Thank you everyone for the great feedback. The creative conflict on the issue is also very informative. I pretty know where I contextually stand on the issue now - thanks to you :) I'm gonna keep my requests balanced and reserve my energy efficiently.

As for the stipend - yeah, that's actually a big $8000 USD + the 1000 Spouse travel credit each year = 10,000 USD after two years that my 2 IB Coordinator colleagues have that I don't. And I was there for every meeting and accreditation prep processs they did. They only have 30 students each so the "running/active program" thing really doesn't fly. Oh well, I learned a lot.

A few months ago my Principal informed me that the Board agreed to give me "$1000-1500" for my DP Authorization work if we get the DP Authorization. I was disappointed and I prepared a grievance letter for the Board about the whole issue, and then asked that I be compensated half what the other IB Coordinators get. I emailed it to the Principal first, and he came back and told me he emailed it to them for me and that the new arrangement is "$2000-3000" if we get the DP Authorization. I wasn't cc'd the email correspondence with the board (wink wink:) Pretty big number range there too ;)

So, I guess if they don't like the new safety gas valves in the new science lab, I don't get the money. Or if IBO thinks the school doesn't have the resources and enough money to support the program, I don't get anything. I see these as item that I certainly do not have any control over.

Me - "aside form the DP Coordination, what about my "leadership team" membership? All those meetings I have to go and participate in with the other 2 coordinators? I even started school a week early with the other coordinators? And what about all those WASC accreditation meetings I had to attend? And all that weekend work marketing the IB DP Program? All the MYP Grade 10 DP student guidance/counseling? What about all this?

Principal - "right, yeah, you make a point, I wasn't here last year when all this was negotiated (stone face silence)"

Me - "yeah, I don't recall any negotiation though"

;)

Yes, I might just ask and accept the reply.

As I was looking through the policies I found another statement in the yearly flight policies that says " spouses can receive a $1000 usd travel benefit".

I brought this to my (new) Principal and he said,

"this is only for coordinators"

Me " but i've been the DP Coordinator for the last 2 years"

Him " yes, but last year's Principal told me it is only for active program coordinators, your the candidacy coordinator, your program does not have students yet, your setting the high school program up.

Me "I'm sorry, but what does active student enrollment have to do with a spouse getting a travel benefit? I work just as hard as them at coordination and I attend to all the same leadership meetings and planning. I set the school up for IB DP Authorization over the last 2 years?They only have 30 active students each in both PYP and MYP and we never get new students?"

Him " good point, it just depends on how you look at it"

I uncomfortably accepted not getting the $4000 per year coordinator stipend under this "active student" argument, but excluding me from this spousal benefit under the same position is going a little too far IMO.

Makes me feel like really charging hard for my infants own seat! LoL.

yes, Right. I see :)

I found the policy....

It says:
* The school will pay airfare from XYZ to home city at the completion of the contract for the employee and dependents under 18 residing with the employee.*

Would I still be acting like a Princess with this new info on "The Policy"?


Great feedback by the way -- thank you so much!

Hello International School Review Community

I just want to ask your opinion and perspective on something.

I am currently completing a successful 2 year contract in good standing. When I was hired, I was a single. Since this time I have been married and I have an infant dependent. The contract I have states that flights home cover me and dependents (but not spouse). My baby will be about 10 months old at the end of the contract. I really want to get his own ticket/seat rather than the "baby on lap" due to the fact that I require two flights. One flight is 12 hours and the 2nd is 5hrs long. This is a long uncomfortable time and even a little dangerous for the Baby on lap position IMO.

My question is, should I feel guilty for requesting the school to pay for the full seat price for my 1 year old? It is an expensive flight and the very small school is having money problems - it's nonprofit and just doing a little better than breaking even. I personally feel that the school culture here is pressuring me towards "baby on lap" and even that isn't going over too well. I heard my NEW principal say something about the benefit only being for over 2 year olds but he did not really suggest this with full confidence because he knows that my contract does not say this and this might not be consistent with some past teachers. Also, there is a subtle systemic resentment to my added school costs and there does also seem to be an air of regret where they wished they had of adjusted the wording more carefully in the contract before. Also, this is an IB World School and they do try to be considered a "progressive school".

Should I not be requesting this extra seat cost because I did not have the baby dependent when I was hired? The contract wording specifically says: " The school will pay airfare back to hometown ... *dependents (children) but not spouse will be added to this entitlement. Maybe that (children) term does in fact mean "not infants"? I don't wanna be a smuck but at the same time, I really could use that seat for the long flight :i

Any words of wisdom out here on this? What would you do? Thanks for any input - really appreciate it.