The average teacher salary in the Mona Shores Public Schools was $58,544 in 2009, and employees are not required to contribute anything to health insurance policies that cost the district some $12,800 annually. These are among the highlights in the current collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the district and the local arm of the Michigan Education Association union.
About 67 percent of the district's $34 million operating budget goes toward paying employees covered by this contract, which covers teachers and a few other employee groups. Mona Shores enrolls about 2,800 students and employs approximately 170 teachers.
The base salary for most Mona Shores teachers is between $49,184 and $71,464. How much an individual actually gets is determined by a single salary schedule that grants automatic pay raises based solely on years on the job plus additional pedagogy credentials. Teachers are granted "tenure" after four years on the job, and once tenured, are evaluated once every three years, but neither these evaluations nor the performance of their students affect how much they are paid.
Mona Shores teachers receive "step" increases for their first 12 years in the district. These increases range from two to nine percent, and are in addition to the two percent "across-the-board" annual salary increase. District teachers also get annual longevity payments that add $757 (15 to 19 years), $1,515 (20 to 24 years) or $2,272 (25 or more years).
School employees receive a lifetime pension when they retire, and also expect to get lifetime post-retirement health benefits. Based on the state-run retirement system's formula, the starting pension for a Mona Shores teacher with 30 years experience and an average base salary of $71,464 (the final "step" on the salary schedule) would be $32,159. This amount increases by 3 percent every year. An employee may begin collecting a pension upon reaching age 55, or younger if he or she has 30 years of employment in public schools.
In addition to their state-provided pension, teachers in Mona Shores get a severance package equivalent to $1,000 for each year in the district (with a maximum of $12,500). The district also provides an annual payment of $1,750 or $3,000 for retirees to use on their portion of their retiree health care premiums, and puts $250 per year in a 403(b) account for every teacher. They also get $500 for notifying the district of their retirement by a certain date.
The union contract includes extra bonus pay for additional duties and certifications. Teachers can get anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000 for taking on an "oversized" class, as defined by the contract. Athletic event coordinators get between $5,875 and $7,385 per year, and a teacher taking on guidance counselor duties nets another $2,652. Teacher "mentors" and those participating in the "professional recognition program" get between $378 and $758 per year.
Teachers can earn extra cash by coaching or participating in other extracurricular activities, such as band, drama, yearbook, intramurals, student clubs and many others. Aside the 80 different athletic-related positions (which pay between $1,136 and $7,385 annually), there are nearly 30 different extracurricular positions that pay between $1,137 and $6,060 each year.
All teachers are allotted 10 sick days per year, and can accumulate an unlimited amount of them. Upon retiring, they will get $15, $20 or $25 per unused sick day, depending on how many they've kept. The district allows for three personal days per year as well. Teachers also get paid leave time for jury duty, conferences and conventions, and professional visitation days. Upon returning from leave, they are guaranteed the same or equitable teaching position.
Finally, the union contract also covers working hours and conditions. It defines the "work year" as 183 days, of which a maximum of 180 are student instruction days. Each day measures about seven and one-half hours, which works out to a total work year of 1,350 hours. The national average for all occupations is 1,792. Teachers may not be required to attend more than two after-school meetings (such as parent-teacher conferences), and the district must pay $30 an hour for additional meetings beyond the school day.
The following is a detailed analysis of the current Mona Shores Public Schools union contract that covers teachers as well as a few other employee groups.
Salary Schedule
- Base salaries are determined strictly by "steps," which use a matrix of years experience and graduate credit hours and degrees.
- There of 13 "steps" on the schedule, meaning teachers get automatic two to nine percent pay raises for their first 12 years in the district.
- The entire salary schedule increases by 2 percent each year.
- 73 percent of teachers have graduate degrees and 73 percent have more than five years experience, meaning the vast majority of teachers' base salary is between $49,184 and $71,464.
- The Michigan Department of Education reported the average teacher salary in Mona Shores in 2008-09 was $58,455.
-
Longevity pay:
- 15-19 years: $757
- 20-24 years: $1,515
- 25+ years: $2,272
Fringe Benefits
- The district's current health insurance plan for teachers cost between $12,804 and $15,238 per teacher in 2009.
- Teachers are not required to contribute to the cost of the premium, unless they choose the higher priced plan (about $200 per month).
- The average family premium for a health plan in Michigan cost $13,160 in 2009, with employees contributing 21 percent ($2,800) of those costs.
- Each teacher who does not enroll in a medical insurance plan gets $192 per month.
- The district reimburses up to $35,000 per year for prescription drug costs.
- The district also provides at no cost to teachers dental, vision, life ($40,000) and long-term disability insurance.
Pension and Retirement Benefits
- Every teacher participates in the state-run Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System, a defined-benefit lifetime pension system
- Pension calculation: highest 3-year average compensation X 1.5 percent X years of service
- After 55, subsidized medical, dental and vision insurance for life (employees never contribute more than 18 percent of premiums)
- Annual starting pension based on 30 years experience in Mona Shores with base salary of $71,464 (final M.A. step): $32,159 (this amount increases by 3 percent every year)
- Reimbursement for unused sick days at retirement:
- $15 each for 1-50 days
- $20 each for 51-99 days
- $25 each for 100+ days
- Retirement Bonus: $1,000 per year of service (max of $12,500)
- Notification of retirement 60 days in advance: $500
- Annual supplemental insurance payments: $1,750-$3,000
- Annual contribution of $250 into 403(b) account
Bonus Pay for Additional Duties or Certification
- Any teacher receiving longevity pay can earn another $757 by participating in a "professional recognition program."
- Event Coordinator: $5,870-$7,385
- Department Chair: $1,515-$3,408
- Guidance Director: $2,652
- Teaching oversized class (depends on number of students over limits and average teacher salary): $2,000-$5,000 per year
- Preparation time interrupted: $22.50 per unit lost
- Supervision of recess over 75 periods: $8.50 per period
- Supervision of study hall: $22.50 per period
- Elementary parent-teacher conferences after school hours in the second semester: $30 per hour
- Attending more than four Individualized Education Plan meetings after school hours: $21 per meeting
- The district will reimburse the renewal fee for their state of Michigan licensing and all other state-required certifications.
- Summer employment:
- Instructional planning: $30/hour
- Curriculum projects: $120/day
- Teacher Mentoring:
- First year teacher: $758
- Second year teacher: $569
- Third year teacher: $ 378
- Mentor Training (one time): $758
- Subbing for a regular class: $22.50
Work Schedule/Environment
-
Contractual year: 183 days
- Student instruction days: 180 Days
-
Work day:
- Elementary and middle school: 7 hours, 35 minutes
- High School: 7 hours, 45 minutes
- Total work year: 1,350 hours
- National average for all occupations: 1,792 hours
- Maximum class size: 25-30, depending on grade level and type of class
- No more than 2 evening parent-teacher meetings per year
-
Duty-free lunch:
- Elementary: 35 minutes
- Secondary: 30 minutes
-
Maximum teaching loads:
- Elementary: 5 and one-half hours
- Middle school: 5 periods per day
- High school: 5 periods per day
- Teaching clerks and aids cannot act as substitute teachers
Leave Time/Sick Days
- Personal leave: 3 days.
- Union gets 20 paid teacher absences for its activities.
- Sick leave allowance: 10
days
- Unlimited accumulation
- Paid leave:
- Jury duty
- Subpoenaed as witness
- School visitations, conference or conventions
- "Selective service physical examination"
- National Guard or Military Reserves (30 days)
- Bereavement:
- 5 days, immediate family
- 3 days, relative
- 1 day, non-relative
- Unpaid leave:
- Child Care (two years)
- Campaigning for and serving in MEA/NEA office
- Military leave
- Exchange teaching position
- Study in teacher's major field
- Study related to teaching certification
Extra Curricular Activities Compensation (based on years of experience)
|
Position |
Min |
Max |
|
|
High School Positions |
|||
|
Athletic: |
|||
|
Event Coordinator |
$5,870.00 |
$7,385.00 |
|
|
Baseball |
|||
|
Varsity Coach |
$4,545.00 |
$6,060.00 |
|
|
JV Coach |
$3,408.00 |
$4,165.00 |
|
|
Freshman Coach |
$3,220.00 |
$3,977.00 |
|
|
Basketball (Boys) |
|||
|
Varsity coach |
$5,870.00 |
$7,385.00 |
|
|
Varsity assistant |
$3,787.00 |
$4,545.00 |
|
|
JV Coach |
$4,165.00 |
$4,923.00 |
|
|
Freshman Coach |
$3,787.00 |
$4,545.00 |
|
|
Basketball (Girls) |
|||
|
Varsity coach |
$5,870.00 |
$7,385.00 |
|
|
Varsity assistant |
$3,787.00 |
$4,545.00 |
|
|
JV Coach |
$4,165.00 |
$4,923.00 |
|
|
Freshman Coach |
$3,787.00 |
$4,545.00 |
|
|
Cheerleading (Fall) |
|||
|
Varsity sideline |
$2,272.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
JV Sideline |
$1,515.00 |
$2,272.00 |
|
|
Freshman Sideline |
$1,136.00 |
$1,894.00 |
|
|
Cheerleading (Winter) |
|||
|
Varsity Sideline |
$2,272.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Freshman Sideline |
$1,136.00 |
$1,894.00 |
|
|
Varsity Competitive |
$2,272.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Ass't Varsity Comp. |
$1,515.00 |
$2,272.00 |
|
|
Cross Country Girls |
$2,462.00 |
$3,220.00 |
|
|
Cross Country Boys |
$2,462.00 |
$3,220.00 |
|
|
Football |
|||
|
Varsity Coach |
$5,870.00 |
$7,385.00 |
|
|
Ass't Varsity #1 |
$4,165.00 |
$4,923.00 |
|
|
Ass't Varsity # 2 |
$4,165.00 |
$4,923.00 |
|
|
Ass't Varsity # 3 |
$4,165.00 |
$4,923.00 |
|
|
JV Coach |
$4,165.00 |
$4,923.00 |
|
|
Ass't JV Coach |
$3,707.00 |
$4,545.00 |
|
|
Freshman Coach |
$3,707.00 |
$4,545.00 |
|
|
Ass't Freshman Coach |
$3,408.00 |
$4,165.00 |
|
|
Golf |
|||
|
Girls Varsity |
$2,462.00 |
$3,220.00 |
|
|
Girls JV |
$1,705.00 |
$2,462.00 |
|
|
Varsity Boys |
$2,462.00 |
$3,220.00 |
|
|
JV Boys |
$1,705.00 |
$3,462.00 |
|
|
Gymnastics |
|||
|
Coach |
$3,707.00 |
$5,302.00 |
|
|
Ass't coach |
$2,462.00 |
$3,220.00 |
|
|
Hockey |
|||
|
Varsity Coach |
$3,977.00 |
$5,492.00 |
|
|
Ass't Varsity Coach |
$2,652.00 |
$3,408.00 |
|
|
Pom Pom Advisor |
$1,515.00 |
$2,272.00 |
|
|
Soccer |
|||
|
Girls Varsity Coach |
$3,030.00 |
$4,545.00 |
|
|
Girls JV Coach |
$2,272.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Boys Varsity Coach |
$3,030.00 |
$4,545.00 |
|
|
Boys JV Coach |
$2,272.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Boys Freshman Coach |
$1,894.00 |
$2,652.00 |
|
|
Softball |
|||
|
Varsity Coach |
$4,545.00 |
$6,060.00 |
|
|
JV Coach |
$3,408.00 |
$4,165.00 |
|
|
Freshman Coach |
$3,220.00 |
$3,977.00 |
|
|
Tennis |
|||
|
Girls Varsity Coach |
$2,462.00 |
$3,220.00 |
|
|
Girls JV Coach |
$1,705.00 |
$2,462.00 |
|
|
Boys Varsity Coach |
$2,462.00 |
$3,220.00 |
|
|
Boys JV Coach |
$1,705.00 |
$2,462.00 |
|
|
Track |
|||
|
Girls Varsity Coach |
$3,408.00 |
$4,924.00 |
|
|
Girls Ass't Varsity |
$2,462.00 |
$3,220.00 |
|
|
Boys Varsity Coach |
$3,408.00 |
$4,924.00 |
|
|
Boys Ass't Varsity |
$2,462.00 |
$3,220.00 |
|
|
Volleyball |
|||
|
Varsity Coach |
$5,870.00 |
$7,385.00 |
|
|
JV Coach |
$4,165.00 |
$4,923.00 |
|
|
Freshman Coach |
$3,707.00 |
$4,545.00 |
|
|
Wrestling |
|||
|
Varsity Coach |
$5,870.00 |
$7,385.00 |
|
|
JV Coach |
$4,165.00 |
$4,923.00 |
|
|
Non-Athletic |
|||
|
Class Advisor 9-12 |
$1,137.00 |
$2,652.00 |
|
|
Drama Advisor |
$2,840.00 |
$2,840.00 |
|
|
Debate |
|||
|
Head advisor |
$5,680.00 |
$5,680.00 |
|
|
Ass't Advisor |
$2,272.00 |
$2,272.00 |
|
|
Forensics Advisor |
$2,272.00 |
$2,272.00 |
|
|
Guidance Director |
$2,652.00 |
$2,652.00 |
|
|
Honor Society Advisor |
$1,894.00 |
$1,894.00 |
|
|
Music |
|||
|
Senior Band Director |
$4,545.00 |
$6,060.00 |
|
|
Instrumental Ass't |
$3,030.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Middle School Director |
$3,030.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Ass't Director |
$758.00 |
$758.00 |
|
|
Middle/High Vocal |
|||
|
Senior high director |
$4,545.00 |
$6,060.00 |
|
|
Senior high Ass't |
$3,030.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Middle School Director |
$3,030.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
K-12 Strings Director |
$4,545.00 |
$6,060.00 |
|
|
Publications |
|||
|
Newspaper Advisor |
$3,707.00 |
$4,545.00 |
|
|
Yearbook Advisor |
$3,707.00 |
$4,545.00 |
|
|
Middle School Position |
|||
|
Athletic: |
|||
|
Basketball Girls |
|||
|
8th grade coach A |
$2,840.00 |
$3,598.00 |
|
|
8th grade coach B |
$2,840.00 |
$3,598.00 |
|
|
7th Grade coach A |
$2,840.00 |
$3,598.00 |
|
|
7th Grade coach B |
$2,840.00 |
$3,598.00 |
|
|
Basketball Boys |
|||
|
8th grade coach A |
$2,840.00 |
$3,598.00 |
|
|
8th grade coach B |
$2,840.00 |
$3,598.00 |
|
|
7th Grade coach A |
$2,840.00 |
$3,598.00 |
|
|
7th Grade coach B |
$2,840.00 |
$3,598.00 |
|
|
Cheerleading (Fall) |
|||
|
7th&8th Grade Coach |
$1,137.00 |
$1,515.00 |
|
|
Cheerleading (Winter) |
|||
|
7th&8th sideline Coach |
$1,137.00 |
$1,515.00 |
|
|
7th&8th competitive |
$1,137.00 |
$1,515.00 |
|
|
Football |
|||
|
8th grade Head Coach |
$3,030.00 |
$3,707.00 |
|
|
7th grade Head Coach |
$3,030.00 |
$3,707.00 |
|
|
8th grade Ass't Coach |
$2,651.00 |
$3,408.00 |
|
|
7th grade Ass't Coach |
$2,651.00 |
$3,408.00 |
|
|
Cross Country |
|||
|
Girls Coach |
$2,272.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Boys Coach |
$2,272.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Track |
|||
|
Girls Coach |
$2,651.00 |
$3,408.00 |
|
|
Girls Ass't Coach #1 |
$2,272.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Girls Ass't Coach #2 |
$2,272.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Boys Coach |
$2,651.00 |
$3,408.00 |
|
|
Boys Ass't Coach #1 |
$2,272.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Boys Ass't Coach #2 |
$2,272.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Wrestling |
|||
|
Head Coach |
$2,840.00 |
$3,598.00 |
|
|
Ass't Coach |
$2,462.00 |
$3,220.00 |
|
|
Non-Athletic: |
|||
|
Drama |
|||
|
Head Advisor |
$3,030.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Ass't Advisor |
$1,894.00 |
$1,894.00 |
|
|
Student Congress |
|||
|
Head Advisor |
$3,030.00 |
$3,030.00 |
|
|
Ass't Advisor |
$1,894.00 |
$1,894.00 |
|
|
Yearbook |
|||
|
Advisor |
$3,030.00 |
$3,787.00 |
|
|
Academic Track |
|||
|
Meet Advisor |
$1,515.00 |
$1,515.00 |
|
|
Math Counts |
|||
|
Advisor |
$1,515.00 |
$1,515.00 |
|
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.