I haven't researched Baltimore, but most areas are having trouble; I can't see why Baltimore would be much different. It appears from the benefits you've listed that they are trying to find teachers for inner city schools. Do you want to go there? Do you want to be the "teacher next door" in some ghetto?
Usually the classes dismissed because they had no one to teach are electives. Required classes must be taught, but sometimes they are overcrowded or taught by unqualified people because qualified teachers can't be found. I've personally given up my planning period (and I know others who have as well) because a qualified teacher couldn't be found for certain classes and I didn't want the students spending the year with a substitute who didn't know the subject matter. (Yes, I got paid a little bit extra. No, the extra didn't cover the additional time it took. I really did do it for the kids.)
How does the hourly compensation for teachers compare with the hourly compensation for other college graduates? Get real!
Hourly compensation is a bit misleading. It doesn't take into account the additional time most good teachers put in at home, at night, and on weekends. Hourly compensation also doesn't necessarily pay the mortgage.
Teachers are not underpaid, if anything they are over paid for what they do!
I can't understand why all the FReepers who claim this aren't rushing to be "overpaid" as we teachers are. Are you overpaid for what you do? Wouldn't you like to be?
Yes, I would love to be an "overpaid" teacher. Just for your information, I have a doctorate in education and am certified to teach in Florida. I tried to obtain a teaching position last year, but alas, I'm an old white guy. They need not apply. Oh, and by the way, I would have made much less than a Baltimore teacher and would have had a lot more minority students than most Baltimore teachers. And don't give me that junk about working after hours to grade papers and such. What, you think most professionals work only 40 hours a week? Get real. Ask some IT guy how many hours they spent off the job updating thier skills. How about you talk to an accountant and see how many hours they're working this month? That is if you can ever find them at home during tax season.
Bottom line. Yes, I would love to be an "overpaid" teacher and I will try again this year but I think my chances as an old white guy are pretty slim, regardless of my qualifications.