[maine-iac7]

Maybe if they became a little more particular about the teachers they hire and pay them a little more (at least here in West TX) we will have higher averages for reading, writing and math scores across the country.

No. 1: living expenses in West Texas are far lower than even here in Maine, where the salaries are below Texas - and Texas, in addition, doesn't have state income taxes.

No.2: Pay them more if you want them to teach better???

How would that rationale work in the 'real' workaday work place?

"Hey, boss, you want me to do a good job. Pay me more!" That modus operandi would get the employee a boot out the door.

It works the other way around...in the real world.

[Clara Lou]

No. 1: living expenses in West Texas are far lower than even here in Maine, where the salaries are below Texas - and Texas, in addition, doesn't have state income taxes.
No, Texas just has property taxes that are sky high to make up for the lack of a state income tax.
No.2: Pay them more if you want them to teach better???
You added the bolded part. That wasn't part of the original reply.