Schweitzer Comes Out Swinging for Teachers

How bout a...... (0.00 / 0)

STATEWIDE PAY SYSTEM IN MONTANA?!!!  It's about time!  Why should the teachers in the big cities live LARGE, and the poor saps in East Overshoe, Montana starve?  They shouldn't!  Let's have EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK!  Ain't that what it's all about?  A statewide PAY system, and a statewide HEALTH INSURANCE system?  Are you listening, Brian?

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Thu Jan 29, 2009 at 22:28:24 PM UTC

ya really think? (0.00 / 0)

The Governor know's this'll never pass, because the legislature isn't going to burden the energy industry at this time with higher taxes.

So why propose something that will not pass?

Simply to "pay back" the MEA for their undying support of Dems -

If our Governor truly wanted to put a lot more money into education he would have done it by now, rather than hire 1000 more state employees - his priority seems to be expanding government, not schools -  

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by: Eric Coobs @ Thu Jan 29, 2009 at 23:48:04 PM UTC

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I hear ya, Eric! (0.00 / 0)

But ya know, the absolute BEST teachers I ever saw were the ones in small town Montana, yet these poor saps live like BEGGARS compared to their spoiled big city cousins!  Taint right.  I know the Guv is a small town guy, so maybe he'll listen.  Besides, he always talks about lowing healthcare costs by having a larger pool to draw from.  Why not a statewide TEACHERS pool?  It's all about  equity.  Take some of the big city money and spread the wealth around!

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Fri Jan 30, 2009 at 01:15:23 AM UTC

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Larry (0.00 / 0)

Pardon me, but the implication that teachers in Montana's larger cities are living like kings is simply ludicrous. Cost of living in Montana's cities is much higher than in the more rural parts of the state, and many of the rural districts own housing for their teachers which those teachers get at a very good rate. I am not saying their salaries are not a scandal, but please do not make the argument that those of us who teach in larger cities are living high on the hog. Simply untrue. Are suburban teachers better off than rural teachers? in many cases. But let's remove the gross exaggeration and hyperbole from our arguments, shall we?
The good guv's idea has real merit. They are already doing this in Wyoming, and it has been successful. business is resistant to paying any kind of taxes, but if they are going to drill our reserves, they should have to contribute to our society. They won't stop their production here because of a tax. If anything, it is something they can use and say they are good citizens. I see a 30 second spot on the horizon.

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by: alexrosenleaf @ Fri Jan 30, 2009 at 05:20:57 AM UTC

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It's STILL all about..................... (0.00 / 0)

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK!  It's a LIE that small town cost of living makes up for  the gross inequities in salaries.  Besides, if it's a good deal for some, why not for all?  It's time. If Schweitzer REALLY wants to help  teachers, help ALL teachers by instituting a statewide pay plan!  Oh sure, guys like Alex are gonna squeal like stuck pigs, but I sure wouldn't!  I would WANT all my colleagues to share the benefits!  But that's just the way I am.  I can see NO reasonable  argument against it, other than the old cheaper living one.  Hey, groceries are groceries, whether you buy them in East Overshoe or Great Falls!  Please, let's do it right!

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Fri Jan 30, 2009 at 14:58:17 PM UTC

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Listen dipshit... (0.00 / 0)

I don't think I said that I didn't want rural teachers to make a decent wage, I just said that your characterization of urban teachers is WILDLY off base and that rural teachers do have a few advantages, one I did not mention for many rural educators is smaller class sizes with fewer students.
I think a statewide pay plan is a great idea. I am all for it because it will improve the entire system for all of Montana's kids by paying their teachers like professionals. But do not insinuate that I live high on the hoof eating turducken in my gilded mansion. I struggle to make ends meet just like everyone else out there. I may make decent money now (this 4 years after getting my BA and working as a substitute teacher, at NEW then for the Tribune... none of which pay very well at all... I can finally use my degree in a meaningful way and begin, perhaps, to pay down my student loan debt a little.), but my wife is an EMT, making only a little better than minimum wage. It is only through smart planning that we have been able to pay our bills. I also have a second job. So don't make me out to be some wealthy man of leisure is all that I am saying, there Larry Kralj, Environmental Ranger! Hell, i would like to see Montana's minimum wage be made into a living wage so that no family would have to suffer the pains of hunger, especially where parents are working hard to provide for their kids. Don't make me out to be some sort of fatcat.  

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by: alexrosenleaf @ Fri Jan 30, 2009 at 17:22:31 PM UTC

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WHAT A PISSANT YOU ARE, LITTLE FELLA! (1.00 / 1)

You OBVIOUSLY havea never taught in a class C school.  Smaller class size huh.  Well mr. big experienced teacher, how many PREPS do you have?  You're a joke.  Big city teachers make a DAMN good wage compared to small town teachers.  So, save the martyr act for someone who doesn't understand the situation.  But really, little fella, did I say that you were  a "wealthy mand of leisure"???  Hope your lousy reading skills are NOT indicative of your teaching ability!!!!

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Fri Jan 30, 2009 at 23:00:33 PM UTC

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Chill out a little, Larry. (0.00 / 0)

Alex was disagreeing with you, not crapping in your Wheaties.

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by: Rob Kailey @ Fri Jan 30, 2009 at 23:16:11 PM UTC

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I hear ya. (0.00 / 0)

My god, I simply expressed an idea whose time has come, and the guy goes Clint Eastwood on my ass.  What the hell's WRONG with him?   I made that suggestion in all seriousness.  You see, I have taught in many Class C schools.  (for the record, I no longer teach.  Not because of the kids.  I love'em.  But the bullshit and low wages)  And in one school I taught in back in the early nineties,  our friggin' HEALTH insurance was $550 a month back then!  And the top wage  after Master plus 45 was about the STARTING wage in Great Falls!  You see, in our tiny district, a couple'a people with some serious illnessses jump your premiums outta the stratosphere. (and we had'em)  SO, mr. rosentwig, my freakin' TAKE HOME pay, after everything out, was BARELY over a thousand a month!  I'd like alex to post his STARTING salary at GF!  'Course, he won't do it.  You see, if ALL teachers in the state were in the same damn insurance pool, that wouldn't happen. Rates for EVERYONE  would be affordable! And if ALL teachers in the state were state empolyees, there would be NO discrepancies!  The savings in health insurance alone would make a HUGE difference in wages!  Let's assume for a moment that ALL teacher's pay was equalized.  The big city teachers might lose a little, but the small town teachers would win big!  And just what the hell is wrong with that?  As I said, the absolute BEST teachers I've ever seen were in Class C.  Shouldn't the be rewarded for their  quality?????  You see, it's simply merit pay.  Class C schools produce a FAR superior product.  So, why should Rosentwig make more?????

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Fri Jan 30, 2009 at 23:31:49 PM UTC

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p.s. (0.00 / 0)

Only a dipshit like you would react the way you did to my post above.  With a temper like that, you won't last long in teaching!  You'll smack a kid and be in jail!

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Fri Jan 30, 2009 at 23:03:54 PM UTC

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Good Luck getting any (0.00 / 0)

Significant money for schools with the very little development that we have going on here.

I know Schweitzer likes to act like he's in favor of development, but in order for money to be coming in from taxes on it, we have to have it to begin with.  

- Keeping the Left honest since 2001

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by: sydney@alias @ Thu Jan 29, 2009 at 22:32:36 PM UTC

*pffft* Whatever Syd! You and your "facts" *rolls eyes* (0.00 / 0)

What...are you gonna try and tell me that developing our natural resources somehow helps fund the school system in Montana?!?!?!??!?!

I mean...sure...there's this...

The Enabling Act provided that proceeds from the sale and permanent disposition of any of the trust lands, or part thereof, shall constitute permanent funds for the support and maintenance of the public schools and the various state institutions for which the lands had been granted. The Montana Constitution provides that these permanent funds shall forever remain inviolate, guaranteed by the State of Montana against loss or diversion.

The Enabling Act further provided that rentals received on leased lands, interest earned on the permanent funds arising from these lands, interest earned on deferred payments on lands sold, and all other actual income shall be available for the maintenance and support of such schools and institutions.

http://www.dnrc.mt.gov/trust/A...

And...um...this...

 77-1-202. Powers and duties of board. (1) The board shall exercise general authority, direction, and control over the care, management, and disposition of state lands and, subject to the investment authority of the board of investments, the funds arising from the leasing, use, sale, and disposition of those lands or otherwise coming under its administration. In the exercise of these powers, the guiding principle is that these lands and funds are held in trust for the support of education and for the attainment of other worthy objects helpful to the well-being of the people of this state as provided in The Enabling Act. The board shall administer this trust to:
    (a) secure the largest measure of legitimate and reasonable advantage to the state; and
    (b) provide for the long-term financial support of education.

http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/m...

Wait...what just happened?!  

It would appear that the money raised from any leases granted by the Land Board (controlled solely by the Democrats) would go directly into the school system.  It would appear as if the problem could almost entirely solve itself.  Weird, eh?

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by: Rusty Shackleford @ Fri Jan 30, 2009 at 02:35:29 AM UTC

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