The cash-stressed New York City school system is spending about $70 million this year on paid sabbaticals for 1000 veteran teachers, the New York Post reported last week. The teachers are on six- and twelve-month leaves of absences, taking college courses part-time. Their union contract allows teachers to take a full-year sabbatical at 70 percent pay after fourteen years of service and a six-month sabbatical at 60 percent pay after 7 years. The Post notes that some of the courses are of a recreational nature, such as Beginning Tennis.
"Teachers on leave cost city millions," by Carl Campanile, New York Post, March 10, 2003