Letter: Abysmal pay for teachers has big consequences

Friday, Oct. 22, 2004 | 9:41 a.m.

An old adage states, "You get what you pay for." This could not be truer for the state of public education in Nevada. For years the public has taken the cheap road when it comes to paying competent teachers a quality, livable wage. Each time the Legislature met, raises designated for teachers were also earmarked for administrators already making salaries equal to major business and casino executives.

The public, through their legislators, have chosen the cheap road for teacher pay with pitiful raises barely equal to the cost-of-living index. With the rapid increase in the cost of housing, many teachers are barely able to afford living in this community.

The state of Nevada provides an embarrassing minimal funding for textbooks, consumable materials, laboratory supplies and technical and multi-media equipment. Dedicated teachers continue to spend their own money to supplement programs for their students.

Competent teachers with many years of loyal service in this state are departing education in large numbers. Younger teachers entering the profession tend to leave by their fifth year. Even teachers certified as highly competent under the No Child Left Behind federal mandate have not been rewarded financially.

Younger teachers rush to apply for open administrative positions because of the higher pay available. The result is a high turnover rate of teachers and younger, less experienced administrators assuming roles of responsibility -- with no net improvement in education. The consequences of this foolishness will be felt by children of this state for many years to come.

VIRGIL A. SESTINI

Editor's note: The writer is a retired science teacher.