My wife is a Denver Public Schools teacher. She's been teaching for 3 yrs. This year in September when the school was adjusting the pay due to a new contract she thought her increase was too low. She called the accounting office to inquire. They investigated and told her that they had misplaced her on the matrix (of yrs of experience and education) when they had first hired her and they owed her back pay. The accountant needed to talk to her supervisor but would be back in touch. She called back and said the supervisor concurred, my wife was owed $9k and she would get a check. She did in October.
However, today she got a call from the accounting office. They said they made a mistake, give back $8700.

What do people think about this situation? She's already paid taxes on the $ and I'm a little reluctant to just give back a substantial amount of money in this kind of circumstance without giving it some serious thought. Has anyone had a similar experience. How did you deal with it? Any other advice? She has a union and has contacted her rep, but any other steps people think she should take?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

What was the time frame involved? In other words, when was she paid the money and when did they want it back?

Paid in October, want it back today.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I would talk to your union rep. If I had to repay it I would try to repay it in installments.

Make them spell out in writing what mistake the made with all supporting documentation.

And start keeping a journal. Their F----ed IMOHO.

The Union is also a good idea. Another point on their end is to ask for the exact documentation that supported her getting paid in the first place. That check had to go through a few hands for approval before it was cut.

So, first, find out if they did, or did not, misplace her...

Thanks for the advice.
They definitely misplaced her. In fact, when she was hired, she disputed her placement but at the time they insisted my wife was wrong. In October they admitted she had been right. So the dispute is now over how much that misplacement was worth. At least 2 people--the payroll clerk and her supervisor said it was $9k in October. Now someone else is saying it was $300.

At a minimum the payroll office seems completely incompetent having changed its mind 3 times, each time saying they were sure they were correct. With that track record, I'm not inclined to return any money without a big pile of documentation on their part.

By the way the misplacement resulted from the fact that my wife does not have a Master's degree. However, she has enough hours past a Bachelor's to equate to a Master's by the system's own rules. They failed to recognize this.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

FWIW at this point they need to prove beyond any doubt she owes it back....I would not just hand it over particularly after having paid taxes on it...

Definately get the union involved...and you may wish to consult a lawyer experienced in such matters. first visit may give you definative answers you need to know about the law...for a fairly small fee.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

the government seems to screw up alot with money
example.. my mom gets child support from the state of connecticut.. last year they said they overpaid us a couple hundred so they were going to stop paying for 2 months to even it out.. well we have been getting some checks every now and then.. they take the money directly from my dads checks.. its been 4 months since weve seen a check of 80$.. well then state of connecticut you greedy bastards i need parts money damn it CT is the most corrupt state IMHO

Assuming you have the 'facts' in writing, you then have a solid case to present to them, and they will realize that an unbiased third party will also arrive at the same conclusion.

You have a strong negotiating point. Can you make an appointment to discuss with them how they can right the wrong?

Be strong, and sure, and keep an open mind.

Paul:
Thanks for that very detailed reply. We're going out of town tomorrow for a week, so we'll have to get right on this when we return to get a resolution by the end of the year.
My wife sent e-mails to the union today, but so far has received no reply. A letter from the school district is supposed to be on the way.

Kerry

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Did they have unions back then, Paul???