Comments on: Guest Column: Rockford school board is at war with our educators

By: monkey

monkey — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:47:41 +0000

The problem with teacher salaries is that we pay them way too little at the front ends and back ends of their careers. In other words, we start a new teacher at $33,000 and then wonder why people don’t want to become teachers. Then we have k-garten teachers making $100,000 because they’ve been doing it for 30 years. Start teacher pay at $50K, hold them more accountable for performance. End these crazily generous guaranteed pensions that are bankrupting the state. Intead, have teachers contribute and draw from Social Security. Give them a 403(b) or 401(k) like the private sector and take them off defined benefit packages which, again, are bankrupting the state. Have them contribute more to their health care, like the rest of the private sector. And, base their salaries on 10 months of work.

By: John

John — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:59:56 +0000

critic…not critique

By: John

John — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:59:19 +0000

I am no sympathizer with teachers or their union. That said, I am definitely a critique of this administration, and this weak-kneed board.

If I had to choose sides, I side with the taxpayers. Our hard-earned money is being mindlessly squandered on fraud, waste, and abuse.

That said, I appreciate Ms. Powers and her efforts to bring this orgy of wasteful spending out from under the rock our elected board chooses to hide it.

By: Richard Kanak

Richard Kanak — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:39:41 +0000

I am more concerned that the University of Illinois football coach is the highest paid U of I employee at $1.5 million.

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:46:02 +0000

I would love to know where the large annual increases in salary exist for the teachers to which many refer. After 30+ years in 205, I didn’t receive a “raise” for the last 10 years unless there was a new contract and that factor was built into it. Most years it was $500 for each IF you had less than 20 years. Thankfully, in spite of the attacks by administration, teachers continue to carry on educating the children of Rockford. Educators in this district have been the single factor of continuity for the students.
Great job, Mary Jo, WEE and those who spoke out at the board meeting.

By: for the kids

for the kids — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:17:21 +0000

Thank you, Mary Jo & WEE>

By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:36:54 +0000

And… the news last night announced that the district thinks the administrators deserve more money, while the teachers are being paid too much based on comparisons with other cities – most of which are not within driving distance of the Chicago suburbs. If I’m already driving a half hour to get to school, I’m ready to make it an hour one way and work in a district where I’ll get some respect. Does one of those still exist?

By: arlys Mills

arlys Mills — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:04:57 +0000

Last night I heard a committee wants to reduce teacher salaries and raise the salaries of administrators.

I realize the argument for reducing salaries has to do with budgeting in these difficult times but why would you raise administrators salaries.
This is another slap in the face of good teachers.
If you could not get administrators you
might have to raise salaries but the administrator positions are filled. I realize the superintendent is only temporary but shelling out big bucks doesn’t seem to help get a good Superintendent.