"cowardly, lazy and thoughtless." wrote on Jan 21, 2008 2:40 AM:What a crock! School administrators are crying about a 2% cutback that is allowed under Proposition 98. As usual, the teachers (and the teachers union) will speak up and "make education priority #1" by whining about every budget adjustment when economic times aren't good. Every media story about education has placed teachers' jobs as a much higher priority than the actual education our kids are presently receiving. I here some violin music playing...

ShowMeTheMoney wrote on Jan 21, 2008 5:58 AM:Just raise the car registration fees! Oh wait we tried that. That’s how the last governor got fired. Oh well try it again.

Hey just maybe wrote on Jan 21, 2008 6:38 AM:the teachers could work? As it is now they have a teachers day off, holidays, everytime you turn aroud they have another day off. And how about teaching in English, I would imagine that is going to save mega bucks, as no more need to have bi-lingual text books, the kid flunks he stays behind a grade. Seems kids don't like to stay behind so they study a little bit harder. If the teachers can't handle the job maybe paid home schoolers are going to be the next profession in demand.

Escondido Teacher wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:18 AM:For those of you who have already posted ignorance on this page, complaining that teacher's get too many days off and that "teachers can't handle the job," maybe you'd like to come spend a day in a classroom full of students who all have different learning and emotional needs that teachers need to adjust and accomodate for in order for those students to learn. The low income, low socio-economic school I teach at has raised it's API score almost 200 points in the last 5 years. That's due to TEACHERS spending time learning how to differentiate and teach to their students needs. We work our tails off. Don't start complaining about a teacher's workload until you've spent a day in our shoes.

To Escondido Teacher wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:29 AM:Why aren't you still sleeping? Its another holiday for you!

Change wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:48 AM:School Districts get more than enough money to educate our kids. Too much of the budget goes to pay teachers and their enormous benefit packages. It is basically part-time work. Those of us in private industry who pay the taxes for teachers' salaries are getting tired of the whining from teachers and school districts.

Priorities wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:03 AM:30% of the funding goes to what % of the kids? Maybe it's time to stop the social engineering and focus on giving everyone a basic education, IN ENGLISH. How about those sweetheart early retirement packages? If the state could get some of the $$$ it had to put into CAPPERS/CALSTRS to fund the giveaways under Gray Davis back, we wouldn't be in such a pickle. The problem is that spending grew faster than revenues. This is amazing, since the revenues were driven faster than population growth + inflation, thanks to the explosion in property tax revenue during the real estate boom. Why? Lavish raises and perks for the public employee unions. ALL the public sector employees need to actually work something comparable to what the rest of us, who typically work 50+ hours a week, and often second jobs, have to to stay afloat in this state. We've got a government of, by, and for the public employee's unions. Time to pay the piper!

"The Office" wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:05 AM:Maybe the teacher would like to come and spend all but 15 days a year dealing with management fads, recalcitrant co-workers, vendors who sell stuff to the CEO on the golf course that doesn't work, etc. etc. Dilbert is the average working stiff's reality. At least you are bigger than those you have to corrall, and they actually have consequences if they don't listen to you, as opposed to getting paid multi-million $ severance packages when they tank the company.

to "The Office" wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:44 AM:For people like "The Office" who seem to truly dislike their jobs, and those who complain teachers get too many holidays...go back to school for a year, get your credential, take the tests mandated by the state to even get a teaching job, and become a teacher! Then, you too could have tons of holidays off and a great retirement!

Temecula Teacher wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:55 AM:Enough of the teacher bashing already! We all have difficult jobs, but I still love mine, because I do it all for the kids! I wouldn't trade for an "inside the box" off ice job anyday. The reality is, these cuts are going to hurt, and hurt bad! When they trake the cuts from Sp. Ed., those programs are MANDATED by the government, which means the money will actually have to be taken from other programs to run Sp. Ed., same with the bilingual programs. Education in California has never been #1 in the states, and guess what? At this rate, it never will. I'm not complaining about my pay. I know I do pretty well. I make over 70 grand a year for 185 days of work. That's what you see on paper anyway....

Cruiser wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:26 AM:If we would stop catering to all of the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS and their offspring in our school systems, there would be no need for "budget cuts!" The real tragedy is that our own children are the ones that will suffer as a result. When are our elected officials going to wake up???

Sorry teachers wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:34 AM:but the general public is tired of your whinning!

So the Buck stopped here.... wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:36 AM:In an economic downturn, cutbacks are necessary, not expansion. If this isn't another big hint to the EUHSD that this isn't the time to float a 95 million dollar bond measure, I don't know what is. Maybe we will have to start taking a look at programs that we are spending millions of dollars on to educate and teach English to students who aren't even legal residents or students. Ironically, they are looking at personnel, counsellors, and maintenance, instead of the easiest program to target...

One of the lowest ranking states in education wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:56 AM:Please do your homework before you blame the teachers and the districts. California ranks one of the lowest states in education because of funding issues that the districts have long battled. As a parent, I don't think it's fair, nor does it make sense to blame the people who truly work hard to educate our children under a seemingly impossible financial situation. Look to the state and federal government to equalize funding.

To "to The office" wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:59 AM:If we followed your advice, who would do the productive work that creates an economy? The current taxation and regulatory environment is doing exactly what you propose, turning CA into a state of government workers and low income service jobs who rely on the government for most things. When you've chased all the industry out of the state, who is going to pay for all you parasites?

This is good stuff wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:15 AM:About time. They need to cut deep enough until they are prepared to do something about the illegal children.

tori wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:19 AM:Wow, looks like the educational system failed most of you. It's not about who has a hard job and who doesn't. It's about educators realizing that they have less to work with and plan accordingly. Just like a large private firm must adjust for difficult economic times, so must a public school district. Unfortunately, when you looks at cuts in a school district, it comes in the form of personnel, given that a school is not run by computers but rather compassionate, educated, understanding people who want nothing more than to assist the youth of the country achieve their potential. So instead of having 40-45 students to one teacher per period, we will now have 45-50. There will not be enough books, desks, or time to connect with every student. We will continue to do our best with the tools we are given. We will continue to have our 1 student-free day at the end of each semester, used to wrap up loose ends and grade 180 essay finals. This will not come close to the time I have spent above and beyond my workday and on weekends. The fact that teachers have a lot of vacation time is irrelevant. We teach students from August to June and our paychecks reflect that. We all face difficulties in our chosen professions but that is exactly what they are: chosen professions.

Tired of Hearing It wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:32 AM:It's time to get rid of ALL the public employees' unions in this state! They are bleeding the taxpayers dry! When the average teacher/cop/fireman is pulling down $70-120K, plus benefits, something is very wrong. I'm really tired of them all complaining about how underpaid they are, then reading or hearing about one who has just bought a $1MM house, while I can't afford a house at all, partly because I pay all those taxes that keep them fat, happy, and not doing a whole lot to earn that money. Oh, and please spare me the bleeding heart crap about how hard they all work - I've seen way too much evidence to the contrary!

Recession will continue wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:50 AM:you have not seen the worst of the tax downward turn yet. Big problems ahead for education and the state economy as tax revenues continue to fall. you can tell when a realitor is lying when his lips are moving. This economy may come back in late 2010.

Bob wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:54 AM:Nothing in this article said anything about teachers whining. To all the people complaining about how good teachers have it then why don't you do it if it so great. Last time I checked teachers pay taxes too so they pay part of their salaries as well; not just those in private industry. The reality is that only 1/3 of our population is qualified to be a teacher.

N.C. Teacher wrote on Jan 21, 2008 11:23 AM:For those of you who feel the need to bash teachers...first of all you can thank a teacher somewhere for your ability to read and write. Secondly, you show your total ignorance regarding the teaching profession. Teachers are not in the profession to make great money. With my masters degree I could make double the money in some other profession, but instead I'm doing my part to produce lifelong learners and an educated society. I know very few teachers who work only the 40 hour week they are paid to work. We work 50-60 hour weeks, even more when we're writing progress reports or attending mandated IEP meetings. After over 30 years in the profession, when I divide my pay by the hours I work, I make about $7.50 an hour. No, I am NOT complaining or whining, just stating facts. You envy our 185 day work year? We only get paid for the days we work, with our pay being split into 12 equal paychecks. Many teachers work a summer job just to make ends meet. I would gladly work more days, for compensation of course. There are no more "sweetheart retirement packages." I'm going to have to take my California retirement to another state just to be able to live. In my district there is NO bilingual education, ALL materials are in English. We are fighting an uphill battle with so many non-English and limited English speakers in our schools who are expected to take the state mandated tests in English. There are more children than ever in our public schools who are identified with autism, behavior disorders, learning disabilities, etc. Again, I'm not complaining, but it's my job to educate ALL of those children, differentiating my instruction to meet all of their needs. I've attended professional development classes and workshops every year to stay on top of the most current educational research and teaching practices. Many of those I paid for out of my own pocket, with no compensation from my district. I doubt there are many other professions where so much is demanded, yet are so disrespected. Walk a day in my shoes and you will change your perspective!

Oh wait wrote on Jan 21, 2008 11:30 AM:me bad! I forgot the teachers are saying it is the parents fault the children are failing. Isn't that sort of like biting the hand that feeds you?

Wake Up wrote on Jan 21, 2008 11:33 AM:Maybe we should just spend the money that is left on the children of the parents who are "tax paying legal citizens"? Maybe then we would not have to close parks & beaches? But that's just my opinion...

Why is it wrote on Jan 21, 2008 1:07 PM:when I went to school, we had very rarely any high school drop outs, everybody spoke English and if you didn't do your homework you got an "F". I don't remeber us running out of supplies as we brought our own.

I thank my parents wrote on Jan 21, 2008 1:10 PM:I could read and write by the time I was 4. My 3 year old can already read at a 2nd grade level, and write many words. Teachers need to get over their Messiah complex. BTW: I don't blame Teachers for the problems. The people who call themselves "Educators" because they haven't seen the inside of a classroom in over a decade are the problem. Stop all the special ed, social engineering, busing, and other non-teaching expenditures, and there will be plenty for spending in the classroom. Public schools get more per pupil than all but the wealthiest parochial or private schools, but we all know which produce a better education.

parents... wrote on Jan 21, 2008 1:42 PM:I am sure that the many of you commenters who bash teachers as whiners have children, nieces, nephews, cousins, etc... who have been in or are currently in the state education system. Perhaps you should think twice as these "whiners" are the very people that your children trust to talk to. Yes, your children tell me everything that you are too busy to hear, won't take the time to listen to, or rush to judgment about. I would think that you would be pleased that your children have another educated adult to talk to in shaping their pathway to success. Of course, you always have the option to continue to ignore your children and their education and spend your time on the nctimes websites writing rants about how easy teachers have it.

vcguy wrote on Jan 21, 2008 1:48 PM:Tenure for teachers in California is 2 years. Keep your nose clean for 24 months and you’ve got a job with great benefits for life.

Try to take tenure away from California teachers and they scream like spoiled little brats. I always vote “NO” for anything related to California schools because of tenure.

Doctors, lawyers, engineers and basically anyone can lose their job because of incompetence. California teachers are the exception to the rule. Isn’t the problem obvious?

Other states without tenure don’t have the “last in education” title like California. I wonder why. If you dump the bad teachers and the kids of illegals, the budget deficit will fix itself.

to why is it... wrote on Jan 21, 2008 1:55 PM:you probably "didn't have any dropouts" because it wasn't tracked until recently. When students don't do their homework now, they still get an F. Some students bring their supplies and some don't but when a school has a majority of students who can't always afford food and shelter, pencils and paper become secondary.

no kids?? wrote on Jan 21, 2008 2:24 PM:One must wonder if all of the people complaining about teachers and their work, or lack their of, have children...have you stopped to thank your child's teacher for missing their own children's first day of school to be there for your children? And if you disagree so much about the workload of a teacher and don't feel that they are doing a good job for your children (if you have them), then keep your kids home and home school them.

It looks as if the wrote on Jan 21, 2008 2:45 PM:teachers are out numbered by tax weary citizens. Maybe time everybody pulled their child out for home schooling and see who gets paid, I am willing to bet the unions are first and then the administrators and then the teachers and if any is left, MAYBE the remaining students.

Trotsky wrote on Jan 21, 2008 2:56 PM:Sure do hear a lot of crying out there. All as I can say, I wish I had your retirement benefits. Having worked for a fortune 500 company, let me give you teachers the party line -- you need to work smarter not harder. Oh, wait, sorry -- most of the teachers can't pass the required exams to exit high school.

Budget wrote on Jan 21, 2008 3:18 PM:Over 40% of the state budget goes to education. Over 40%! Yet, CA still ranks near the bottom when it comes to results, low test scores and etc. 30% of the education budget goes to "special education" - that is is crime to the tax paying residents. I feel for the people that have special needs. However, the cost that CA residents pay for a minortiy group has gone overboard. The state needs to cut the "special education" budget.

Also, community colleges take a large slice of the budget. Compare CA and any other state, and we have too many community colleges - another place to cut the fat.

Shame on YOU wrote on Jan 21, 2008 3:48 PM:Shame on all of you who bash teachers! I work as an Instructional Aide under a mental health grant. I am amazed at how many students live in challenging home environments. Teachers are expected to teach state standards and parent these children at the same time. I challenge all of you who are so quick to blame teachers to volunteer at your local school for a day! I'm sure your local school would appreciate the extra help to tend to the 30 something students in their class. Maybe then you would quit bashing teachers and bash irresponsible parents. Perhaps you are one of those irresponsible parents. The children of today are YOUR future who will be the ones helping you when you are no longer able to help yourselves. So I challenge you to help do your part and contribute to the future generation and quit your belly aching. Who spilled your milk that you're all so angry at teachers? How about our wonderful politicians? How come they are not being held accountable? Until you have walked in someone else's shoes, keep your mouth shut because it just sounds like you're talking from somewhere else.

To wrote on Jan 21, 2008 4:12 PM:Since I'm a conscientious parent, my kids are in private school, and I spend a lot of time working with them on reading, writing, drawing, "how it works" games that are educational, playing various LeapFROG/Leappad games, etc. Sorry you're stuck with the kids of parents who don't care, but I guess, given how awful public schools are, the fact that they send their kids there makes it axiomatic that they are uncaring. I'm not alone in being sick of paying more and more money for a lower and lower quality product: Publik Educashun. Even if I don't send my kids to it, I still have to deal with its products in the hiring pool, and at every business I have to deal with.

Cbad Mom wrote on Jan 21, 2008 4:13 PM:To "I Thank My Parents" - you obviously don't know that special ed and busing, along with many non-teaching expenditures, are MANDATED by law. Schools don't have a choice; they must provide special, very expensive services to students diagnosed with special needs. Autism has exploded and parents want (and GET) special therapies, aides, equipment, and services for their kids. Don't expect schools to cut spending unless they are allowed to decide how to spend the money they DO get.

Imagine getting a paycheck and then being told how you MUST spend it. Welcome to public education!

Concerned-1 wrote on Jan 21, 2008 4:30 PM:Here's an idea: get rid of the superintendents. Many of them can retire today with major benefits. These guys have sucked the system dry with overblown salaries, while helping to ruin an institution. I respect the teachers as individuals. I do not respect them as a political lobby i.e. CTA. In my lifetime, California has gone from the best public education to the worst. And it wasn't because education was underfunded.

to misinformed malcontenets wrote on Jan 21, 2008 4:35 PM:teacher bashing is terrific and definitely gets to the root of the problem. what a bunch of sheep, believing what you're fed by ... by the way, are you at home on this holiday or secretly blogging while at your inspiring and fulfilling job?

Bob wrote on Jan 21, 2008 5:17 PM:CA ranks last in funding and 47th in test scores (DOE). Go figure. We do have some of the hardest tests in the nation too. We do have more non-English speaking students then any other state. We also have a teacher shortage but we have some of the highest teacher training standards too (post-grad certification for most). Teachers have to pass state tests to be a teacher. Teachers are required to pay into their retirement plan, CALSTRS, the districts match their contributions (around 3% of their pay). Just like the private sector 401ks. Learn the truth.

Tenure reality wrote on Jan 21, 2008 5:22 PM:Teachers do not have tenure. They have due process rights. That means districts must have cause to fire a teacher. So called "tenured" teachers are fired all the time and can be laided off if needed. Are their bad teachers teaching, yes. But according to CA comission on teacher credentialing, between 40-60% of teachers leave the profession after 5 years depending on the year. So if it so great why do so many leave.

Vista Teacher wrote on Jan 21, 2008 5:36 PM:With the average pay for k-12 teachers in San Diego County pushing $60k/year, and with most of us only working 9 months out of the year, we really have little room to complain. The cuts we are seeing are as a direct result of the declining income from taxpayers to the state, and the overspending of the Legislature. Our own Administrators at our School Districts have also overspent their budgets, fully knowing that our enrollment numbers are dropping! We have been building new schools as if there were another baby boom, and yet as we have recently seen housing prices have gone so high that few families can afford to live here anymore. To make matters worse, many families who did make an attempt to purchase these overpriced houses got sucked into mortgages they can’t afford. So, all things considered we can easily expect additional declines in enrollment as these young families are forced to sell their houses at a loss, and move out of the state to areas where they can afford to raise their families. This small cut in our budgets is only the beginning of what is sure to come: lay-offs of teachers and administrators! But, you can bet our Union leaders will do all they can to prolong our suffering by forcing School Districts to keep far too many teachers on staff, while others are forced to take even larger pay cuts. All in all this will result in even larger numbers of teachers joining in with those young families who will be forced out of the area due to the looming economic crisis caused by our Political Leaders fiddling while Rome burned (many Historians now believe it was Nero himself who caused the fires be set which in turn destroyed Rome). Yes, it is time for the common citizen to take a stance against the lunatics in Sacramento who have been steeling our children's futures through their Social Engineering, and mismanagement of the Education Budget. Personally, I say get rid of the who lot of them, and Don't even think about allowing them more time in their current seats! Term Limits are a great thing and need not be tampered with. Given any more time in office than they currently have and the mess we are now in will look like child's play!

Another Vista Teacher.... wrote on Jan 21, 2008 6:49 PM:Ha ha ha using the term "over-paid teacher" is like saying "compassionate conservative" or "moral republican"...the words refer to a non-existent entity.

Spouse of OUSD Teacher wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:49 PM:Let's stop bashing teachers and blaming them for the budget crisis. My spouse happens to be a teacher and works hard at the profession. I'm in the corporate world and I'm equally challenged. You can't compare apples and oranges on this subject, so it needs to stop. My spouse has spent countless years getting an education and credentials, and is almost through a masters program. With that said, teachers are constantly going through training to develop strategies to teach. The real crux of the problem lies with the hordes of illegal aliens who have come here drained our resources. Schools are mandated to meet the No Child Left Behind Act and have committed enormous resources in their attempt to meet the provisions outlined by the Act. Illegal aliens are the ones that are creating the problems of meeting the intent of the Act. So, if there is any blame for the budget crisis it has to be with the free-loading illegal aliens who have come here with the expectation that the taxpayer will take care of their needs. The budget crisis is directly impacted by the drain illegal aliens have had on more than education. Look at our welfare and healthcare systems. Illegal aliens are giving birth to babies in droves and who do you think is picking up the tab? The taxpayer! The children of illegal aliens then qualify for welfare benefits the day after they're born. Go to the emergency room at any hospital or Vista Community Clinic some evening and look around. Illegal aliens use emergency rooms and free clinics as their main source of medical care. Who pays for this? You bet, the taxpayer! Most illegal alien children (or children of illegal aliens) qualify for free lunch at schools. And during the past summer, schools in North County were even offering free breakfasts to these kids, and their entire families were showing up for the free-bees. Our criminal justice system, prisons and jails are chocked full of illegal aliens, which has drained our resources tremendously. And in case you didn't know it most illegal aliens work under the table and don't pay taxes. So who's carrying this burden? Yes again, the taxpayer. Statistically, illegal aliens use disproportionately more governmental and social services than the taxpayers. So, if you want to put the blame on someone, the illegal aliens are clearly the ones.

Ted wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:52 PM:According to the San Diego Couty Office of Ed the average salary for a teacher in san Diego county is $41,386. Hopefully the previous post was not from a math teacher.

WhoWhat wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:02 PM:Get over it, Districts stop with the yearly raises (cola) until things improve, it will save your schools and wont hurt too much. Where I come from (hint real world) you get a raise if you do a better job. Not to say some of the teachers aren't great, but why try if there is no incentive to excel..

To N.C. Teacher wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:41 PM:who claims to make $7.50 hr -- I guess you don't know math. Even if you worked 60 hrs a week, 52 weeks a year, you'd get paid $23,400. UNLIKELY.

If I could get paid my salary, putting in 50-60 hours a week for only 9 months and get the rest off as vacation, I would do it in a heartbeat!

Like any defined benefit as a state employee, teachers' contributions towards their pension fund do not come close to expenditures. Pension payout increases are far outstripping inflation and cost of living adjustments.

The Wall Street Journal had an excellent article comparing teacher benefits across the nation, and California was ranked with the best.

I'm ragging on teachers who complain they are overworked, underpaid, stressed, etc. Their compensation is more than fair.

Teachers are not the problem. Neither is funding. It's how the system handles non-English speaking students. Where are any NEW initiatives to handle this?

N.C. parent wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:46 PM:I salute the teachers who are at their classrooms late a night and on weekends, not to mention the preparation time they have spent at home. Like every profession, there are good apples and bad apples. Some teachers are really passionate about what they do and some do it for other reasons. The problem is not with the teachers. The problem is that we live in a society that overspends. People buy things knowing that perhaps they are maxing out on their credit cards. What about the mortgage meltdown? Many people, not all, over-extended themselves. If we don't have the money, why don't the legistators stop spending other people's money? The governor certainly could have done much better. I am disgusted with his proposal.

Floyd wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:10 PM:The last time public school budgets were audited by outside agencies, it was discovered that only 48% of the money actually made it to the classroom. There's lots of places to cut without interfering with the schools #1 goal -- teaching the students.

To Cbad Mom wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:23 PM:You have touched EXACTLY on the problem: The priorities in education are WRONG. Instead of short changing the mainstream for special needs and social engineering, it is time to refocus schools on providing a basic education, IN ENGLISH for everyone. Those who have special needs, need to find other sources of funding (of which there are many, through private foundations etc.). It is counterproductive for the state to drag the vast majority of students down in order to make the marginal basically functional. The priorities are bass-ackwards. Deal with the needs of the vast majority first. If there's excess, then handle the special cases.

Mailing it in wrote on Jan 22, 2008 1:02 AM:Most teachers mail it in a couple of years after tenure when they have finally gone all the way on the education scale and the only way they make more money is from more time served. Being a somewhat recent graduate from high school, I can say that a good amount of teachers just put in a dvd and let the tv babysit classroom. Our state spends over half of its General Fund on education. That is more than everything else combined.

The funny thing is, if there is a good teacher I wouldn't mind paying them twice what they earn. The trade off would be the ability to fire any teacher if they are deemed incompetent. No one should have a lifetime job.

Dont get me started on administration costs and salary.

Product of Public wrote on Jan 22, 2008 7:32 AM:Education, 1 + 6 = 16, I gots it rite!!!! Yahoo!!!! Its on to being a brans surgeon for me!!! Thank u california!!!

to "Vista Teacher" wrote on Jan 22, 2008 3:13 PM:You're a teacher? There really wasn't anything in your diatribe to suggest that was how you are making your living.

To "to NC Teacher" wrote on Jan 22, 2008 3:21 PM:If you think the pay is so good in relation to the workload, and you would do it in a heartbeat, then why don't you? As someone mentioned earlier, about 50% of those who become teachers leave by their 5th year. What does that say about staying power, and how easy - and apparently assumed by many who don't do it - excessively paid, is the job of teaching?

VT to Ted wrote on Jan 23, 2008 5:47 AM:SDCOE's data is very dated! I happen to be a lover of History, but I don't use “historical data” when reporting on current salaries. The number you got is from the 2000 census. It also included the pay of part-time instructors averaged into the number, thus lowering the overall figure. The $60K figure I used is for full-time teachers and was recently reported by the CTA in our monthly news magazine. I ask you, "Why would the CTA report a number significantly higher than reality when they are constantly trying to tell everybody how underpaid teachers are?"

To put it in perspective wrote on Jan 23, 2008 8:10 AM:The average joe working in IT makes about $60K a year, with 10 days vacation, typically at least one weekend a month of work, no pension, random on call, and constantly being berated for things they have no control over, like endless Microsoft bugs. Yet everyone seems to think that IT guys are rich and well paid. This is a field that requires a BS, and where, if you don't get at least one additional certification per year, usually at your own expense of around $2500, your skills become obsolete. Heck, I guess we should all become teachers, as one poster advised. But then, who would pay the taxes, 40% of which already go to the schools?

EL Chickles wrote on Jan 23, 2008 11:31 AM:"So, if there is any blame for the budget crisis it has to be with the free-loading illegal aliens who have come here with the expectation that the taxpayer will take care of their needs." from The Spouse of OSSD Teacher. I feel extremely sorry for the person who wrote the above. In my opinion, you the SPOUSE, you are the real ALIEN in a nation of immigrants.

Who should we blame? wrote on Jan 23, 2008 1:15 PM:Listen folks, the real problem with our California Schools is the SPENDING. The biggest expense in the districts are employee salaries, employee benefits, and employee retirement packages. When compared to other districts in other states, California districts are using on average nearly 90% of the money received for those 3 items (collectively known as “total compensation”). Many of our more competitive states and Charter Schools (here in California) have the total compensation down to only 60% and in some cases as low as 50%. Lets say you have a $100 million dollar district that’s a difference of at least 30% and or an extra $30 MILLION DOLLARS per year. And there kids are getting a better education, how is that possible?

to El Chickles (Grande fool) wrote on Jan 23, 2008 2:52 PM:Go back to Mexico. There is a vast difference between legal immigrants and illegal immigrants the biggest one is those that got in this country legally pay taxes. If 1/3 of your taxes go to helping someone else that’s here illegally, that’s 1/3 less for the tax payers family and kids. If we are talking about Schools that means your kids (if you don’t have any yet please do us a favor and keep it that way) and mine get 1/3 less of their fair share of an education.

Who should we blame? wrote on Jan 23, 2008 3:10 PM:Most of the districts in North County over the past 10 years have seen a great deal of growth which has created allot of excess revenue. Unfortunately most of our district officials have swallowed up every last penny of that excess revenue and given it to the Unions. The prudent thing to do in good financial times is to set aside some money for a rainy day. Those district officials that are upset at our Governor are only pointing the finger at him in an attempt to deflect their own personal blame. Now that the inevitable rain (budget cuts) is falling and the rainy day savings is not there our local districts are going to have to make major cuts and the class sizes will be bigger and sadly many of our best and brightest teachers will be laid off.

to: to "Vista Teacher" wrote on Jan 23, 2008 3:47 PM:There are many Teacher that do not share the Union "party line". As a Teacher myself, I think we would all be better off without a Union.

Who Should we blame? wrote on Jan 23, 2008 3:54 PM:I have found that most teachers do in fact lover their job and do not do it for the money, but unfortunately it’s the unions that have the power. Had our local district administrators and elected board members (that we trust to look out for our best interest) done the fiscally responsible thing they could weather this storm without cuts. If you don’t take the time to plan and prepare for emergencies you are the only one to blame. As long as the voting population of north county continues to elect liberal retired teachers and or teacher union endorsed indentured servant candidates they too only have themselves to blame!

Was a Union Man wrote on Jan 23, 2008 6:05 PM:At a local school district, I watched as a new superintendent tried to enact change, I sat and listened to contentious board meetings and monitored an even more contentious board election. The district admin, parents and businesses saw the writing on the wall. There was soon to be no money. The Unions did what they always do, bought off the Super and sent him home, elected union shills to have a majority, put a co-conspirator in as Superintendent and now the unions own San Marcos Unified lock stock and barrel. 90% personnel costs plus 5% cost of living increase, free benefits (including family) "or else" WE STRIKE.

Let Them Strike! wrote on Jan 23, 2008 10:43 PM:If the Teachers want to strike, LET THEM! Won't cause any more harm to the kids then they are already doing. In fact, kids might actual get some home schooling done while teachers are out on strike, allowing them to get caught up and prepared for the STAR tests later this year. Save teh Stae a load of money too. Possibly enough to balance the budget! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! (3 strikes and your out!)

Floyd wrote on Jan 23, 2008 11:56 PM:Converting to an all-voucher system would be less expensive than the current funding method, plus it would allow parents to be actively involved in their children's learning by selecting an appropriate school for their kids. Imagine -- a school that was responsive to student needs instead of some remote bureaucracy somewhere! Now that would be an improvement!

to Floyd wrote on Jan 24, 2008 5:52 AM:An all-voucher system would be unconstitutional because it violates separation of church and state. In an all-voucher system vouchers could technically go to schools with a Satanist dogma. For teachers who do not share the "union party line" there are charter schools (GPA for example) and private schools that may better serve your needs.

John wrote on Jan 25, 2008 2:26 PM:If parents are so upset about the schools - why not educate yourselves, and take responsibility for demanding proper service, as well as doing what you can at home? It is hard for teh system to change when the sasme old complaints come along. Learn the system. Learn the research. Then you will sound intelligent. Look to non profit orgs for info,SPED advocacy groups, or for profits like Words Lab in Carlsbad. People are out there working hard. Join in, or stop complaining.

Escondido Teacher wrote on Feb 29, 2008 8:00 PM:Ignorance is defined as "a lack of information or knowledge". Some of the views expressed before mine are simply ignorant. Are you a current school teacher? No? Then frankly, you have no idea what kind of talent and skill it takes to be a teacher. Keep your insults to yourself, please. Or at least preface your insults with the admission that you don't really know what you are talking about. Do you have kids? What, one or two or three children? Try taking care of all of your three children, plus 27 more; or, take care of your children plus 157 more. Do that on a daily basis... after that, then you've earned the right to come to this forum and discuss the merits of a teacher.

Saddened wrote on Mar 1, 2008 6:24 PM:Children are going to suffer the consequences of these devestating budget cuts... my children and your children. Unfortunately, those children who are in lower socioeconomic schools will suffer the most. They were already receiving substandard educations. This is the United States! After reading all of these negative comments about the teaching profession, I understand why students no longer respect their teachers. If you want things to go back to "the way they used to be," then respect the teaching profession and teach your children to do the same also.