Wow, Ted, so many questions! OK. First of all, i do not have the previous contract at my fingertips, but i believe the increases were between 3.5-4% per year. If i am in error, i am sure you will correct me, and post documentation. The teachers are asking for 5-6%. That is just pure arrogance. THAT is what initially turned off the taxpayers. Even 4% is too much. Pay freeze, no firings.

We don't care what a state 'arbitrator' thinks. They do not pay the local taxes.

SB teachers are the lowest paid in the county? I guess someone has to be. Is that a reason for more money? I will try that with my boss and let you know how that turns out.

There is a lot more to a profession than salary. Competitive pay has many factors. I am sure that the city of Pgh pays their teachers a lot more. What are safe and pleasant working conditions worth? What is a supportive parent body worth? What is coming to school and teaching kids who WANT to learn worth? Don't thiese factors have value. I now they do to me. I could make a little more money working elsewhere, but my employer makes the working conditions pleasant enough that i don't mind making a few bucks less.

If teachers leave SB after 2 years, good riddance. They are in teaching for the wrong reason. You will not get rich teaching, but you will make a good living. Teachers at SB make a good living right now.

How much do i make per year. Not really relative, but if you must know, i have been working for my employer for 26 years and my salary is 57K. I have the ooprtunity to earn incentive bonuses, which this year will never happen thanks to the economy. So my pay is down over the previous years. I have long been a proponent of merit based bonus pay for teachers. The union has killed that idea at every turn. I know a lot of teachers at SB. Some are superb and deserve bonuses. Some are horrible and deserve to be fired. The union will protect the substandard, to the detriment of the exceptional.

I contribute 20% of the cost of medical coverage and 50% of the cost of dental coverage. That is $262/ month out of my pay.

I have a BS.

According to this link. Teachers are making a good buck. The highest YEARLY contribution to their health insurance is $240, which is less than my MONTHLY contribution.

This is not a good environment for teachers to be taking this stand. All they are doing is aggravating a large segment of the parents and other taxpayers. They do not enjoy much community support.

So Ted, what grade do you teach? ;)