Why not for our teachers?

I’m compelled to correct some of the misinformation given by former Somers Trustee, Mike Schlegel, in the story about the failure of the Somers district levy.  He is quoted in the article as saying, “The teachers making $80,000 can take a freeze so the ones making $27,000 can catch up, that’s what’s fair, that’s what I’ve learned from six years of being on the board.”  Evidentially, during the six years that Mr. Schlegel was on the Board, he never actually saw the teachers’ salary schedule.  

There is NO teacher in the district making $80,000! If Mr. Schlegel had ever looked at the salaries he would have noted that the top salary after 17 years in the district and 90 credits beyond a Bachelor’s degree is around $59,000. And here is the interesting fact:  at that point in a teacher’s career, without any increase to the salary schedule, those teachers will get a $750 yearly increase, about $62 a month before taxes.  At that rate it would take a teacher another 28 years to earn $80,000 a year!

Another interesting fact:  The cost of in-state tuition at the state universities is around $300 per credit.  The teacher who extends his or her education beyond a bachelor’s degree and earns those 90 credits to get to the top of the salary schedule will have paid approximately $27,000 for those credits!

I can think of no profession where improved competencies don’t result in some kind of monetary gain. Why not for our teachers?

Teri Wing,

Helena