"If I was still in the military, I would salute the President, but would refuse to shake Mr. Obama's hand."

However, you would have still saluted the position. These jokers in Las Vegas couldn't even "Man Up" to do that - they are a bunch of self-serving weaselly smegheads, and should all be run out on a rail.

Although I didn't vote for Mayor Goodman (notice I did use her proper title - hint hint gotp-ers), I give her kudos for showing up and beginning the fence mending needed after her dimwitted husband screwed us over.

"apparently people have trouble distinguishing a news article from an opinion column."

That's because they are so used to Fox "News" calling the bats**t they present "news." Those of us with working brain cells know the difference...

Killer B: I interpreted the writer to mean the state appeals court."

That's your fault. The rest of us "Clueless" folk apparently know what the letter was talking about, once we read the name of the candidate, and applied our knowledge of civics.

It seems Mr. Hill just has a grudge against the CCEA, since all he can claim is that the union has "Failed." As I see it, the CCEA position is twofold: First, This school board is trying to eliminate benefits from teachers for no other reason than to enrich specific people within the administration. They are attempting to take teachers out of their own non-profit health plan and force them into their corporate plan with the for-profit united healthcare. speaking directly with representatives from the company, one will find that they would have increase premiums by 60%, in order to provide the same healthcare that the teachers currently enjoy. This does not sound like trying to save money, but collect a finder's fee.

Second, the district has cried poor, and threatens to cut 1100 teachers, but so far this year, they have hired over 700 new teachers (in addition to over a thousand teachers brought in on a one time grant). The district has also hired dozens upon dozens of consultants and "academic managers" with salaries that are at least twice what teachers make. This does not seem like the actions of a district in a cash crunch.

I guess laying out one's position and steadfastly defending it is Mr. Hill's idea of failure. If that's the case, I hope CCEA keeps failing.

We have given up enough - time, money out of pocket, control, creativity. No more, We are professionals and specialists. Let us teach.

Jon, you are so right.

As a teacher, I believe that if I were to run for state Assembly next time around, I would likely win both the primary and the general election. I could then resign from the school district and put myself "Up for bid," to private industries to hire me. The best salary and benefits package offered, would gain my services. Amazingly, I would have the consider the needs of my new employer, when it came to issues affecting them. As we have all seen, no one employed by mining or gaming or nearly any other industry abstains from voting on bills affecting their particular line of employment.

Whether you think it's right or wrong, NPRI has long held the view that public service jobs should be non-existent. Try and prove otherwise, I dare you. Because of what they believe is anti public sector sentiment, they now are trying to remove one of the greatest elements of society - the citizen-legislator. Apparently, teachers, janitors, clerks, cashiers and the like should not be allowed to help determine the direction and shape of democracy, yet it would be perfectly ok for the governor or legislators to work for the mining or gaming or construction industries, because there is no conflict of interest there(hint of sarcasm). The answer is clear: form a private foundation for public workers who serve public office, and allow the to take leave from that state job or teaching job. Then, when their term is over, they return to their previous job.

Then watch as Jon Ralston and the NPRI whine and rant about unfairness and conflict of interest...to deaf ears.

"Do I have to post the research on this all over again?"

No, Patrick, no one wants to see your BS "data" anymore...

If she is convicted of the crimes, the CCEA will most likely not stand in the way of her termination, since it is part of the negotiated contract.

However, I'm sure anyone here would hate to be fired from their job, just on accusation, so once due process is followed, such as investigating the allegation that she stole school property, other actions will be recommended.

It would be unwise for the district to fire someone, then have to quietly pay a hefty settlement because the teacher was acquitted of any wrongdoing (it's happened twice in the last couple of years - BIG bucks). I imagine a suspension or leave, pending the outcome, then a short dismissal hearing if she is found to have violated the contract (which would be the basis for termination)

Leric must think that it's the teacher's responsibility to put the pen in the kid's hand, and write the tests and notes for them.

perhaps if some parents spent more time worrying about why their kid didn't do their work, instead of complaining that the teacher can't teach. I have a sign on the door in my room, and I point it out to students and parents alike:

"If you didn't get the grade you wanted, I didn't get the work I wanted." Simple as that.

You sure talk a lot, Joseph....

Don't say much....

But you sure talk a lot.....

"You are also missing the very important 2008 to 2009 change, as their was a significant increase to the CCSD teacher pay scale between those years."

So as long as we were employed BEFORE 2009, you insist there was a "significant" pay raise. First, How many teachers currently teaching were employed BEFORE 2009? Next, since you claim your "facts on a step 7 teacher, what is the average length of service in CCSD for teachers? and what is the median? Next, has anyone with a brain ever explained to you the logic behind CCSD reordering steps? If so, you get an "F" in comprehension. I'll give you a re-do on that one, and show your work next time.

Now for the facts. My gross pay, when adjusted for the fact that I was able to sell my prep to add a class, reflects a net increase of $3,717 dollars, between 2007 and 2011. Now, seeing that I went from roughly 44,000 to 48,000 that looks like less than a 10% increase. Maybe mr. gibbons needs to recheck his math. But more than likely he is again full of bat squeezins...