It is apparent that after referencing the Sentinel, the Sun Journal, and the Daily Bulldog, and listening to people at the stores and on the street, that the majority of the taxpaying population has awakened to what is happening in RSU 9.
This is in some aspects too late. The teachers have had a yearly increase in salaries ranging from $900 to $2,500. This gives them a built-in amount of money that covers any property tax increases and still leaves them plenty for inflation and extras.
Administrators also get increases in their salaries. The people, the ones who pay for most of RSU 9’s budget, don’t have that luxury! What increases they may get in wages or retirement, if they get any, don’t even cover additional increases in living expenses, let alone property tax increases. It is time for those that built this school budget and approved it, to wake up to the voice of the people.
They have had enough! It’s time to get off the merry-go-round! And please, stop crying “the poor students!” They have it better than any prior generation!
Bob Millay
Chesterville
Why would any competent person want to work at a job here that is paid through taxes?
There are plenty of other places, (nearly all) that pay better, have better benefits and are better appreciated.
Why would any competent person NOT want to work at a job here that is paid through taxes?
There are NO of other places, (NONE) that pay better, have better benefits and are better appreciated.
Thank you Bob. Your thoughts are appreciated and I agree.
School funding is out of control
Whatever the reason or no matter who’s fault it is,,
The educational system had become like a runaway train.
It’s not sustainable “as is”.
It can’t remain “as it has been”.
It’s pretty clear that we the people are finally stepping in “as it should be”.
Change happens.
@farmingtowner,
Sorry, you’re wrong. If you compare the average teacher’s salary in Franklin County to what it is else where, you will see that it is close to the bottom.
Yes, there are places that are lower, Mississippi, Louisiana, for example. The cost of living there is also lower, no heating bills and gas is cheaper.
Year after year, it’s the same thing, cut cut cut- the newest teachers. the ones with the latest training, the younger ones full of drive and optimism, must go through the agony each year of seeing if they will continue to have a job. Do they stay here because this is where they want to be, or because they are stuck?
This place is dying, and it’s happening because of the attitudes of too many of the citizens.
Yes, the message is heard loud and clear and our youth are listening. I know what it is telling my children–education is not valued; my teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, etc. are all lazy crooks; your elders resent you because you have it better than they ever had; take zero responsibility for your actions and choices in life because in the end you can just blame your hardships on those you perceive have it better than you; make no attempt to better yourself and become an informed, productive citizen—especially if you come from a disadvantaged background (you must perpetuate the cycle); this community would be better off without children and a school system at all.
@snowman
Sorry, you’re wrong. If you compare the average teacher’s salary in Franklin County to OTHER JOBS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, you will see that it is close to the TOP.
Thanks Bob. Your opinion on the budget means a lot considering your 30+ years experience as a school principal and teacher.
Wow…..so if you earn a degree in a field where you can use the degree, you can make money, and have a lower chance for unemployment? Sounds like an idea worth pursuing. Education counts towards earning possibilities, and career earnings. The higher the education level achieved, the higher the earnings.
http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm
For a mere $70,000 to $100,000 cost and four to five years of your life working part time minimum wage jobs(not counting loss of income) you too can jump on the gravy train. I for one totally respect our teachers. I would not have been where I am today without teachers.It is sad to see our kids get their education in Maine and have to leave the state to earn enough to live and pay their loans off. Thank God I did not have to put up with the crap from taxpayers and disrespectful kids to earn a living for my family.Thank you to our teachers….
farmingtowner: Looks like those educators are in the middle half of income for jobs in Franklin county, not at the top of the income charts. Definitely not at the bottom either.
http://www.towncharts.com/Maine/Economy/Franklin-County-ME-Economy-data.html
@thinking about it, that is true but very few other occupations have summers off as well
multiple week vacations. Money earned per days worked would be a more telling statistic and a lot more indicative of true earnings.
Teachers don’t get all of the the summer off. They still have to attend meetings, organize their classrooms, create study plans, take courses in order to keep their accreditation. Plus, many of them get to wonder all summer if they will have a job in the fall.
Snowman is right. Teachers do not have all summer off. Many are taking classes, working on curriculum, attending meetings,teaching summer school and some even take on other jobs. I don’t know about your school district but the halls in our buildings are not empty during the summer. There is lots of work to be done to get ready for another school year.