Teachers are not underpaid

Dear Editor:
Cheryl Kahn, Monadnock Teachers Union Representative writes in the October Sentinel Letters, "But teachers have historically been underpaid for their educational level, and good benefits was one way to compensate them for this fact." She goes on to say that a teacher having to pay 25% of their health care benefit is "unfair and unrealistic." Ms. Kahn, times have changed.

It is not true that Monadnock teachers are underpaid. Starting salary in Monadnock schools is $32,000 a year, average salary is $46,000 per year and top pay is upwards of $60,000 per year. Health care and other benefits can add from $10,000 to $20,000 on top of the salary. According to the 2002 Digest of Education Statistics, teachers work for about 180 days per year at 7.3 hours per day.

The U.S Department of Labor's July 2002 National Compensation Survey: Occupational Wages in the U.S. shows average elementary teachers earning (without benefit compensation), $30.75 per hour and secondary teachers earning $31.01 per hour. Comparable salaries: architects, $29.45 per hour, mechanical engineers $29.46, chemists $30.68 and physicists and astronomers $32.17 per hour. If a teacher makes $46,000 for nine months on the job, and an engineer the same amount for twelve months, obviously the teacher is paid better. Teachers in Japan might make more than those in the U.S., but their school year is much longer. On top of teacher salaries, add the cost of health care, retirement, disability and life insurance and one can see that public education's total package is quite impressive. Tenure should also be considered a benefit and has a value that should not be overlooked. What other profession offers this kind of job security?

The Sentinel mentioned in an article that Ms. Kahn has a second vacation home on Spofford Lake; this is evidence of underpaid?

Some would argue that teachers do more work at home grading papers or preparing lesson plans. However, people in other professions also do copious amounts of work after official hours; especially those who own their own business. In "Reform Blockers" by Terry M. Moe - Education Next - Spring 2003, data shows the average teacher of a department such as English or Social Studies teaching about 4.5 hours per day in 1982 and 3.9 hours per day in 2000. Thus, there is sufficient time during the regular workday for grading and planning, for those who know how to regulate their time.

That teachers in the MRSD are underpaid is false; the data does not support it. It is time that they pick up at least 25% of their health care costs, which is the national average.

Monadnock taxpayers will pay over $600,000 towards the retirement fund this year alone. Currently, the MRSD early retirement policy allows, for those that qualify, to take 30 to 35 percent of their salary for up to seven years before full retirement kicks in. This can amount to $15,000 to $20,000 per year. The early retirement teacher will never see or speak to a student or see a classroom in those seven years. This policy is adding to the financial burden of taxpaying families and should be voided in any new contract. Neither Hinsdale or Winchester offers this lucrative benefit. It is interesting that Ms. Kahn has applied for this benefit while negotiating for the Monadnock teachers.