After reading the article and the more than 100 comments relating to this topic, I thought about why is there so much anger directed towards teachers. Although I understand the frustration with tenure and the anti NJEA sentiment, I really don't agree with the opinion that teachers are overpaid. I still believe that it is one of the most important jobs out there, and we need to attract the best people for the job of educating our children.
The average teacher in Madison makes just under $70,000. Yes, the majority of our tax dollars go toward funding salaries and benefits of town workers, including teachers, administration and municipal workers. The economy has many people feeling the crunch of the times. Many people are resentful that teachers aren't paying their fair share of health care expenses, while the private sector employees are foregoing raises and bearing the brunt of higher taxes. While I do understand the frustration, I believe that teachers are certainly not paid exorbitant amounts of money, and the job they do is certainly worth the money they are paid.
Madison High School was just named as the 200th top high school in the nation, due in part to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to the profession. Most teachers from K-12 are excellent and work long hours serving our kids. We cannot afford to risk our children's education.
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On Tuesday, June 28th at 7:30 in the MHS auditorium, we will have the opportunity to express our opinions on how valuable our schools are. We will be able to address our state representatives and question how the school funding formula and associated tax dollars should be applied to the suburbs, and not just the Abbott districts. I hope that everyone takes time to join me along with the Board of Education and Borough Council to ensure that Madison receives its fair share of the taxes we send to Trenton. If we don't take action now, we will be sorry later. Then it will be the children who are the losers. Can we afford to let that happen? If we could, I'd call 911 to rescue public education in our state. The only way to save our school system is to speak up and get involved! Please come out Tuesday and show the children how important they are!
