Letter: Future threatened by low pay for teachers

Sunday, June 11, 2006 | 7:33 a.m.

I am absolutely appalled to learn that beginning Clark County School District teachers only make $33,000 per year. When I graduated from college as a registered nurse, salaries for nurses and teachers were similar. Thirty years later, registered nurses' starting salaries are approximately $22 per hour, or $41,000 per year.

This is considering that the new nurse works a normal 36-hour week with no overtime (three 12-hour shifts). Granted, teachers usually work a 10-month contract, but considering the extra 10 hours per week they put in for preparation, this equates to approximately $15 per hour. Dedication and a desire to help future generations will not get the bills paid!

My children are nearly finished with school, but they have had an excellent public education. I fear for the future of quality instruction for Nevada children if teachers continue to be so grossly underpaid.

I can tell you what Gov. Kenny Guinn should propose to do with the state budget surplus: The state should immediately give all Nevada teachers, including beginning teachers, a $10,000 per year raise, to bring them up to a close-to-reasonable salary.

How long will talented and dedicated individuals continue to enter a profession that dooms them to near-poverty? Do we really want our teachers selling shoes and waiting tables when they leave our children for the day, or spending quality time grading papers, preparing their lessons and resting up so they can devote themselves fully to our future citizens?

Gail Rattigan, Henderson