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Legislature roundup, 1/9: Bill to enhance teacher compensation isn't cheap

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BY NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Jan 09, 2009 - 05:41:55 pm CST

Public school teachers would get a $1,000 state income tax credit under a bill that would cost the state more than $20 million each year.

“It’s a way of enhancing teacher compensation” in a state that ranks in the bottom 10 for teacher pay, said Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery, sponsor of the measure.

“This is not a cheap bill,” Avery said. “But when you are in economic hard times, you don’t quit trying to do good policy.”

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Sen. Bill Avery

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And the income tax credit — $1,000 for full-time teachers, $500 for part-time public school teachers — is less expensive than a full-fledged compensation package for teachers, he noted.

There will be other teacher pay proposals, Avery said. His bill (LB138) is simply the first to be introduced. 

“I thought it needed to be discussed. It might be a fall-back plan,” instead of a more expensive compensation package. Part of his goal is to “keep the conversation going” about the need to improve teacher pay.

Avery also referred to the recent controversy over administrative pay at Lincoln Public Schools, but said his bill was in the works before the discussion about administrators’ hidden benefits.

“At LPS we are quite generous to our administrators. If we can do that for administrators, we can do a better job with our teachers,” he said.

The following bills were among the measures introduced Friday.

* Motor vehicle homicide: Drivers found guilty of motor vehicle homicide would not be allowed to drive for at least one year and up to 15 years, under a bill (LB148) introduced by Omaha Sen. Pete Pirsch.

* Rename Mexican American Commission: The commission would become Commission on Hispanic-Americans, under LB139, sponsored by Avery. The commission name needs to be broadened to reflect the people it represents, Avery said.

* Full disclosure: State elected officials would have to disclose other jobs and their pay while they are campaigning and holding a statewide office. LB126 applies to the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, auditor and treasurer. 

The bill is similar to a measure introduced last year by Avery that was specifically aimed at State Treasurer Shane Osborn, who continued to work for an insurance brokerage firm after he was elected in 2006.

Last year’s bill, barring the state’s six constitutional officers from taking outside jobs, did not make it out of committee. This year Avery’s bill would require reporting of jobs, income and amount of time spent on that work.

* Seatbelts: Nebraska’s seatbelt law would become a primary offense, rather than a secondary offense. Now, Nebraskans cannot be cited for not buckling up unless officers also cite the driver for another law violation. That would change under LB106, offered by Scottsbluff Sen. John Harms, and police would be able to cite for seatbelt violations alone.

* Construction zones: The doubled fines for speeding in construction zones would apply only when workers were present, under a bill (LB111) by Sen. Deb Fischer of Valentine.  The speed limit signs in construction zones would also include the words “when workers are present.” 

Fischer, chair of the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, said she introduced the bill after constituents told her about frustrations with the changing speed limits and construction zones on I-80 between Lincoln and Omaha.

* Hallucinogenic drug: The Legislature may again consider whether to outlaw the hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum.

Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber introduced a bill (LB123) to ban the plant in Nebraska.

Recently, a Lincoln store owner stopped selling salvia. State officials had cited him for selling the plant at his store, Exotica. It’s not illegal to possess the plant in Nebraska, but officials said Christian Firoz violated a statute that prohibits the sale of substances that will be used to induce intoxication. He was set to go to trial later this month.

The plant can cause hallucinations within seconds after it’s smoked, licked or chewed.

A similar bill didn’t reach a final vote last year.

* Anthrax-livestock: Laws governing the reporting and containment of anthrax in Nebraska livestock might be updated this year.

State Sen. Tom Carlson of Holdrege introduced a bill (LB99) that specifies what a herd owner must do if an animal is infected. It could include quarantine, vaccinations and cleanup to prevent the spread of the disease.

The bill also would specify penalties for those who don’t correctly report anthrax infections.

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com. The Associated Press contributed to this story.


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CS wrote on January 9, 2009 6:42 pm:
" A whole 1000? Wow....thanks. Kind of like how they fund the VA every year too-with leftovers and promises. It's kind of hard to budget on that, you know. "
whatever wrote on January 10, 2009 4:49 am:
" Banning a plant? Let's ban cloudy days and cold weather too. Can we please find 49 first graders to take the place of our current Senators? "
Davey D wrote on January 10, 2009 7:34 am:
" Why just public school teachers? Why not all teachers? "
Reese wrote on January 10, 2009 7:36 am:
" Senator Avery notes that Nebraska teachers are in the bottom ten states in terms of salary. What he doesn't mention is that measurement does not include extra duty pay; pay for things like coaching, marching band, clubs, etc. that a great many teachers receive. The article also doesn't mention that Nebraska's wages and salaries as whole rank in the bottom five states when compared to the rest of the country. I'm not against teachers receiving more money, they perform an extremely important service, but I don't think this is the time for the state to spend $20 million dollars it doesn't have. "
Galen wrote on January 10, 2009 8:20 am:
" ...Or maybe you could lower the pay of Superitendants and other overpaid officals....then spread it around to the teachers. "
Thanks Senator wrote on January 10, 2009 8:52 am:
" Every little bit helps and anything we can do to recruit our best and brightest to the education profession is good news for Nebraska. Too many of our teachers are leaving our great state for higher pay and benefits almost anywhere else. Thanks Senator Avery for keeping the issue of competitive teacher pay alive....and thanks for continuing to point out the outlandish administrator salaries and benefits. "
BK wrote on January 10, 2009 10:49 am:
" Scrap the bandaid fixes - credit here/credit there.
Address the PROBLEM....flawed tax system and overspending with too much given to special interest groups. "
HAHAHA wrote on January 10, 2009 12:09 pm:
" Extra duty pay....hahahahaha. That pay doesn't come close to covering the hours spent doing the extra duty. Some of my best friends are teachers and I wouldn't even bother to do what they do for such a small amount. They are very dedicated. "
CS wrote on January 10, 2009 12:28 pm:
" Those bonus pay incentives only work for those teachers that are qualified to do it (coaching). You think babysitting the band pays well? Have you actually taught or are you just ignorant like most that have never taught or lived with a teacher, or gone to school to be a teacher?? Wages and salary as a whole doesn't address the issue either,does it? "
Bill wrote on January 10, 2009 1:36 pm:
" Let's do a breakdown on pay per hour. 9 month work schedule, fall break, christmas break, spring break, working 8-4, all weekends and holidays off for those not getting paid for the 'extra duties'. With all the time off they work less than 2/3 of a year. Compare their hourly pay to all of the other public employees who are the best and the brightest and put in really long hours to support the teaching mission. I would rather see all of the waste cut from the current LPS budget. Give half of the waste back to those paying property tax and the rest would be the only way teachers and ADMINISTRATORS get pay increase. You can bet your bottom dollar if it meant pay increases, they would certainly be able to cut the waste.

There is absolutely no reason that the same Arch plans cannot be used for every single new school. Why pay 1/2 a million dollars on design with each new school. Why are their assembly room instead of using the auditorium. Why theater and performing art rooms. Why not use the same area for all large assembly. "
CS wrote on January 10, 2009 4:22 pm:
" The hourly pay is divided by 12 months, not all of them have extra duties, they are mandated to be certified and take more college classes and have to pay for it (usually during all those breaks you mentioned), including graduate school, and teachers don't work 8-4 any more than auto workers make 70 dollars an hour.

As for theatre and performing arts rooms-that is the level of theatre and music being performed by HS level performers. Why shouldn't they have the experience expected of them to get scholarships to go to college and compete at that level? Why should only the stadium and gymnasium floor get all the money? "
To Bill wrote on January 10, 2009 5:32 pm:
" Seriously Bill?? If you think teachers only work 8-4 and don't spend any time during weekends, holiday breaks, and summers doing "nothing" than you are obviously ignorant and sadly mistaken in your view of public education. I don't remember the last time I started my day @ 8 and ended it at 4.... "
two things wrote on January 10, 2009 7:59 pm:
" First why only public school teachers? There pay is higher than private school teachers..... Also when you become a teacher and try to get your day done from 8 til 4 let me know. I think so many of you nonteachers think our day is 8-4 and go home and do nothing. OR vacation throughout Christmas and Spring and Summer. Well try going to workshops, college courses (I pay tuition for), grading papers, etc. I LOVE my job and love the kids and it is more of a career/vocation than it is a job. Please try it sometime and you will find great satisfaction teaching a child. I get up every morning happy and end my day fulfilled. This $1000 for public school teachers is good, it would be nice to see it for all teachers. But for now I will enjoy my job, less pay and be happy. "
TC wrote on January 10, 2009 8:29 pm:
" Teachers are paid enough it is the rest of the state that need's a raise "
Bob wrote on January 10, 2009 9:22 pm:
" I agree with Bill on quite a few of his points. Although I do agree there are very few 8-5 jobs/careers anymore. But: anyone who wants to move up in grade, stay certified, or be qualified to take another job has to take continuing education courses and pay for them on their own, not just teachers. If you don't want to move up, no one make you take the added courses. I don't know of any requirements for teachers to have Masters or post-graduate work.

Summers off is summer off. Work 9 months and get paid over 12, you're still off 3 months.

Theater and performing arts are a waste, why should it be my responsibility to help students get scholarship. And don't get me started on the athletic facilities. There is way too much emphasis on team sports at the high school and college level.

More time needs to be dedicated to the basics. Why do students in the US test so far below the rest of the world in math and science? Why is the graduation rate for LPS declining?

I like the idea; find the waste in the budgets and you can use it for salaries. But, administrators get no bigger percentage than the teachers, maintenance, custodial, clerical, paras, kitchen staff, etc. "
Skeptic wrote on January 11, 2009 11:18 am:
" Don't believe misleading teacher pay rankings! After factoring in cost of living advantages and much better working conditions (i.e., smaller class sizes, etc) Nebraska's teachers are more than adequately compensated. If that were not the case, it would be difficult to fill open positions---however, the Dept of Education's survey demonstrates that is NOT the case. Remember this: higher teacher pay means either higher property taxes and/OR higher income/sales taxes! "
CS wrote on January 11, 2009 11:35 am:
" Whereever did you hear that, Bob? One of your education hating friends? If you don't continue to take classes in your area of certification, you are not allowed to continue teaching and your certification lapses, just like any other professional license. Eventually that ends up being a Master's degree, and any college class after your Bachelor's is priced as post graduate credit which costs more-a LOT more. Your ideas on the arts are sad-the web page you are viewing was designed, in part, by a graphic design or graphic art major-and I sincerely hope you don't watch any TV or listen to the radio either, so as not to pollute your mind with all that worthless performing arts crap. "
ted wrote on January 11, 2009 11:40 am:
" These kind of economically stupid ideas are what you get when you elect college professors to the legislature. I should know because I have worked with them for 30 years. Bad idea wrong time. "
Max A wrote on January 11, 2009 1:39 pm:
" To all of you who complain about teachers only working 9 months a year and getting paid for 12, you are so wrong! During those 3 months off, most teachers are going to school, going to workshops, and are working on new and different teaching methods to help your child learn. They are also attending mandatory trainings at school,during the summer. Many teachers also work other jobs in the summers, to make ends meet. I dare any of you to follow a teacher for a month, to see what it's like to be in their shoes. Yes, I said a month, so that you can see and hear what teachers have to put up with from parents, students and administrators alike. Instead of complaining, you all should be determining what you, as parents can do, to motivate your child and to enhance your child's learning. You should be thanking the teacher's for doing their best to educate your child, instead of complaining. "
Hopefully a Teacher Someday... wrote on January 11, 2009 1:41 pm:
" Has anyone checked into how much the new superintendant at North Platte Public Schools is making... I am not sure how much, but from everything I have over heard, he is making just as much if not more than the one who just left.

Thank you teachers for working more than 8-4 and 9 months of the year! My spelling is still not the greatest, but it is better than ever because you would spend the time AFTER 4 PM and BEFORE 8 AM helping me! Thanks for spending your summers getting ready for the next school year!! Your dedication never ceases to amaze me!!

Unfortunately, when I finish my schooling, I will be going out of state for a teaching position...I will not be able to afford to pay back my student loans or live on the amount of money some 1st year teachers are making ($25,000 or less-before extra duties in the western end of the state). "
Chip wrote on January 11, 2009 1:49 pm:
" "More time needs to be dedicated to the basics. Why do students in the US test so far below the rest of the world in math and science? Why is the graduation rate for LPS declining?"

Just a question . . . does the rest of the world test kids who just learned their language or kids with special needs? I wonder how many kids in Japan just learned to speak Japanese before they were tested in Japanese. "
unedinne wrote on January 11, 2009 2:05 pm:
" Boy you folks who think its easy being a teacher and thinking they work 8 to 4 have a number of things wrong with your thinking process

Auto workers only have to show up and assemble a car or truck. They are NOT taking care of everyones little darlings (ELD's) and making sure everyone has a chance at education. I am not sure how many on the assembly line are ebven high school grads.....

My grandfather was an 8th grade dropout and a boilermaker during the days of steam locomotives.... he even commented 30 yrs ago how he admired teachers

So you anti education folks, ya I understand your issues with property taxes and Ms Gourley, but for God's sake, get OFF the teachers back

Where did YOU all got to school????? "
Whatever wrote on January 11, 2009 2:16 pm:
" Teachers seem to think that they are the only ones in the world that work extra hours outside of 8-4. Get real. Most salaried employees are expected to work more and more hours beyond the 40 hour work week. Putting in the exta effort leads to salary increases. It's called merit pay. Oh, and by the way, most of us don't get 2+ months off for the entire summer. "
What wrote on January 11, 2009 2:19 pm:
" Help me understand why doing a tax credit couldn't be applied to parochial school teachers as well. That's descrimination! Most parochial school teachers get paid even less than the public school teachers. It would be interesting if all of the parochial schools decided to shut their doors for a year. How do you think the public schools would handle that? Parochial school teachers deserve the same tax break. "
Bottom Line wrote on January 11, 2009 2:21 pm:
" The bottom line is that most of us cannot arbitrarily increase our income. We can only control what we spend. Perhaps the public school systems ought to consider that and get rid of the UN-NEEDED overhead and admin that does nothing to contribute to the education of our kids. Spend less! "
Big Red Redneck wrote on January 11, 2009 2:53 pm:
" Oh my, here we go again with the recurring drivel and sob stories about our "dedicated, underpaid, overworked"teachers. Well, folks, all of this claptrap is obviously leading up to another big-time raid on your bank accounts by the bandits and scam artists in the education establishment. So, good people, you might as well sit back and enjoy the fleecing you are about to undergo. "
Dave wrote on January 11, 2009 4:24 pm:
" Teachers are a bargain, consider if they were only paid baby sitting wages say $4 an hour.
10 Kids $40 ph
20 Kids $80 ph
and they wouldn't have to teach them a thing. "
Galen wrote on January 11, 2009 4:45 pm:
" Schools grab too much of our tax dollars the way it is. Our local district has decided to add girls softball this coming fall. Just what we need MORE spending. We need to cut spending, cut pet programs, and improve the schools before we raise wages. "
state employee wrote on January 11, 2009 4:58 pm:
" I'm all for giving teachers more pay but I don't think state money should be used to do it. The state can't even pay decent wages to the front line staff caring for our severely developmentally disabled citizens at BSDC (wages of $11.13/hour to start), our behaviorally challenged residents at the Regional Centers (wages of $10.94/hour to start) or our veterans at the state Veterans Homes (wages of $9.84/hour to start). The state money should first be used to pay decent salaries to these extremely hard-working employees doing thankless jobs. "
Babysitters wrote on January 11, 2009 6:09 pm:
" Dave, Thanks...I think some teachers would love to make babysitting wages...and they might possibly still teach students:
$4 per kid per hour
7.5 hours a day
10 kids
180 school days
$54,000 a year "
Heard It All Before wrote on January 11, 2009 7:36 pm:
" Years ago, I heard the late Senator Terry Carpenter expound on why school teachers should be kept out of the legislator at all costs. I wish I could share the hilarious, salty comments of "Terrible Terry," but the politically-correct Journal Star would undoubtedly not permit such honest expression. Now, with Jim Avery acting as the stooge for the education lobby, Carpenter's warning is as relevant today as it was way back when. "
Les wrote on January 11, 2009 8:13 pm:
" I wish I made as much as a LPS teacher and only had to work 9 months of out of a year. "
Sick of the complainers wrote on January 11, 2009 8:52 pm:
" To all you whiners about how teachers don't deserve more pay and they get summers off: If the job is so great, then get hired on to be a teacher. But I don't have a bachelor's degree and a state license to teach, you say? Maybe you already have a good-paying job in the private sector and wouldn't dream of giving that up for lousy teacher pay. Or maybe you can't imagine spending your work day dealing with a bunch of other people's kids? Whatever your reason is for not being a teacher, it is within your control to take the steps to meet the requirements to become one. If you can't afford college or wouldn't want to do the job, then you can no longer complain about how great it is being a teacher, now can you? This bill is a small step in the right direction for Nebraska. Thanks Senator Avery! "
HZ wrote on January 11, 2009 9:19 pm:
" After my first year of teaching, I figured up a conservative estimate of the hours I spent. I taught seven different classes each day, meaning that I had to prepare seven different lessons and correct seven different sets of papers. As a high school English teacher, I would often be reading a couple of chapters each from six different books each night. It was not uncommon for me to arrive at school at 7:30 a.m. and not leave until 6 p.m. After grabbing something to eat at home, I would then continue working on school work until I went to bed. The weekends were often spent trying to create new lessons. At a VERY CONSERVATIVE estimate of 11 hours per day over my 186 day contract, that totals 2046 hours. Someone working a full-time job over the course of an entire year (52 weeks minus a standard two-week vacation) spends 2000 hours working. So, in my first 9 months as a teacher, I worked more hours than someone else works in a full year. And I made less than $25,000 with my bachelor's degree.

Now in my fifth year of teaching, I'm trying to limit the amount of time that I dedicate to my job. I have to try and tell myself that the stress isn't worth it; I have a family, and my job doesn't pay well compared to other professional jobs in the state of Nebraska. Several times I've considered leaving for another career (as many teachers do within the first five years of teaching in Nebraska). Perhaps when I get burned out by spending so much time working during the school year, then spending money I don't have to take additional classes during the summer, I'll decide to quit teaching. Essentially, that's what happens: a few excellent teachers never burn out and continue to provide children with creative lessons and a passion for learning; many once excellent teachers do burn out and move on to less-stressful, higher-paying jobs; and many mediocre teachers stay in the profession until retirement, only putting into teaching what they're able to get out of it. Is that what people want to be left with? A school comprised mainly of mediocre teachers who have learned to limit themselves? Teachers aren't asking for six-figure paychecks; we'd just like a salary that is more comparable to our professional peers. With that said, I'd better get back to my lesson plans. "
Outstate Commentary wrote on January 11, 2009 9:25 pm:
" With all of the anguish expressed in these postings about overworked, underpaid teachers having to spend their summers going back to school and getting more "education" and degrees (to pull down more $$$, of course), I'm reminded of what a friend (a "special education" teacher) told me a few years ago when I asked her if her two degrees was necessary to teach "special education." Her reply, "For the Mickey Mouse stuff I'm doing, I could be a high school dropout and do just as well." By the way, she certainly wasn't complaining about the paycheck she was receiving for doing the "Mickey Mouse stuff." "
COME ON wrote on January 11, 2009 9:37 pm:
" This bill is a pacifier to shut up teachers who complain about their pay. In the long run, this bill would only push their wages further from a competetive amount. Look at the states surrounding us. Everyone is feeling the pinch of a hard economy but Kansas, Iowa, Colorado, and Wyoming all have higher wages for their teachers. I think that this bill is better than nothing but teachers deserve more. Yours truly, an auto mechanic. "
Nope wrote on January 11, 2009 10:14 pm:
" Completely against any more money for teachers, or anything going to LPS. If the ultra-liberal Sen. Avery wants more money for teachers, then he can write a check or ask for the tobacco/alcohol tax to be increased. Or perhaps, here's a novel idea, decrease the Admin costs to LPS and give money to the teachers and taxpayers! Teachers and their Union are one and the same, "give us more taxpayer money, it's for the children", LOL!

Keep your greedy hands out of my pockets, I already give you 64% of my property tax dollars! "
Fed up with the whining. wrote on January 11, 2009 10:23 pm:
" Who cares if Nebraska is the 10th lowest in teacher pay. The state ranks the fourth lowest in cost of living. Lets start comparing apples to apples. If they want to pack up their families and move somewhere else where they'll make more money, then so be it. Good riddance. There will be someone else in line for their job, with just as good of qualifications. "
Terry wrote on January 12, 2009 3:50 am:
" Those that can do those that can't do teach.They never work a full month without time off let alone the whole summer off and are always crying for more tax money. If they need more money they need to try to make it at a differant type of work. "
Just a thought... wrote on January 12, 2009 7:55 am:
" ...about why this will not apply to private school teachers. My guess is that since your salaries are not funded by tax dollars you will not get the tax credit. If you want a raise, raise tuition. If public school teachers want a raise, they raise taxes. This is exactly what will happen if this tax credit goes into effect, the money will have to come from somewhere. It doesn't even make sense to me to think that private school teachers need to be in on this tax credit when your salaries are not even funded by tax dollars. You can't have your cake and eat it too. "
Make em earn it wrote on January 12, 2009 8:13 am:
" What ever happened to merit pay increases? That's the way the rest of the real world works. Stomp out the teachers unions and tie pay to results.....then we'll see a turnaround. Do the teachers unions exist to look out for our kids or the teachers? "
MarkyMark wrote on January 12, 2009 8:22 am:
" Like my old Pappy used to say, "you get what you pay for, son.". "
To HZ wrote on January 12, 2009 8:54 am:
" Just an FYI regarding annual working hours -- I commend you on your 2049 hours, I guess, but in all the salary earing work I've seen, 2080 hours is the formulaic amount used when figuring per hour earnings. "
BR wrote on January 12, 2009 8:54 am:
" I'm a CPA. When I work 70 hours a week during tax season, I don't get paid extra. I have to pay for continuing education to keep my license active. My friends who teach have always made more money than me. One of them teaches 7 students and makes over $60,000 a year. What's underpaid about that? "
ignorant wrote on January 12, 2009 8:59 am:
" well CS teach us don't lambast us, earn your pay. I too know a teacher who coaches and teaches a summer course, I know all the hours he puts in and wouldn't want his job either. I do have to say that teaching is like social services if you're going into the field for the money, you had better think again. Thanks for your dedication to your job and profession. "
private or public wrote on January 12, 2009 10:25 am:
" Private or public.... I guess this tax deduction does not mean that much to me. I love my job at the private school. I would not trade my job to go to the public school. Having faith brought to students is much more rewarding than $1000. Remember there is no luggage rack on the hearse so you cant take it with you....so enjoy your job whatever it may be and enjoy every day. "
Silly senator wrote on January 12, 2009 10:40 am:
" I am not going to judge whether or not teachers deserve any further compensation above what they currently get. I will say that the compensation should stay with the local authorities not the state. Further, tax exemptions and credits are cheap legislative tricks intended to pander to specific constituencies, they tend to create 'haves' and 'have nots' and a sense of entitlement. Once given they are nearly impossible to be removed and increase the unfairness of the tax system. If the teachers require additional remuneration, give them more pay and leave the tax structure alone. "
Hmm wrote on January 12, 2009 10:43 am:
" Teacher pay is the least of the problems with our public education system. The whole system needs to be overhauled. Throwing a $1,000 tax credit at them, is like handing a band-aid to someone who just got their arm chopped off.

We need to pay them more like professionals, but we also need to hold them more accountable like professionals. Your pay shouldn't be based solely on seniority and who can coach the most after-school activities.

Let's truly reward the best teachers who are dedicated and engaged. And let's get rid of the ones who "checked out" a long time ago, and just show up every year so they get summers off.

It's sad to see so many people responding to this story who have no idea what teachers really do or how much time some of them spend on their jobs.

We have an obligation to fund public education. So stop crying about how your taxes might go up. Everything else goes up in price over time, why wouldn't your taxes??!

If you want to keep 100% of your money, go buy yourself an island. Otherwise, you're part of a society. And that society has costs, including education, public safety, etc. We pay for these things through taxes.

We can't keep pretending that these things don't ever go up in cost, and that we should be seeing decreases every year on our taxes. It's a ridiculous sentiment.

We can't keep underfunding all these things, and then wonder why test scores are low, why cashiers at retail and restaurant establishments can't make change, why people under the age of 20 have no idea who major historical figures are, etc.

You get what you pay for.

You want cheap taxes, then you get cheap education and a society of morons.

No thanks! "
since when wrote on January 12, 2009 10:44 am:
" Since when do teachers make $60,000?? Obviously not in my little town of class C or D schools, and definitely not in the private schools. Wow!! But I also look at the fact I could never be a CPA and crunch numbers. Hats off to you CPA's!! I would hope you could praise a teacher since somewhere along the line you had to go to school and be taught by someone to get your CPA degree. Congrats "
dont forget benefits wrote on January 12, 2009 11:06 am:
" Yes...you have to pay for additional education but you are also then compensated for that expense by recieving a bump on the pay scale. Don't for get you also receive insurnace and a great pension plan. I am against the bill because I don't see how teachers are any more important than any other employee in Nebraska. If Nebraska stinks so bad for pay, go to another state! Maybe if you used your planning periods properly you wouldn't have to work outside your scheduled hours. "
CS wrote on January 12, 2009 11:09 am:
" Just for clarification, Ig-I am not a teacher. I grew up with teachers, majored in Education (vocal music) for 3 years, and have many friends that currently teach at the elementary, secondary, and post HS level. I saw the economics of it and changed majors my Junior year. My wife student taught and then realized how political things were in the Omaha school districts and changed her major, adding a year to her college diploma. While I don't teach, I don't speak from complete ignorance either. "
dangerous job wrote on January 12, 2009 11:15 am:
" I know teachers are important to society but if they are warranted a "credit" what about more danerous jobs like law enforcement. Have you ever looked at Nebraska pay compared to nation-wide? "
tim wrote on January 12, 2009 12:09 pm:
" thats all fine, but how about giving every tax payer $1000 credit that earns less than the average wage of NE teachers. why are public teachers placed in their own category? let's talk equity amongst all tax payers. "
thank you Hmm wrote on January 12, 2009 12:10 pm:
" You said it!!! It does not matter public/private, tax refund or not, you get what you pay for. I would not want my children being taught by someone who does not care for their job, just shows up. I want quality education and yes it costs. Thank you for your comment!!! Teachers I applaud you for your time!! "
whatever wrote on January 12, 2009 5:08 pm:
" Call me crazy, but I know some teachers that are quite satisfied with their incomes and find the belief they are "underpaid" quite laughable. Having said that I think it is apparent we have hit a critical mass in this state where money simply isn't the only issue anymore. And it's not a lack of culture or "things to do". Nebraska's leadership the past 20 years or so has made many mistakes that have harmed small businessmen, small towns, small schools, small farmers and have instead made policy decisions that favor large agribusiness entities and multinational corporations to the detriment of the quality of life in this state. Over 20 years ago I made a decision to stay in Nebraska and raise a family. Fortunately I found the "right" town and "right" school. But the number of viable "right" towns and "right" schools have rapidly declined the past 10 years. Lincoln once a fine city is clearly in severe decline and decay. Omaha at least is a vibrant and growing community as are a couple of other towns in this state but by and large people are leaving because the business, social and political environment are almost intolerable and any enlightened leadership is completely absent. Look at the priority bills some senators are introducing and it's almost laughable. With God's good grace I'll be in a position to leave this state as I prepared for this economic crisis a few years ago and will be able to afford to leave with very deep sorrow. The situation can be salvaged but not with the leadership in place in this state. "
teachers union up to no good again wrote on January 12, 2009 5:45 pm:
" Here comes the mighty teacher's union bribing another legislative official to get more of our tax money. Sorry, LPS already has a massive budget. If you want to pay your staff more, then cut from your bloated budget. In case you have been living under a rock for the last year, the economy is in recession, that means every tax increase (yes even if you divert taxes to this it is a tax increase) hurts the overall economy. Make cuts, give your staff a raise from that. No more money from the taxpayers. "
Chip wrote on January 12, 2009 8:02 pm:
" Wow Terry! Evidently you didn't listen to your teachers. Your punctuation is horrible "
Some highlights from my overpaid life in teaching wrote on January 12, 2009 10:40 pm:
" Things that I have dealt with in my job as an overpaid teacher lately:

*Friday, a student almost vomited on me in my classroom. She had become violently ill and I had to take care of her and see that she got safely to the office. (I'm sure in the CPA office, the one commenter frequently deals with his co-workers medical emergencies and risks being held liable if something goes wrong??)

*Over the Christmas break, a parent called me at home requesting that I come to school to help her son complete make-up work. This is nothing new, as I get roughly 10-20 calls at home a semester, especially on weekends. (Of course, I have no doubt that when you all have problems with your cars, you call those previously mentioned auto workers at home for help).

*I had to argue with the secretary in charge of substitutes today in order to get a day off to attend my aunt's funeral this week. There is a set in stone policy that only a certain number of teachers can be gone for planned absences on a given day and on that particular day, several will be with one class on a field trip. (I'm sure that all of you have NO vacation days to use for personal time like this and only get TWO personal days a year subject to your boss's approval after you give him/her specific details as to why you need that time off, or alternatively have been able to successfully schedule all family emergencies and deaths during your pre-arranged vacation time--I know that I am normally much more careful to be certain that my relatives die or become ill only in the summer).

*I spent my plan time today making substitute plans because (like all of you, I am certain), if I cannot be at work, I have to plan every minute of the day for someone else to carry out. Even if I am sick.

*When I get home, I get to be entertained by online discussions of why I am overpaid and my job is not stressful or difficult. That is easier on the days when I do not almost get vomited on.

* "
More thoughts about my overpaid teaching position wrote on January 13, 2009 9:48 am:
" *We have meetings that start at 7:30 in the morning. I just can't tell my administrator I can't be there because my day is 8-4.

*We have IEP's for students that start at 3:45 and usually end at 4:30. I can't tell the parent at 4 I have to leave because my day is 8-4.

*We have students who need extra help completing assignments. I can't tell the parent I only work Monday-Friday, 8-4 and their student will just have to fail class.

*I can't tell the students it is not my problem you do not have access to a computer outside of school (our public library does not have one and I have a full lab of students half of the school day).

If I said any of these thing to my administration, fellow staff members, parents, or students more than likely YOU (taxpayers) would be yelling for my head on a silver platter because "I am not completing my job and helping the students understand concepts and pass their classes". I would like to know, how am I supposed to grade (on average) 30 papers a day; create lesson plans; create worksheets, test, and other items for class; make the needed copies (my school does not have anyone to do that for me); go to the necessary meetings (IEP's, staff, etc); and still teach students during my 8-4, Monday-Friday, 9 months of the year job? Just think, I am a regular education teacher!

What about those Special Education teachers?!? My mother, a Special Education teacher, has 15 IEP's to write (average 15-20 pages, each), lesson plans, and grades to complete. Her students are at various levels of functioning. For example, she will have one student working on counting, another adding single digit numbers, and another subtracting - her lesson plans for each subject might contain 3 or 4 "mini" lesson plans. During her planning period, if something comes up with her students, she is the one who has to take care of it. If she is lucky enough, she might be having an IEP meeting or another meeting dealing with her students during that planning period. Tell me, how is she supposed to get her job completed from 8-4?

I agree, that in some places, too much emphasis is placed on sports and other activities outside of the classroom. But I look at it this way for those places with a healthy balance of school and "extras": Where else can a student learn (before entering the job market) about teamwork, time management, meeting deadlines, etc? To those who say these "extras" are a waste: I hope you are working by yourself, for yourself and you are not watching TV, any sporting event, looking through the paper, etc. All those people had to get a start somewhere...and more than likely, that was from a school. The classroom can only go so far - for some of these students, they would be drop-outs if they didn't have a sense of belonging by taking part in these activities.

I don't have my job for the money, it is for the kids. But, for those of you complaining about us "overpaid, under worked" teachers: walk a mile in our shoes. Heck, just walk around in them for a quarter of a mile...then you might just receive a full understanding of what really goes on from 8-4, Monday-Friday, 9 months of the year. "
Alan wrote on January 13, 2009 1:04 pm:
" Great idea, create another class of taxpayers and more resentment towards LPS at the same time. Most workers in Nebraska are underpaid compared to other states. What makes teachers so special? "
if you dont like it leave wrote on January 13, 2009 1:17 pm:
" To those of you teachers complaining about your extra hours or low pay, go get another job. Not everyone does a job because of the pay, they do so because they love it. The problem is that your salaries are paid by the taxpayer and your union continues to bribe lawmakers to get you extra money while showing no extra benefit. The taxpayers see money wasted on new computers every year, new texbooks every year, new buildings or additions for spurious activities, massive raises for administrators who watch the graduation rate slip, and many other wasted funds. Here is a hint, go to your union bosses and tell them to argue with the administration over the pieces of the pie you already get, don't come to ma and pa taxpayer with your hands out. The economy is in recession, that means we all have less money, stealing more from us will not help. "
Sean wrote on January 13, 2009 10:15 pm:
" How bout when Teachers actually "teach" the kids and the test scores actually show results rather than showing being behind and low scores...then this might make sense. Everyone is suffering. No need to hand out cash right now. "
Not complaining wrote on January 14, 2009 10:37 am:
" I haven't read one comment on here from teachers complaining. The only complaining comes from the ignorant, misguided taxpayers. Every teacher that has commented on here has said very specifically they don't do it for the money; they do it because they love what they do.

As a former high school teacher, I decided I didn't love it and got out. One of the reasons I didn't love it is because of all the extra time I had to devote. Trust me when I say that between creating lesson plans for the different subjects I taught in Texas (Senior English, AP Senior English, speech and theatre), reading and grading papers--many of which were essays that took A LOT of time--writing and grading tests and worksheets, helping students out of class, holding auditions and planning and attending rehearsals, taking tickets at football games etc. etc. etc., I can guarantee you I put in 12 months worth of work hours within that nine-month period. As for holidays and summers off, you better believe I took them off. It was the only time I got to see my family!

What makes teachers so special? Each and every one of you on here with your resentment and complaints has the ability to do all that you do because of a teacher. There is no more important profession in the world! Everything starts with an education. And education starts with a teacher. "
CS wrote on January 14, 2009 11:45 am:
" Teachers themselves have little say in what textbooks they use in their classrooms or the cost of them. They get a list of approve curriculae and that is what they have to choose from. The computers are the same way-they are on a schedule for replacement-it's not like the teachers can individually go out and buy computers. My 9 year old son is learning computing on an 8 year old Imac-that is the most advanced computer I have seen other than the ones in the office that maintain the records in the whole school. He already goes beyond what they can show him to do because of our involvement at home. Maybe if the teachers COULD make some of their own decisions you'd see improvement. Right now they just teach to NCLB and IF they have any time left over they might actually stroke a neuron here or there. "

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