Can't afford a big raise for teachers
OMG. It's time for District 211 teacher negotiations again.
It seems like only yesterday we received those letters from the teachers giving us our children's schedules for the next semester and on the other side of the page, veiled threats, listing all the classes that would be cut unless we taxpayers approved a property tax increase.
This effort continued with a massive house-to-house effort by the teachers, trying to convince us the tax hike was "for the kids" and not for them. Right. And pigs fly. Millions of dollars that could have gone to the teachers, was spent on artificial turf at all the high schools, instead. It appears the teachers aren't the only ones who need a reality check.
So, here we go again. Salary-benefits negotiations will soon begin. The teachers union will demand even more money. If history has taught us anything, the school board and district will collapse and my taxes will go up again.
But, before they do, I hope they understand the position in which they are placing me and the many like me. I'm retired. My Social Security is $20,000 per year before taxes.
Last year, my property taxes were $6,900. And 62 percent of that went to our school districts (211 and 15). My recent assessment increased 47 percent; we have a county and township that could care less about cutting expenses and there is no more relief in sight for me.
Now the poor teachers are going to tell us about all the sacrifices they make, claim poverty and wind up with even more of my money. Money I cannot afford to give them.
Having experienced two kids going K-12 right here in Palatine, I can tell you there are some teachers who are still greatly underpaid. But, in all fairness, I also have to say that there are many, many more who are over paid for the results they are getting. My question is, when are the taxpayers going to take control and install a merit system for pay raises and dump this system of rewarding everyone, including the mediocre and incompetent?
Len Brauer
Palatine