New Math

I finally realize why kids can't do math any more. Our schools have had big budget problems here and one way to balance the meager budget is to cut teacher's salaries. The Superintendent of Schools proposed to slash $14 million from next year's budget. To reach that figure, they negotiated with the teachers union and finally reached an agreement. Teachers and aids who have more than 26 years experience had their experience raises cut 1% this year. All experience raises for everyone else were halted. Under the agreement the 26 yr. + teachers get their 1% back and everyone else gets their negotiated experience raises. This will cost the district $360,000. Here's where the negotiations get difficult. All employees hired after July 1, 2009 will get less in their experience raises after 26+ years. This new schedule will save the district $400,000. Ok. Here's where I say WHAT? How does a savings of what they calculate to be $40,000 end up being $14 million? How do they calculate a saving of $40,000? Assuming you have the same number of teachers 26+ years from now you might save $40,000. How does that save us anything today? Wouldn't it cost $360,000 in the next budget year? Oh well, the kids aren't to blame. Maybe the school board doesn't know what to teach them.