Education:

Turnover of teachers slows with the economy

Fewer sell homes and leave, or can afford to retire, so they stay

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Leaner staffing to raise classroom sizes (6-10-2009)
Slowing growth leads to fewer new teachers (8-12-2008)
Welcome to Vegas, welcome to teaching (8-16-2007)
New teachers welcomed; 300 vacancies remain (8-9-2005)
Teacher net: Program uses 'misery index' to lure potential educators to Clark County (9-18-2003)
New teacher training starts (8-26-2003)
Teacher exodus taking toll on schools, community (6-7-2003)

Archive of Sun education stories

Clark County School District

In 2006 school officials welcomed the district’s new teachers in luncheons at Cox Pavilion that stretched over three days.

Last year two days were enough to accommodate the 995 new educators.

This time around, it’s likely one day will provide enough seats for all new hires, said Ruben Murillo, president of the Clark County Education Association, which co-sponsors the luncheons with the district.

The district’s human resources department is estimating that only 300 new teachers will be needed for the 2009-10 academic year, although that figure will ultimately depend on the latest enrollment projections and how many educators quit over the summer.

As of late last month, 764 teachers had quit, down from 1,577 at the same point last year.

“Given the economic conditions and the uncertainty that comes with that, I’m not surprised,” Murillo said of the more than 50 percent decline in teacher turnover. “People aren’t retiring because they’re not sure they can afford to.”

With the recession there are fewer job openings in other parts of the country for those looking to leave Clark County. And for those who find work, the Las Vegas Valley’s dismal real estate market has made it difficult to sell homes here in order to relocate.

Historically, 70 percent of Clark County’s teachers have come from out of state and 50 percent of them leave within five years.

Those figures have long frustrated the district because of the recruiting and training resources they represent. But with districts in other states downsizing, fewer teachers are going to be able to “come here for a few years, get their feet wet and go back home,” Murillo said.

Last year the district’s enrollment grew by less than 1 percent — the smallest increase in 25 years. Projections for this fall are in the same range and include the possibility the district will see no growth in enrollment.

In addition to providing a respite from the fevered growth of recent years, the economy might make Clark County an appealing option for out-of-state teachers and slow the heavy teacher turnover.

Murillo said experienced math, science and special education teachers who have been laid off in places such as California and Arizona might now consider Clark County, where the district managed to protect teacher pay and benefits despite a legislative session that brought massive budget cuts.

There will be an advantage for this year’s crop of new teachers in being part of a smaller class of rookies, said Bob McCord, associate professor of educational leadership at UNLV’s College of Education.

“If I’m in the classroom a couple of weeks and I need help, I would guess I would have more access to people able to respond to my needs,” McCord said, a retired district administrator. “I’m going to get a little more mentoring and a little more of that one-on-one interaction that helps me get off on the right foot.”

Discussion: 10 comments so far…

By ZeddyBear

7/14/09 at 8:45 a.m.

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July 15 is the last day for current CCEA members to resign from CCEA.
By El_Lobo

7/14/09 at 10:18 a.m.

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Considering the fact that the "teacher's union" is such a worthless organization, (not really a union.....) I would think teachers belonging to CCEA should be lined up in droves waiting to resign. Any CCEA member who resigns gives himself/herself a $500.oo raise in yearly take home pay......

Considering the economic situation that teachers find themselves in, a $500.00 raise sounds pretty good.
By really

7/14/09 at 11:36 a.m.

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I hope I am one of the 200 hired!
By Teeshur1

7/15/09 at 7:07 a.m.

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July 15, 2009
I'm in California. Is your teacher's Union really "worthless?" I'm looking for a position and considering Las Vegas.
By roaringwoman1

7/15/09 at 9:12 a.m.

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If you want a really worthless union, come to Chicago. The Chicago Teachers' Union president, Marilyn Stewart, is one of the most loathed individuals in the district. She and her cronies in the CTU administration have been paying themselves handsomely, raiding our union piggy bank, allowing CPS to close schools without a fight, and helping CPS garner more charter schools. In addition, with the new year ahead, we teachers fully expect CPS to back out of our 4% increase because of budgetary concerns. We fully believe that the CTU will side with the Board. So, if you want a union that's really worthless, come on up to Chicago; I, myself, was thinking of returning to Las Vegas!
By kateomoore

7/16/09 at 6:03 a.m.

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I have never taught in Clark County, but I have taught five years in Arizona, four years in Texas, two years in Oklahoma, five years in Iowa, and more than twice the total of those years in Kansas. Teaching defines me, and I return to the classroom again this fall.

I have been a member of the state affiliate of NEA in each of the eleven school districts for which I have been employed, and I would no more drop membership than I would stick pins in my eyes.

My observation is that the weaker the membership in the organization, the more teachers are treated as somehow property rather than as professionals. We can argue about how important salary and benefits are, and how they should be obtained, but the bottom line is that when teachers are treated poorly, kids suffer from more sub-standard classroom conditions. Disrespect me, disrespect the students appears to be the formula, and, good or bad, the teacher organizations help improve on that.

I also observe that young teachers coming into the profession take for granted many of the rights the associations have won for us; if they now drop out, in a few years, many of those rights will be abrogated. In addition, trust me, the one time I needed association representation to protect me in an unfair employment situation, that NEA rep earned every dollar I had ever, or will ever, pay in dues.

If you don't like the way your association works, work to change it, but don't just take your marbles and go home. If you do, everyone suffers.

Kate Moore
Manhattan, Kansas
By ZeddyBear

7/16/09 at 1:37 p.m.

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" ..... weaker the membership in the organization, the more teachers are treated as somehow property rather than as professionals. "

Kate,

You are now in Clark County. You will now see CCEA in bed with CCSD. And who suffers for it? The rank and file teachers. You will see first-hand how teachers are mistreated in this school district, and you will see how the CCEA upper-echelon is rewarded for its collective silence. ---- BTW - You're not in Kansas anymore....... Enjoy your stay; I predict you will be here for 2-3 years.
By LVmusicteacher

7/19/09 at 12:37 p.m.

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I am disturbed by some of the previous comments. This past year, CCEA held an integral part in preserving salary and benefits for the teachers of Clark County. If you believe that any of us would be receiving our step increases, pay line shifts, and not have to shoulder additional contributions to our benefits, (this in a year when the governor sought 4%, 6% or 18% cuts of our funding depending on the date) without an active and effective teachers association, you should get out of the heat until you are able to think clearly again.

I can't help but wonder out loud who would benefit from postings that encourage members to drop. What would the agenda of someone who wishes to weaken the membership look like? It seems to me that there is another story behind these comments. I can't imagine who stands to benefit from a weaker CCEA.
By ZeddyBear

7/19/09 at 2:28 p.m.

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To LV Music Teacher -- CCEA did NOT win that battle to preserve salary increases and step raises. That was won by the Administrators' Association telling Ruffles and the school board they would not work a day a month for free. CCSD did not want to fight this UNION. So CCEA rode the coattails of administrators. Perhaps you should step into the shade and cool off before you start defending CCEA and its leadership (now that's a misnomer....)
By sheilacatherine

7/19/09 at 9:13 p.m.

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Dear Really, KateO and Teeshur,
Don't let all this negativity impede your decision to come and teach within the CCSD. I have been here 26 years, have always been treated fairly and have made a good living wage despite what you are going to hear...AND the best part is...that after 26 years teaching all grade levels from high school to elementary school, general education and special education, I still LOVE it! The kids are FABULOUS and unlike many other districts across the United States, our facilities have been upgraded, supplies are available, and we have an alloted teacher prep time...so go ahead and apply and we hope to see you all this Fall!