Educator salary debate in the news!

[Elgin Clock]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20080331/ts_csm/asupers

Of all the times I've heard that singers, actors and any kind of performer get paid way too much, and that we idolize them way too much as well, and how teachers and educators aren't making as much as they should compared to these false american idols in entertainment - finally a superintendent of a school district wants a huge salary, and it's being questioned???

What is wrong with this country that we say we want something to change the culture, and when it's finally attempted, we shun it, or are cautious about it?

Thoughts?

[SL8]

I believe thst teachers and educators in general should be pad more.

[Molten]

The problem is that most schools have very limited funds. To give one man a raise would either cost school equipment or other teachers. Either of which would hurt the students. The reason it is in debate is because the educator probably requested the higher salary. If everyone decided to raise money to increase his pay, there wouldn't be a debate. The same thing happens every time a legislator asks for a raise or anyone for that matter. If I went to work and asked for a raise, my boss would either debate it with me or fire me. Why should it be different for teachers or actors? The difference between the teachers and me is that they are being paid by tax dollars which make everyone feel that it has an impact on them. For the actors, the difference is that the person they are asking for a raise is rich. Of course teachers should get paid as well as movie stars. But unfortunately they won't.

[proegssilb]

Pardon me, but let's do a little comparison here... over $200,000 for one person (if I read the article correctly), compared to... *googles* $40,000 to $60,000 (rounded, average). Does this seem disproportional to anyone else? Maybe I'm just biased against leader-types' wages, based on what I've heard of CEOs' wages (which is probably also skewed...)

[Carlee10]

I think there's a difference between paying more and getting ridiculous. Some teachers probably really honestly do need/deserve more. I know some teachers who work way longer, way harder, and generally go above and beyond what they are actually obliged to by their contracts. On the flip side, there are some that you can just tell that they don't want to be there, and don't want to deal with students. There's an upside and a downside to paying more. This one in particular seems a bit too much too me.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by proegssilb

Pardon me, but let's do a little comparison here... over $200,000 for one person (if I read the article correctly), compared to... *googles* $40,000 to $60,000 (rounded, average). Does this seem disproportional to anyone else? Maybe I'm just biased against leader-types' wages, based on what I've heard of CEOs' wages (which is probably also skewed...)

Yes it's skewed. But so is the world of professional sports, acting, and singing, and other entertainers compared to the wages of people who actually risk their lives every day and protect us, and also those who teach us.

I'm going to have to agree that over 200k is a lot for one person to make, but I think the way to change the rules is to become an exception to them first, and let change follow you.

Basically what I'm saying is that yes, this is an enormous amount for one person, but I think it will make people compare it to what is paid for entertainment in this country, and hopefully in the long run raise the awareness & the salary (of not only this one person asking this amount) - but of the teaching community overall.

We complain that entertainers make so much money, but we go out and see every new movie that comes out, buy every CD that comes out, and go to every professional sporting event we can, while still complaining about paying too much in local taxes which directly fund the pockets of our childrens' teachers.

I could care less if a professional baseball team went on strike, or actor gave up acting, or singer stopped singing - but a lot of people do for some reason.

I'm 100% positive a lot of people would sit up and take notice if a lot of teachers walked out and demanded more money they deserve though.

I'm betting this superintendent won't get what he's asking for in this deal, but maybe it will make the public at least think about where the money really goes in this society, and where it should go.

It's all about defining & finding your priorities, and comparing the things that don't really matter to the things that do.