[LisaJ]

I have a friend that is also looking to teach at the Charter School. She has asked if I know what the salarry range is? Told her I don't know however, I would check with the knowledgeable people of TV. Does anybody know how much the Charter School pays?

[Jane52]

The main requirement for attending the charter school--that a parent is employed in TV and NOT their geographic address--is fantastic. It is motivating for the parent to get a job here and keep it, and it is motivating for the student to see their parents strive to meet the requirement of employment and earning a better quality learning environment for their kids.

It is a great concept all around for a school teaching and modeling productivity and work ethic.

http://www.thevillagescharterschool....enrollment.asp

[sandybill2]

The Charter School is apparently expanding---per construction updates in Saturday's paper---The Villages Early Childhood Center-at Old School road and County Road 466--Site development started on this 4.5 acre, golf cart accessible addition to the Villages Charter Schools. This education center will serve children ages 3 and 4 in a single story concrete building. When completed, the facility will contain 12 classrooms with the capacity to serve up to 256 students.

[ijusluvit]

My realtor came to work for TV specifically so her kids could go to the charter schools. She says she would wash toilets to keep her kids enrolled till graduation.

[jbdlfan]

As a teacher,not at the Charter school, and as a parent, I can provide a little different perspective to this discussion. First, absolutely true about the facilities. They are very nice and in most cases, well taken care of. I would also agree that there are a plethora of extra-curricular activities (too many in my opinion for a school this size).
But, you knew it was coming, it is not all sunshine and lollipops. They have drugs, discipline issues, and bullying just like you find in any school. I have personally witnessed on several occassions unbelievable disrespect given to teachers and coaches as well as to the facilities. To say that the turnover of teachers is due to poor production on the teachers part is simply preposterous. I work with many of these people and they left because of the administration's LACK of willingness to handle certain situations. They have lost at least a dozen teachers in the last three years that they have not been able to replace. They have many fine and hardworking educators in the school system, but they have lost some of the best in the area in the middle and high school as of late.
And before anybody wants to jump on me for being negative or that I have an axe to bear, save it. My kid is one of the top students at that school. I have never been discharged from there or not hired or snubbed or whatever other excuse some will lay on me. I just see it for what it is, a business.
As far as pay is concerned, below the prevailing rate but not by much(but that is one of the lowest in the country).

[Challenger]

What do you mean by "it is a business" Are you inferring that someone is unduly profiting from the operation? If so who?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by jbdlfan

As a teacher,not at the Charter school, and as a parent, I can provide a little different perspective to this discussion. First, absolutely true about the facilities. They are very nice and in most cases, well taken care of. I would also agree that there are a plethora of extra-curricular activities (too many in my opinion for a school this size).
But, you knew it was coming, it is not all sunshine and lollipops. They have drugs, discipline issues, and bullying just like you find in any school. I have personally witnessed on several occassions unbelievable disrespect given to teachers and coaches as well as to the facilities. To say that the turnover of teachers is due to poor production on the teachers part is simply preposterous. I work with many of these people and they left because of the administration's LACK of willingness to handle certain situations. They have lost at least a dozen teachers in the last three years that they have not been able to replace. They have many fine and hardworking educators in the school system, but they have lost some of the best in the area in the middle and high school as of late.
And before anybody wants to jump on me for being negative or that I have an axe to bear, save it. My kid is one of the top students at that school. I have never been discharged from there or not hired or snubbed or whatever other excuse some will lay on me. I just see it for what it is, a business.
As far as pay is concerned, below the prevailing rate but not by much(but that is one of the lowest in the country).

Your KID is a top student? Is there something wrong with running a school like a business? Can you tell us which teachers have left? You think that their reason for leaving was that the administrations poor handling of things? What things? Children talking back? Not towels in the teacher rest room? Days off, personal days? Having to do stuff with the kids after school? Can you tell us what situations those were? Did someone on this thread say that there was turnover of teachers? Did they further say that it was due to "poor production"? I missed that post.

They have lost at least a dozen teachers in the last three years and have been unable to replace them? Was that due to not being able to find someone for the job in this economy, or was that due to a cut back of finances for their salaries?

The pay is below the prevailing rate and they still keep good teachers?

I know I have asked a lot of questions and I will go back and reread this thread because I may have missed some points.

I did go back and I did reread this thread and there was nowhere that I could see that anyone posted anything about teachers turnover or anything about poor production.

I am old and dim and sometimes I just don't capture the meat of an issue.

[Larry Wilson]

Good question started this thread. Most gave good answers with what they know. I will stick in what I know as I have lived here a long time and have spent many hours at the school supporting sports, judging the science fair and helping with coaching. I have talked to teachers who thought it was hell on earth and left of their own choosing. I know some who went to neighboring school districts like Wildwood and Leesburg. Others love teaching here.
I totally agree that grandparents and parents work hard to have their children go to the charter school. But if you are coming here to teach, just know the administration doesn't have a great reputation for backing its teachers. There is a really a big investment in a public relations. If you do get a job here, definitely get people like me and other villagers to help you as they expect a lot from their teachers. Good luck.

[LisaJ]

Larry, Thank you for your candid response and also for helping the teachers. I will pass your information on as well as the other information.

[whartonjelly]

An acquaintance of mine done took her kids outa school cause " I'M gonna learn' em at home !"

[Jane52]

What is wrong with "running the school like a business".....a business like those in the private sector who must be fiscally responsible by not spending and borrowing more money than it really has coming in??

NOT "running the school like a business"--in terms of financing--is a big part of the problem public education has today. Legislators, administrators and non-tax-paying parents too often give the finger to taxpayers who foot the bills and take the hit to their own kids' college savings, to pay for the increased school taxes, levies, etc.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Larry Wilson

Good question started this thread. Most gave good answers with what they know. I will stick in what I know as I have lived here a long time and have spent many hours at the school supporting sports, judging the science fair and helping with coaching. I have talked to teachers who thought it was hell on earth and left of their own choosing. I know some who went to neighboring school districts like Wildwood and Leesburg. Others love teaching here.
I totally agree that grandparents and parents work hard to have their children go to the charter school. But if you are coming here to teach, just know the administration doesn't have a great reputation for backing its teachers. There is a really a big investment in a public relations. If you do get a job here, definitely get people like me and other villagers to help you as they expect a lot from their teachers. Good luck.

Larry. You sound like a wonderful person and your volunteer hours at the school are bound to make it a better place and you are a very good example. I am always interested in education systems, once a teacher, always...etc. But HOW do they not back their teachers? (The administration) I am not trying to start a fight.

And HOW could we help...?

[paulandjean]

What do you mean,"its a business" . As a former teacher,Charter schools are a business. They are there to make a profit.Most school struggle with money matters, charter schools do not seem to have the same problems.

[Challenger]

I don't believe that the school is a" for profit", but rather a 501 c3. Please correct if my impression is erroneous.

[Jane52]

....."The VCS are identified as "Charter Schools in the Workplace" and operated as a Florida not-for-profit corporation. Established through Florida law, charter schools in the workplace are public charter schools with the ability to target a specific student population. Charter schools are public schools of choice...."

http://www.thevillagescharterschool....eWorkplace.asp