Jeff Bergosh Blog: Update --Merit Pay Notification Email

Guidelines

I am one member of a five person board. The opinions I express on this forum are mine only, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Escambia County Staff, Administrators, Employees, or anyone else associated with Escambia County Florida. I am interested in establishing this blog as a means of additional transparency to the public, outreach to the community, and information dissemination to all who choose to look. Feedback is welcome, but because public participation is equally encouraged, appropriate language and decorum is mandatory. Although this is not my campaign site for re-election--sometimes campaign related information will be discussed, therefore in an abundance of caution I add the following :

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Update --Merit Pay Notification Email

I've received the email that was sent out to the Merit Pay eligible instructional personnel in the Escambia County School District. Here it is:

>
> >>> Keith Leonard
> 08/29/08 12:16 PM
> >>>
>
> INFORMATIONAL NOTICE
>
> To: Employees who participated in the Merit Award Plan
>
> As you may recall, the Escambia County School District is
> participating in the Merit Award Plan (MAP). It is
> anticipated that the dissemination of those funds will be on
> September 15, 2008.
>
> Teachers can access their MAP results using the current
> (Merit Award Plan) link provided on the Evaluation Services
> secure web site. Teachers are only allowed to view their
> individual results. The link is provided below:
>
> https://ese2.escambia.k12.fl.us/eval/login.asp
>
> Your logon credentials for the secure site were originally
> set as follows:
>
> Username = XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
> . This is also the same as your
> XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Some employees have a number added to the
> end to assure uniqueness.
>
> Password = XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Some users have
> previously changed their password, using the provided on-
> line utility. In such cases, their password may be
> different.
>
> If you have problems with the logon process please contact
> Evaluation Services. Email preferred.
> June Johnson, Raymond Bell, Malcolm Thomas
>
>
> Keith Leonard
> School District of Escambia County
> Director Of Human Resources
> 850- 469- 6166
> kleonard@escambia.k12.fl.us
>
>
> Please take a moment to help Human Resource Services better
> serve you.
> http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=B42OBgGGuqacPecZ83udgg_3d_3d

I've run into opposition from some who have contacted me because I've posted information about the Merit Pay Plan on my blog. Contrary to what I was told would happen, the district leadership has chosen not to highlight this accomplishment, and this is disappointing. Being one of only a handful of counties statewide who were able to get this done is a big deal. I understand that, regardless of who has endorsed the Merit Award Program, there remains a significant undercurrent of disdain for this plan. I am proud of this plan, I believe in merit pay for teachers, and I look forward to improving the local program and paying these awards out next year, and the next year, for many years to come. I know that Escambia County took a leadership position statewide by stepping forward and navigating the gauntlet to get this done.

Congratulations to the recipients!