Reply to The wisdom of rewarding Montgomery’s school employees (Washington Post)

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Here are my answers to you:

[quote=Anonymous]

1.   MoCo already pays more than other school systems for teachers, why bid 107 for teachers, when 100 will do.[/quote]

MoCo is one of the most expensive places to live in the nation. Already many teachers are commuting to Bethesda from Columbia. It's not defensible to pay them Iowa wages.

[quote=Anonymous]
2.    Many MoCo Taxpayers have not seen raises the last 3 years.  My company has not given raises, Federal employees haven't received a raise, other county workers haven't received a raise.  What makes teachers so special.[/quote]

Most taxpayers are starting to get raises now the economy is on the rebound. So why can't the teachers join in? Or are you saying they can't participate in the economic recovery the rest of us are enjoying?

[quote=Anonymous]This all said, let me point out that I am happy to have MoCo pay teachers more than any other school system in the area.  I think our teachers do a great job.   I just think the system is going in the wrong direction and this pay raise was the wrong signal to send.  It pretty clearly lays out the case that the union is in charge.[/quote]

Stop with the union bogeyman already. This is about paying a decent salary to attract talented professionals to give our children the best education possible. The children who will be paying for your Social Security when you are old and decrepit.[/quote]

I disagree that we pay 'Iowa' wages.  Teachers are the highest paid in the area.   This link below says that Iowa starting pay is $27K, Maryland is $37K and that Maryland is in the top 10 for teacher salaries (6 for starting salary and 9th for average salary).   I would surmise that MoCo is higher than the average Maryland salary, is that fair?  This is my point.  We play teachers great.  I really don't think you can say teachers are not supported.  Here is the link I mention ( I just googled it),

http://www.teacherportal.com/teacher-salaries-by-state

As for Columbia commutes, I think where you live is a choice.  Obviously, not everyone can live in the most expensive areas of our region (that is why it is expensive).  If housing is important to a person, they probably should not become a teacher or they need to accept less housing in the expensive areas.  I am sorry, but teachers will always be outbid by law firm partners and top scientists.  There may be other reasons one lives in Columbia too.

I strongly disagree that most people are receiving wage increases.  The recovery is extremely weak.   We still have way fewer jobs now than at the start of the recession.  Workforce participation has been extremely low due to lack of available jobs.  People are just giving up.  The White House is proposing a 0.5% increase in he 2013 budget for Federal Workers (MoCo has a lot of Federal Employees) and I would not be surprised if Republicans deny that increase.  This is not even close to the 7% increases proposed for teachers.  Can you cite some facts to balance out this story?  I don't think you can.

Finally, with respect to the union bogeyman you mention.  My point is that the union controls the budget.  Does anyone really dispute this?  MoCo votes for an apple ballot BOE all the time.  This is democratic and fair.   I don't like it, but it is the situation.  I wish the union would be honest and just own these decisions.  I don't begrudge them pushing an agenda.  I disagree with it, though.
 
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