Unemployment is nearly 9 percent; the economy continues to contract; GM is bankrupt; New Frontier Bank’s collapse continues to plague all of Northern Colorado; and the Greeley teachers’ union (GEA) wants more than a 10 percent increase in teachers’ overall compensation including pay raises, retirement contributions and additional funding for health care premiums.

Furthermore, at 66 percent, Greeley Evans District 6 graduation rates are below state average and those of most neighboring districts.    And based on what I saw at Greeley Central’s graduation that percentage won’t go up next year.  District 6 also suffers from below average CSAP scores.  However teacher pay is above those of neighboring disticts.  In December 2007  the Greeley Tribune reported: “District 6 teacher pay had ranked in line with Fort Collins, Loveland and Longmont, but under the new agreement Greeley-Evans’ beginning and maximum salaries…will top neighboring districts…Additionally, with teacher pay in 2006-07 at an average of $47,866, District 6 exceeded the state average of $46,973 that year. ”

In fall 2008 a top tier teacher in District 6 could make over $80,000 per year.  With a 185 day contract, that’s nearly $433 per day.  Not bad pay!  That doesn’t even count the most generous, albeit insolvent, retirement program in the state PERA Colorado.   All of this is on the taxpayers’ dime.

A 10 percent increase in teachers’ compensation is unrealistic in today’s economy.  But it isn’t just teachers.  The administration is bloated.  We have a six figure mouthpiece because our Superintendent making nearly $210,000 doesn’t have time to talk with the press.  No wonder the district wants a mill levy override (pipe dream).

Much of this might not matter if we were graduating well-educated kids.  As it stands right now, we are barely graduating mediocre students.

Here’s a lesson that District 6 should take to heart.  In tough economic times, don’t ask people who are either making less than you are to shell out more of their hard earned money for marginal results.  It’s not a successful business model.  Too bad the delivery of public education isn’t more like a business.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 1st, 2009 at 5:53 pm and is filed under K-12 education, New Frontier Bank, labor unions, taxes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.