Teaching in the public schools always brings with that obstacles and challenges that the new teacher will experience. Most of the teachers I knew entered the field of education because they wanted to teach. Simple fact. There are other reasons for students seeking training to be a teacher but will leave those for another time. That same new teacher knows the salaries. They know this and except for advanced degrees the salary is set to experiences; to advanced degrees and etc. I don't know any wealthy teachers that enter and get rich.
There are many in this community that feel teachers do not make enough money. I would have to ask a simple question? What is enough? People employed in other areas of town with college degrees make similar salaries. Exceptions being engineering and other fields of great need and further greater competition for workers. My nephew graduated in mechanical engineering and went to work for Dresser Rand making about $80,000 beginning salary. That salary level came with another price. He would be in the field in Canada in all kinds of weather. DR folk do a lot of their work outdoors. Another nephew graduated with a PhD from Columbia. He is a research scientist with expertise in developing drugs for cancer. His income is better then $300,000.
My personal experiences in education gave me an immense feeling of satisfaction. This feeling cannot be equated with money. I loved getting up in the morning and I never went to work. I loved helping out my students, my teachers and the parent. Oh, I got paid but I felt enough pay for me. The notion that teachers need more pay is fine. Where are the specific teacher outcomes deserving of more money? Why are so many third graders still unable to read satisfactorily. Give me those improvements and let's talk.
HCDE has far too many central office people moving paper and collecting salaries not commensurate for their duties. Those same people need to be in the classrooms assisting teachers and providing adequate and excellent services to children and the taxpayer.
The voters said no to higher tax rate; to a wheel tax. I was one of them. I contacted my local city legislator twice to voice my opinion. They listened. Teachers do great things for our children and our communities but more needs to be done and then ask for more money. I, for one, applaud results.
Robert Brooks