get sucked up by the Casino known as Wall Street. .

Wall Street, where did this enter this - ????

They need to be on the picket line to fight for what they have and not give it all back because of a bad economy. When the economy gets bad that is when you go after the public employees in all professions. Thankfully most of them have unions and someone to help them fight for what they deserve.

Compared to other districts, then check out the NSB "offer". The board is demanding nehsamniy teacehrs to work more hours than anyone in Bucks, more days than anyone in Bucks, with worse healthcare than anyone in Bucks, while contributing more than anyone in bucks, with less say in operation than anyone in bucks while making less money than anyone in Bucks. In short the NSB idea of "negotiating" is looking at the surrounding districts and making sure they give our teachers the worst in every category. All the while Neshaminy has some of the lowest taxes (no local tax) and is bulking up their bank account. The economy is recovering the money is there. Don't let those liars tell you different look at the numbers!

Compared to other districts, then check out the NSB "offer". The board is demanding nehsamniy teacehrs to work more hours than anyone in Bucks, more days than anyone in Bucks, with worse healthcare than anyone in Bucks, while contributing more than anyone in bucks, with less say in operation than anyone in bucks while making less money than anyone in Bucks. In short the NSB idea of "negotiating" is looking at the surrounding districts and making sure they give our teachers the worst in every category. All the while Neshaminy has some of the lowest taxes (no local tax) and is bulking up their bank account. The economy is recovering the money is there. Don't let those liars tell you different look at the numbers! And no, I'm not a teacher, just someone who knows that a good school makes a good community.

Making less than anyone in Bucks???? If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. Move aside and let all those folks who are going to be out of jobs when all those archdiocesan schools close, move in. I can tell you this much, they have not had a raise in years - they were just happy to have jobs...jobs, I might add, making far less than what Neshaminy teachers are making. I"ll keep on saying it too : Stick to your guns, NSB, the taxpayers who pay these teachers' saleries back you up all the way!

Why can't we just go to arbitration, 4 years is ridiculous and horrible for our community. Bring in a professional arbitrator and settle this by the weekend! it's not that hard!

John Evans must still be down on the farm and out of touch. The realization of the matter is that these teacher need to bite the bullet just like all of us during these economic times. Since when is $445.00 a day, not a good salary? Teachers work 180 days a year. Based on these days it amounts to $445.00 a day. When it snow, holidays, summers, etc... off. If they choose to work during the summer months, more power to them. Instead of 78k a year they could make more. I am a professional, master degree, employeed, paying into my health insurance - 35%. If I don not perform my job at a satisfactory, if not above, level I will lose my job. Tenured teachers???? Neshaminy School district has went from 153rd to 245th in four key categories (math, reading, writing, science), Why??? If they are so dedicated to the students what has happened? Just like all of us, they should reap the benefits if warranted. If our job performance drops, aren't we fired? $445.00 plus benefits. Totally ridiculous. John Evans come off the farm and back to reality.

I guess that represents all teachers. This is why they went on strike. They get no respect. What a shame. We see how much the School Board values education and wonder why we rank so low. It starts at the top. Negotiate a fair contract.

To Matt,
Are you serious? Biting the bullet? The teachers were asked to pay 15%, they agreed to 8%. Is that biting the bullet? We have had enough. School scholastic ranking plummeting, tenured teachers (who just put in the time), etc.... Taxpayers just barely being able to pay the enormous school taxes. Come on now. Get real.
Asking for the moon then negotiating for anything that sticks. The amount of foreclosures, taxes not being paid, do you not think that taxes will already escalate to make up the lack of payments. Then on top of that, more demands from the taxpayers. I am sure many people would love to work 1/2 a year, get 80k, full medical benefits, life insurance, disability insurance and relax during a nice summer vacation of 12 weeks. Not bad, huh.... Biting the bullet???? Entitlement should warrant excellence in service. Not mediocrity.
Matt, do you have students at the Neshaminy School District? Are you satisfied knowing that the PSSA scores have plummeted? Bite the bullet??? I think the children are being sacrificed at the expense of greed.
When is enough, enough??? Can't get a better CAKE job. If i work i work, if i don't i still get paid having the likes of Ms.Boyd behind you.

I do have students in the district. Paying 8% is fine with me. They are not paying anything right now. That would be an 8% increase. Sounds fair. Now they only work 6 months a year and are off 12 weeks in the summer. Sounds a little like the school boards calculations.

Matt exactly what you wrote. WE do see how much the school board values education. Thanks to them, hopefully, they will demand that our teachers excel. Reap the reward - great. Just educate. HOW CAN POOR PERFORMANCE BE REWARDED. Maybe it is time for newly educated teachers. Teachers that want to perform. Teachers that care about the student. Once again, not all teachers are bad apples, but with the performance of the test scores, something has to be done.
Another point, I have a child with asthma. According to a call that I received yesterday, school will be in session until June 30. High temperature trigger his asthma. No air conditioning, school was not to last that long. School district has no available funds to air condition schools because of the demand of teachers that have been getting benefits for the last 3-4 years, full paid (this is not enough???)
TAXPAYERS GET OUT THERE TO VOTE YOUR CONCERNS TONIGHT - UNITE

Matt, an 8% increase. How much have our school taxes gone up in the last 4 years? How much will the taxes increase, if the 8% is accepted? Look at past experience.
Taxes will increase at LEAST 8%. The majority of people that live near you, are they happy about their school taxes? I guarantee not. I don't know where you get your economics, but if 15% is required, why not 15% then according to your theory.
15% is more than 8%, so that is 15% less you would have to pay. How about 80% wouldn't that be 80% less than what you would have to pay???? I am using your so called "logic". True???

matt,
better yet, lets just make it 100%, that would be 100% less than what you have to pay.
Everything settled. Let the strike be over. Classes resume. Children start to learn. No increases for school taxes. I am all for it. You have a great theory. Voice that tonight. I am sure, you will have the backing of all if not a majority of tax payers. BRAVO Matt
a truly GREAT IDEA.

MATT,
you never respond to the plummeting PSSA ranking? Are you happy with that, considering, your children are in the district. Don't you want the best for them?

My biggest fear is the damage to the community this contract is causing. Please refrain from calling names, especially if you do not have all the facts. It is not just the teachers causing this rift, the board not willing to negotiate at all just because they are on strike is not the answer. Both sides need to be willing to meet EVERY DAY until a mutually agreeable contract is made.
As for the money, in society, highly educated people usually get higher paying jobs- someone with a doctorate makes into the 6 figures for salary alone. A teacher who is also highly educated, does not get the amount of money that the education usually dictates.
My thought, and this is only my thought, is that many of the people that are complaining that they are greedy, are doing so because they are not making as much money as the teachers- but my question is, do you also have the education level that they do- did you go to college, and continue on for your master's or more?

As for the negotiations for the NFT- please keep in perspective, that although you do have the higher education, and the right to ask for more money- many of the people whose children you teach, do not have that same level of education, and cannot afford to pay much more in taxes. Until these times are over, you need to be willing to concede a bit more than you are!

About the supposedly" plummeting" Neshaminy PSSA scores-I've heard the numbers tossed out there but I'm not where this information comes from. Unless I'm not looking in the right spot on the PDE site, they don't have rankings according to the scores. How do you compare the scores of a school district with 9,000 students to one with 400 students? How do you compare a district like Neshaminy, whose socio-economic makeup is so broad (from poverty to very wealthy), to a district in which the population is mostly on the same level? I'm just not willing to believe everything the school board tells me or what I read in the paper. I keep hearing that Neshaminy teachers are the highest paid in the county and then find out there are four other districts that pay their teachers more.

John Evans, Are you kidding me with your comment. A fair offer from the NFT is a fixed 8 %..lol Federal workers pay 30 % on average. Most of us private sector workers pay 40 to 100 % . The teachers should be paying the same as federal workers !

You might be okay with that offer, But I think most of us are not.

Oh lets not forget their $ 27,500 bonus b/c they retire. And this only after 10 years. The NFT comes to the board and says okay we will lower that to $ 25,000...lol Yea the NFT is really try to work things out....how bout big fat $ 0 when you retire from your PUBLIC sector job.

The good days are gone, The tax payers have finally woke up and said enough !

it would seem that the offer to come to the table at the percentage rate offered toward medical when considereding the total benefits package, is laughable and far out of touch with what most people in the private sector pay, also, this is a most recent development in the grand scheme of things and has not been part of the unions offering for the last 4 years.

There are alot of teachers that don't want to walk the line and think this is bull sh....t the teachers are the highest paid and have full benifits .That is a lot more than teachers in the city get they would love to have what you got .My daughter was very upset when here english teacher told here that the senior class of 2012 was the dumbest she seen in years way to talk to students that way .My daughter wanted to go speak at meeting but thought if she did the teachers would have it out for her.Theses teachers need to get with the times and wake up and see how good they have it and stop being GREEDY SELFISH TEACHERS.

TAXPAYERS MUST UNITE. Our taxes will continue to increase if we do not hold to the school districts requests. Teachers can you not pay 15 cents on the dollar toward your health care, while we pay 85 cents. Does this seem unrealistic??? The majority of people have to adjust to these economic times, whether we are highly educated or not. .15 out of 1.00 come on now.

Who will suffer??? The students. Programs are predicted to be cut, repairs or upgrades to building will be on hold. Then what will we do? Inevitably, sacrifices need to be made.

Louise Boyd doesn't look like she's "enduring" by doing without food at least! So she can't be faring that poorly. I am hoping that the school board digs in their heels but GOOD as they should. How can these "highly educated and highly trained professionals" sleep at night? I ask you? The funny part about it is, these teachers despise the parents of the very children they teach- they ridicule them and regard them as cockroaches ... necessary evils that they have to deal with... Teaching is just a job to these people. It's a paycheck. That's all. So now they want more money squeezed out of the parents who are in dire straits financially and who already pay too much. Fire 'em all! I mean it. Fire 'em all and hire new!

Please check out the video and comment. The NFT President responds: Community Members Against Neshaminy Strike 'Deplorable' http://levittown.patch.com/articles/video-nft-president-discusses-the-strike-negotiations-and-community-support#youtube_video-8873838 What are your thoughts?

Ms. Boyd states that she has been working under terrible, deplorable conditions over the last 3 1/2 years. She is the voice of the teachers, is this how the teachers feel?
I don't know of anyone who would put out a good job performance under these "so-called" conditions. Teach elsewhere. I am sure many other teachers would be delighted to work in the Neshaminy School District. No wonder our PSAA rank has fallen from 153rd to 245th in our state. If that lack of production had been in the private sector, would a raise be warranted? No but firing would. Who suffers, the children.

according to trishk. professional people make more money. granted, they do. She states doctorate degree professionals make in the 6 figures. Yes, most do. They work 365 days a year. Equate that with the teachers who chose their profession making 78k for 180 days. If they did work 365 days a year 78 x 2 = 158,000 (6 figures), not with a doctorate degree, 4.5 years of college education.
then you have mickipal, who states the plummeting PSAA are due to varied degrees of peoples economic status in the district. Mickipal, the "so called poor to wealthy" district has basically the same ratios as years past. So why the drop??? It seems like you think because some are poor and others wealthy this affects the PSAA. Is it not the teachers who are supposed to motivate the children? Is it not the teachers who should see if students are grasping what was taught? If a child is motivated they will produce. Last years back to school parent teachers meeting was cancelled because the teachers refused to show up. So who is affected?? Once again, the children.
How many more of us can afford paying more school taxes? For that matter, paying any more for anything. These are ruff economic times, everyone needs to take that into consideration. I am sure everyone has had to cut back. Bite the bullet teachers, just like all of us.

I also cannot. Understand how these teachers.. only get one drug test when hired. I have a friend who is interconnected with many local districts- she said" (you wont belive the amount of teachers that smoke pot!)" That a shock! They need to have monthly drug tests! I work hard to pay their salary- i think this need to be adressed. Asap!

Not being content, they have a offer to keep same pay and get the increase over the next 3 yrs to make up the small amount 16% towards health care. Always want more! No one feels sorry for these teachers aka who makes 90,000 plus! Work 7 to 3 ..off on weekends off on snow days off on holidays and all summer off! Maybe if we gave monthly drug test they realize what there asking for will never ever happen! Come one neshaminy families! Just say no! Teachers are great but like and other job out there replaceable! We get a new presedient every 4 yrs why not new teachers!

I say we parents and taxpayers of Neshaminy picket to REMOVE these striking teachers immediately!

i agree! now there saying it could be as long as feb2! who the one acting like kids! ps
sorry kids you have to see your teachers act so childish!

no board! amen to that!

Matty, you either #1 - are a teacher #2 dont pay taxes in Neshaminy! Life is never fair- nothing ever equal! you seem like the type of person who takes people to court! There are 2 types aof people in the world- people who give and people who take! You and teachers are the kind who take!

Wrong on all accounts. Not a teacher. I do pay taxes in Neshaminy. Life is always fair. Never took someone to court. I believe in people fighting for what they think is fair. You think the school board is being fair and I think the teachers are being fair.

we pay their salary, we who live in neshaminy, we rather fire them all and hire all new teachers! if they dont like go teach at another district

I lOVE that the BOARD looks at them staning out in the cold.... as hogwash! Matt i know 90% of taxpayers r aganist teachers so if u want to add to thier 600 and some go right ahead ! we will win!

In other words "we will hold your kids hostage until you give into our extortion demands to continue riding the taxpayer gravy train". I admire and respect the board for staying strong against these predators!!

Preach Anna Preach!

its not like were saying we are not giving you school nurses you 90k plus... just your pay stays same and pay a little 16% towards health care! i mean with obama care every one has to pay now! Come on teachers....get with the program! With the new contractthey need to get monthy drug tests also! it might of stopped this whole thing!

Take a look at these Chester teachers today. So dedicated they are willing to work without a paycheck. Now that's extreme! Nesh "educators" should be ashamed

In this economy everyone of us needs to cut back. I know many of us have not gotten a pay increase in 5 years. We are just glad we have our jobs. Look at the unemployment rate. We don't want our taxes to increase. It is difficult to pay the taxes that we already incur. Medical benefits, I don't know of anyone who does not contribute to their benefits. 15% is not asking for much. We don't want our school programs cut in years to come. We will still pay 85%. Majority of teachers, I believe, will go along with this. Unions were good during their inception decades ago, but now, greed has seemed to prevail.

Yea i drove by everitt and sandburg today- no teachers! lmao it must of been too cold out! a little wind put out there fire! i see they want to SUSPEND the strike! it must be cause there getting cold! lol They are not getting what they want! They dont have what it takes to another week or 2! stay out there til feb and freeze!

Mr.Webb, you are our voice. Stick to the offer you have made. We will stand behind you. WE DO NOT WANT PROGRAMS CUT or TAXES RAISED.

This forum would be on blast if people knew about it. Spreed the word about the patch.

Spread the word, you will see the enormous amount of people who favor the school districts offer (which is extremely, fair). According to many I have spoken to, a higher percentage should be paid by the teacher (above 15%), no retroactive pay raise, and a smaller pension lump sum (lower than $25k).

Could you imagine being Ms. Boyd's student? What horrible, deplorable conditions she has been in for the last few years? Unhappy employees make to be unhappy workers.
Again who suffers? The children. Get rid of her and all of the unhappy teachers she represents. It is a shame the unions are now cult-like. The teachers need to stand behind her or they will be shunned. Sad.... The ones that I have spoken to say many of their associates feel for the taxpayer and agree they can live with their current salary and pay toward their health care. But if they don't agree with Ms. Boyd and her cheering section, they would be admonished in one way or another.

Well...hmmm lets see....okay parents and taxpayers...there is a way to reverse this situation.....let me point out ..in fairness I am a Union member(not teachers)...but, here goes...Ms. Boyd....wow...really...you are the representative?? Reallly??...We all saw the negotiating tactic of trying to negotiate this through the media...very stupid...It was even more telling ...blatantly...that you do not have the skills to be a Union negotiator...not even remotely...Ms. Boyd should be replaced by her dues paying members at their earliest convenience....Thats their own in house issue...Parents...The pressure needs to be directed hard, fast and furious, at he superintendent of our district....Dr. Muenker has more power and carte blanche then he would like you to believe. The precedent has been set in Rhode Island, and had the effect necessary to ensure this never happens again.

This would have been a landmark moment to weed out the chaff, and to let the Union know exactly who holds the cards.....You don't have to "fire" the teachers...but there is a small loophole that allows you to have them reapply for their jobs...No one wants to exercise this...and the fact that Pennsylvania is a "right to work" state...which means that no Union has any mandate or jurisdictional absolutes...it has been "traditionally" accepted that the NFT represents teachers in the Neshaminy school District....but, it is not mandatory to be a member of said union to teach our children in this district.

It is a matter of letigious fear...our school board and all the expensive lawyers... a waste of time....you need someon to be bold...and implement what is already available....sure the NFT will sue....it would be dealt a serious blow...but, I guarentee they would lose that battle in the Pa Supreme Court with the laws written as they are.

#2 We as concerned parents need to start demanding that we stop taking Federal Money to "supplement" the budget....wake up!!!! Federal money means federal mandate, and control.....which coincidentally empowers the teachers unions further..

#3 The contract must absolutely remove the co equal language of teacher input. I would love the teachers to have input into cirriculum...and on the surface its such a happy and cheery notion....the reality is that it is another tool the NFT can use further to eliminate performance and evaluation structures which further protect the Union and not the student.

the only way any of of this can happen...is a collective agreement (sound familiar)..of all parents who are concerned....to apply inordinate amount of pressure at three key elements.......Ms. Boyds office.....to inundate her mail, their website, their meetings (outside), and anywhere they do business.

The School Board with inundation of letters of support.

Dr. Muenkers office and meetings.....questions, questions, questions.

PS...Ms. Boyd is considered a public figure...so comments and criticism in public are not viewd as harassment....use your best judgement.

PSS...Always use facts, never use profanity, and never raise your voice...just reinforce your arguemnet....and if you really want to be a superstar.....every time they use the word union, or union rights...or the teachers unions right to work...just note the time and date...then there is this cool place called the NLRB....national labor relations board....just file your grievance....when enough hit...the broad order will go out....to and against the NFT....wait till you see what that does to their ability to pickett...it is a stranglehold on their tactics and I highly doubt Ms. Boyd would be able to adapt and comprehend what this means

Ms. Boyd is not an intellect at all. When she has spoken on camera or the radio you can hear how easily she gets flustered. She can not express herself on an intellectual level. Her ineptness shines through. Empty barrels make the most noise. Teachers accept what the school district has offered. Don't cower because of the tactics of a few overbearing voices that you have elected. It still amazes me how Ms. Boyd has retained her position after breaking the law with a DUI. Thankfully, no one was hurt by her foolish decision. She has called the taxpayers, low lives, miserable people, how she has worked under such horrible, deplorable conditions. Go get another job if you could be hired with a felony. only in Neshaminy Schools a felon can still work.

I know PLENTY of parents who are rallying around the teachers....and neither me or my wife are teachers, so before anyone jumps to any conclusions, let me squash that argument. Why didn't the Patch interview any one of the NUMEROUS parents who were dropping stuff off to the teachers the past 2 weeks? The Board made a public statement that if the teachers ended the strike, they would be in a room THAT NIGHT negotiating. Well....the teachers are back, why haven't they pushed up the PREVIOUSLY scheduled negotiation session. Let's face it, the District is saving money with the teachers working status quo, so they they have NO interest in negotiating!!!! I am tired of the games that the board is playing!!!!

The board does not want to negotiate. It is a take it or leave it deal. And this is a prime example of why Neshaminy SD can not move forward and excel. We can also look at the lack of a new high school. This is the type of district we are in.

Lack of negotiations inhibit neshaminy sd to move foreward and excel???? What is that supposed to mean? Money is the only way we move foreward and excel. How about the teachers oath? We have not excelled, ergo, money the root of evil for the teachers. Not thier oath.

How much do u make matt

Why does that matter?

Well matt? What is your occupation? A real man would just answer...

A real man would answer. Are you really joking?

What is your job?

A man of god would answer the question.. figures your not one!

You seem to have all the answers. No need to listen to me.

If u are who i think ... alot of people are praying for you salvation!

Thank them for me and I will pray for them.

remember - Just because your a pastor doesnt mean your saved! Lol

That is true and I am not the judge either.

So what is your job?

Theses teacher are just as bad as a divorced pastor! Both are considerd outkast in our community!

Well consider me someone who stands up for the outcasts of the community.

When you get to be age you stay away from koolaid drinkers- Kid!

Like i said kid... your not a. Man yet! go get a job... that requires ur attetion for a full 40 hr dont be a mooch!

Sounds like your a teacher and divorced...be ashamed of yourself ! If your this much of a poser.! Via a comment- u must be a great actor in real life....That explains. Narcissim! We love our neshaminy school board!

I agree taxpayer- matt seems like he reeeks of narcissism! Probaly why he on here! No one like hog wash! Let not lose focus... hell with those teachers! my daughter said they seem lazy at wrk now!

Now,now lets not mix religion and politics. Theses teachers are an embarassent to our community and familys in the district- im part of a townwatch in the community and as a christian mother stay away from small local churchs that only open on sunday an a night a week there only after money- interview the pastor make sure he is accountable to a group and. Has his house in order....if he is divorced. RUN! Get invovled in an established church not a zoo! We love our school board!

As a local pastor -Jesus is the answer to all this muck- as for most local pastors - we dont pay taxes, most small churchs provide housing as well pay the taxes and yes most local churchs are poor preachers! Im not in it for money as for the ones divorced- i aplogized to our community for such heresy ! they are held accountable to god and if they were walking with jesus would step down, as they fall short of having what it takes to be a shepard. Its a disgrace to jesus,if they do there own will , it a matter of time before they are dried out and wash up for god- more often they are the one who do it for money!

Im standing tall with pastor larry! Keep the faith nhs community! We will prevail!

I live next door to a teacher and my backs up to a dead church- who the minister is divorced and is going to remarry to try to hide his divorce- it too late it. Been a dead church for over 20 yrs now! And my teacher neighbor... lets say its all about the money! So say these public figures are far from a role model to the children in our commuinty and district!

Teacher in neshaminy do make a good wage. 78k a year, medical, life insurance, disability insurance, dental insurance, 10 year tenured, 27k retirement check. wow... Off on weekends, holidays, when it snows a lot, this is all great. Anyway, there should be no complaints when the contract is up and new terms need to be addressed. Our school district has a deficit. We have already had school programs cut. The teachers chose this profession. They know what they applied for when interviewed. We all are in bad economic times. WE AS TAXPAYERS DO NOT WANT OUR TAXES INCREASED./nor anymore programs cut. READ THE LETTER TODAY SUBMITTED BY A TEACHER AT NESHAMINY HIGH SCHOOL. WE need to support teachers like him, not the Union President, Ms. Boyd and her cohorts. Our school has been declining in educational status. If there are a few bad apples, get rid of them before they poison the whole bunch. I believe the majority of teachers would pay 15% and agree to the districts requests. FOR THE GOOD OF THE STUDENTS and taxpayers.