Glory years for educators, not for taxpayers

In the Nov. 9 edition of the Daily Herald, there is a letter to the editor by Karen Wagner titled "Teachers, education at crossroads." She states: "I was an Illinois teacher from the late '70s to 2000. We did truly teach during the glory years. We had good facilities, we were paid well, and I feel our work was appreciated."

The "glory years" indeed - for teachers and administrators. But most certainly not for the taxpayers of Illinois.

During these "glory years," our retiring educators were giving themselves 15 percent to 20 percent (and higher) pension spikes in the years just prior to retirement.

The "glory years" will obviously continue for years to come for Ms. Wagner and her retired colleagues - all at the expense of Illinois taxpayers.

Ms. Wagner goes on to state: "Education, like so much else in our society, is falling victim to the great god of profit."

So according to Ms. Wagner, it is just fine for our educators to profit from abuse of the system but just the mere mention of the word "profit" represents everything evil with the private sector.

Just another example of hypocrisy from the education community.

Ken Hofrichter

Elk Grove Village