[gunsequalfreedom]

The problem is the administrators making $120,000 to $180,000 a year. Teachers starting at $35,000 to $40,000 is certainly not rich but if they are expecting to start at $60,000 to $80,000, they need to find some other line of work.

[EQAndyBuzz]

35,000-40,000 a year to start.

Hmm.. What about the 20,000 a year in benefits?

Get rid of mandatory union dues and pay part of health insurance and retirement and that number could go up by 5-10,000 a year.

[LibertarianLiz]

I am always amazed at these type of stories. The people who write them seem to think that a young 20 something kid, right out of college, who has never actually taught for a living, should be at the same pay scale as someone who has put in 20 years or so. It is ridiculous. No one does that. You start at the low end of the pay scale. That is why they call it a pay scale. As you gain more experience, you gain steps up the pay scale.

And, even if you are a truly lousy teacher, you can never be fired. But, yeah, keep complaining about how $30,000 plus for a yearly salary, plus medical benefits and paid vacation and holidays, is going to leave you starving.

[Buckeye McFrog]

The problem is the administrators making $120,000 to $180,000 a year.

And the problem with THAT is so many administrators are ex-teachers who could not cut it in the classroom. But the union would never allow any of them to be fired. So the only way to get them away from kids was to kick them upstairs and give them a desk job.

[Clump]

I and my parents pit a ton of money into my education, and I have practiced law now for a little over six years.
Two of those years I was a prosecutor and my salary started at 45k and ended up at 50k.
I didn’t whine about it. I took the experience and went into private practice.
Now I’m doing pretty well.
One shouldn’t get all the benefits of a government job and simultaneously demand better pay than the private sector.

[Grams A]

Good heavens - considering the fact that they only work barely nine months a year whatever they make is excellent. Plus taxpayers pay for most of their insurance and retirement. With the addition of all the food service at schools now a lot of them get their breakfast and lunch for free too. Lots of folks would be more than happy to trade places with them. Somebody needs to give them a reality check.

[John D]

I have a common reply to teachers who complain about the low wages; If you do not think it is enough, find another line of work.
I also have a common reply to the people who complain that teachers make too much; If it is such a high paying, easy job get your degree and certification and become a teacher.
Being a teacher is a tough, but rewarding job. Not everyone is cut out to be a teacher.