As I have a sort of “inside track”, I believe the school board’s information to be, at best, skewed and manipulated. The teachers have seen first-hand the ugliness of some of the school board members. That is not the face they put on for the public and the press.

And before our children’s teachers have to hear one more time that they “only work 191 days a year” or “have 3 months summer vacation”, we owe them the courtesy (have we lost that in today’s society?) of reviewing their information as well. Many, I’m certain, will find it a case of “he said, she said”.

Any real critics are welcome to sign up for a week as a teacher’s assistant to experience their dedication and worth up close and personal. It’s a shame the school board members aren’t willing to step up. Methinks some newfound respect might be born. (We can’t have that, can we? Let the ignorance shine on!)

Teachers have to develop thick skins, but they are human. (Contrary to what children might think.) I firmly believe that no one has the right to disparage or criticize without first having walked the proverbial mile. Do we so hotly contest our police officers? Our firefighters? One may argue that they encounter life-or-death situations daily. That is certainly true. I would counter with the notion that we are placing our greatest resource – our children – in the hands of dedicated professionals for many, many, many hours. The hours (days, really) away from their students that are spent in preparation for engaging and wonderful lessons are countless. I maintain that their working without a contract (again) in good faith all these months and doing what they feel they need to for something they believe may be the greatest lesson they could offer their students. Unfortunately, many in the community will overshadow that with name-calling and foul remarks.

Here’s to a quick resolution with a minimal amount of ruffled feathers. May cool heads prevail. Thanks for allowing me to speak my piece, gentlemen.

You state that the original post was very one sided. As evidence of the one-sided nature of the post, you provide the following additional information:

“the board retracted their retroactive pay offer ”

and

“there is no expected tax increase”

Was there more information that was originally omitted that I missed? Was there any incorrect – or even misleading – information that needs correction or clarification?

Just want to make sure I have all the facts- both sides of the story as it were before reaching any conclusions about the particulars of the Cumberland Valley dispute. I have my own experiences with similar disputes in similar situations, and don’t want to make the mistake of “filling in the blanks” of the current situation with my own past experiences.

the other steve

I hope you realize that I have done more than simply read a couple paragraphs in the local newspaper. I attended the “big” meeting held last month by the school board, and listened intently as I heard teacher after teacher (and supporter after supporter) fail miserably to understand the math involved.

They consistently talked about “losing money” when comparing the increasing health care costs with the increase in pay. More than one mentioned that health care premiums would go up $1900 (in reality, it is “go up to roughly $1900″ which is an increase of $1100.) They then argued that, since pay would on average only go up “about” $1900 they would lose money-failing to comprehend that the pay raises are compounded, while the increasing premiums are not.

I have looked. I have found many criticisms of the school board’s proposals. I have not found what the teacher’s union was bringing to the table.

Feel free to defend the counter-proposals made by the teacher’s union. In fact, I would appreciate it if you would actually point all of us to them. I know I, for one, would love to read them.

As an educator myself, married to an elementary school teacher, I say “Huzzah!”

As a free-market libertarian, I say “Bogus!”

If market forces were allowed to work, maybe teachers would be paid less. Maybe they would be paid more. Maybe they would be paid less until there was a shortage of teachers, adn then they would be paid more.

We just don’t know what the “True” value of teacher’s pay should be.

As long as The State (aka Leviathan) has a monopoly on Capital (the schools and management) and the Unions have a monopoly on Labor (the teachers), we will continue to get the K-12 system we deserve . . .

The Other Steve

(p.s. my wife worked as a non-union member in a non right-to-work state for years. She did not become any more of a fan of the union during her experience. The “fair share” [sic] amount extorted out of her paycheck to support “collective bargaining only” [yeah, right!] did not entitle her to *any* benefits at all . . . including payments out of the strike fund when her colleagues needed a break. So let me get this straight- the state took money out of her paycheck to give to the union, specifically for stuff like the strike fund; and yet she was just as specifically not eligible to collect the strike fund payments?!?)