Links that supposedly show "average salaries" are invariably put out by biased sources. Here's real true data by teacher name. Of course, by design, it is very difficult to navigate....name-by-name. I checked six "Smith" last names:
The first number is their salaries. The second number is the cost of fringes. All for just plain old teachers:
Laura $62,056 + $33,870
Andrew $76,365 + $20,907
Jeni $45,747 + $18,237
Shannon $60,868 + $31,419
Renee $26,628 + $17,519 for 25% employment multiplied times the 4 schools she works at: $106,512 + $70,076
Lola $57,567 + $30,054
These salaries are golden. And each and every one of them paid with property taxes that are regressive. It's time teachers joined the real world. The Governor gave notice their contract will no longer be honored as of March 13th. Good for him. They have tried to negotiate higher contributions to their fabulous fringes -- and only now has the union said, "Okay, we'll do that." Can they be trusted? Of course not.
I don't think their right to bargain should be taken away, though. Wisconsin should just make sure that those who negotiate these contracts have the stones to hold tight. That hasn't been the case in the past.
