[Vision2020] Letter to the Editor: Teacher salary article was incomplete

[Dale Courtney]

Tim writes: 
>      This is an era when teachers are being laid off from 
> their jobs because of either a lack of funding or a decline 
> in the number of students or both.

And with a decline of 15% (see http://courtneys.us/msd/msd_enrollment.htm),
you just *have* to wonder how MSD can continue to add staff to their rolls
(http://courtneys.us/msd/MSD_Trends.htm). 

In fact, MSD is adding staff faster than the kids are leaving MSD. Go
figure!

>     Why doesn't the teacher's union, in the spirit of 
> solidarity, voluntarily adopt an across the board pay cut for 
> all teachers and especially the higher paid administrators in 
> the approximate per-capita amount that it would require to 
> retain those teachers?

Because the union, like all unions, cares about the needs/desires/wants of
its constituency (the teachers). This translates to more pay, fewer hours,
more benefits, etc. 

>     The issue these days doesn't seem to involve teachers 
> with much bargaining power to make demands other than 
> retaining their jobs. There are many qualified teachers in 
> Moscow who are unemployed, underemployed etc. Most teaching 
> jobs advertised in the public schools hereabouts receive 
> dozens of applications. 

Wouldn't *anyone* who has a B.A. apply for a job that starts (with all the
benefits) at $34k (with zero experience)?

>     If the union is sincerely concerned with the cutbacks and 
> layoffs it would seem that they should demonstrate it.    

Again, that's *not* what the union really cares about. The union cares about
the things that its dues-payers care about. 

Best,
Dale Courtney
Moscow, Idaho