The state would close public schools for 17 Fridays this year and the next to save money, under a teachers' contract agreement.
The closings would mean that teachers would not be working 17 days in this year and in 2010, which translates into a 7.9 percent pay cut.
Not good for teachers or for students.
Probably not, although for all of last year my husband and his coworkers took a temporary 10% pay cut to help keep the company they work for in business. Can't kill the golden goose, you know!
ReplyDeleteHowever, they took the pay cut without reducing their work hours or output. They were just grateful to still have jobs. I would imagine teachers would be willing to do the same sort of thing, if it were temporary and to assure continued employment. I suppose that would break some sort of contract agreement, though, wouldn't it? And there's still the other operating costs involved, not just teacher salaries. Where would you cut spending?
Hawaii is in a seriously tough spot. I have spent a fair amount of time there and know many teachers there. The tourism dollars are just way way down. There just isn't the money. Reality sure bites sometimes.
ReplyDeleteRichard
What's worse, it's not a well-kept secret in education circles that Hawaii's schools have never been very good to begin with.
ReplyDelete"...tourism dollars are just way way down"
ReplyDeleteProbably because every time you turn around the state is adding another "rape the tourist" fee/tax/surcharge
Tourists aren't dumb, they'll go to where they feel they aren't victimized.
We still go, but buy less while there because the wallet feels very light starting the minute you board Hawaiian Air for the trip out.
$15 each way for the 1st checked bag and charging $5 to see the movie even if you brought your own headphones.