They seem to like the military analogy. How about we pay them the same as an incoming Army private and truly make them move up in rank before hitting higher pay grades? Liberals seem to believe our soldiers are paid too well, and have great benefits - perhaps it would open their eyes just a bit.
The basic problem is that most school districts in America depend on taxing property.
When the value of property goes down ( USA house values are now down 20 %+/- from 2007 values) while the teachers salaries stay the same.
This shortfall cannot be made up because more land is not being made, and few are building more buildings.
This is a good time to shift property tax income to parts of the government that are related to property: Fire, police, courts, etc.
This is a good time for schools to shift from a fixed asset base such as property to an adjustable base such as population.
How the population is taxed should be independent of property.