Michigan teacher must cover cost of substitute while on military duty

Detroit Free Press ^ | March 3, 2004

[jwalburg]

GRAND RAPIDS -- A Michigan school district told a teacher activated for military duty that he must cover the cost of a substitute during part of his absence and give the district some of his military pay.

At a school board meeting this week, angry teachers, students and district residents criticized the decision by administrators at Kenowa Hills Public Schools.

[JeeperFreeper]

No good deed goes unpunished.

[SouthernFreebird]

They need a new superintendent. geez, what a pig.

[Levante]

What kind of decision can you expect from these socialists?

BTW, isn't this a violation of federal labor protection laws?

[Bigg Red]

When compared to employees of private companies, the district is doing what it should to protect Bernhardt's financial stability, Gillette said.


***

What a jerk! I feel a Freep comin' on! What can we do?

[Peter J. Huss]

The school is in the right. He ought not get paid if he does not do the work.

[SAMWolf]

When I was called up for flood duty, I turnd my Guard pay to my employer in exchange for my regular salary. Jury duty worked the same way.

But paying for your substitue is BS, IMHO.

[MP5]

That has to be illegal. I know in my wife's case, if she stays on active duty less than 5 years, her employer must hire her back.

[Moleman]

WTF, what is it about schools anyway??

[Defendingliberty]

This is total BS....We need to mobilize,,,

[Bigg Red]

Dosers, what can we do to help this guy?

[octobersky]

Hannity will probably be all over this, if he knows about it.

[Bigg Red]

Looks like Peter is a Moby Dork who just signed up today.

[Tallguy]

Are there any regulations at the federal level that protect Reserve & National Guard personnel from a vindictive employer? I understand that he won't collect his teaching salary, but to assess his military pay -- that's ridiculous! He should have said he needed family leave to take care of his Uncle Sam.

[Professional Engineer]

WTF? The superintendent must be the poster child for "How to Make Friends and Influence People". What a maroon.

[Peter J. Huss]

"In the end, the teacher will receive $573 more than he would have after the two-week military leave, Gillette said. Bernhardt will give the district only six days' worth of his military pay, and he also will receive a military housing allowance."

His job is not in jeopardy. He is ahead by more than $500 after his 2 weeks.

I don't see a need for action.

[Moose4]

"In the future, he's not going to get out that well," Gillette said.

Yeah, Gilette, he's just jetting off to sunny Italy for a vacation for two weeks. Idiot.

What a freaking jerk. I sure hope the School Board up there does right by the Guardsman, or the lot of them get voted out come next election.

}:-)4

[feedback doctor]

Come on now folks. He's in the evil military. It's not like he was organizing a militant gay event or something (public schools probably give bonus pay for that).

[Mudcat]

"In the future, he's not going to get out that well," Gillette said.

What an ass! This Gillette fellow should go then, if he thinks it's such a great deal!!

[davisfh]

"Michigan teacher must cover cost of substitute while on military duty"

I kept looking for something indicating that this was some sort of misguided satire. Didn't find it. This is absolutely outrageous. This guy is likely to be deployed in harm's way and that bunch of jerks is worried that he might be "making money."