Where I Stand: An exchange of ideas over pay request for teachers

Thursday, Sept. 25, 1997 | 10:21 a.m.

KNIGHT ALLEN is one of the most prolific and best informed letter writers to the SUN editor. Most recently he, in his own gentle way, came down on me for supporting the full 16 percent pay raise requested for beginning teachers. Also, I suggested the same requested increase be given to all classroom teachers if possible. Knight wrote:

"I've been mulling over your column supporting the teachers' 16 percent pay raise request and I just can't help thinking this is how we got into the mess we're in.

"Are teachers important? Is the work they do of great value to society? Sure. Should they be given 16 percent. Let's say 'yes.'

"But wait! What about police officers and firefighters? Aren't they also important? Don't they 'put their lives on the line' for society? Shouldn't they receive 16 percent? Certainly.

"How about nurses? Life-saving care every day. Sixteen percent for them? Sure.

"Now what about the support staff for these folks? Could the front-line people do their jobs without them? Aren't they also 'trained professionals'? Maybe they shouldn't get 16 percent, but we can't just 'snub' them, can we? Twelve percent? Fourteen percent? Sure.

"Where does that leave the 'rest' of government? Are you proposing a two-tiered system of compensation with some paid as valued 'professionals' and the rest as second-class employees? Can't do that, can we?

"See where this is going? By the time you've given everyone their pay raises at least 'comparable' to the teachers, government will be even further away from the people than it is now and it will then be time to negotiate new contracts with the teachers who, by then, will want 20 percent or 24 percent over the next two years.

"It's a sweet system, Mike. But not for the people who must foot the bill and suffer the consequences of living under a privileged government."

Knight really knows how to get to me when using firemen, policemen and nurses as examples. I've always recognized their important contributions to society and support their pay increases. They earn every cent they get and oftentimes much more.

Being that firemen, policemen and teachers are all public employees paid by taxpayers, their salaries are open for public scrutiny. So, if the beginning trained college graduate teacher in Clark County gets a 16 percent pay increase he or she will still be getting almost $7,000 a year less than a Clark County fireman after he graduates from 16 tough weeks of rookie school and is a step two firefighter. That's if the teacher is given an 8 percent raise in 1998 and another 8 percent in 1999 and if the firefighters don't get an increase.

Right now the beginning college-trained teacher gets almost $11,000 a year less than the Clark County fireman after he graduates from 16 weeks of training. Does the firefighter deserve his salary? Sure he does, but certainly the trained educators working with our children deserve to at least start with a pay scale that is only about $7,000 a year less. This slight move toward equity will only come about if the classroom teachers get an 8 percent increase this year and again next year.

Now that 16 percent for teachers doesn't sound a bit out of line, does it?

We may disagree on a few issues, but Knight is an excellent writer and is never short of ideas. His evaluation of legislative actions have been exceptionally interesting during recent years. His letters oftentimes are accompanied with valuable graphs and charts that he takes time to produce.

Oh yes, Knight also knows which of my buttons to push when writing a missile disagreeing with a column or editorial. This letter was no different when he used as examples some of my favorite people, including firemen, policemen and nurses.

For these reasons, I've shared my most recent Knight Allen letter with you.