Teachers are not overpaid and they've much education behind them. Need a masters and 30+ to bump up the pay scale for decent hourly. I know the long hours - I have family member/friend that are principals and they (along w/teachers, aids, crossing guards, you name it) all buy and provide so much for their schools -- out of their very own pocket or their husband's salary - even items for the physical ed classes. It's a horror story.
Some school districts have better budgets than others - the gaming industry is taxed for the public education in our state and there should be enough revenue but the system is rated poorly - was at the bottom of the barrel. The gov't must look at the most important profession as a calling and salaries are paid accordingly - it is what it is, I guess/oh well is their reasoning. Who the hey ever made up this insane thinking! For one thing, a religion ran the school district here for many decades all congregated here from Utah - need I say more! So meager with salaries but looked out for their own religious-cult people. That's not the case any longer and this probably was the case in many states. The Jewish/Catholic mafia running the areas of money but a lot has changed in that aspect.
Parents show up at the high-risk/underprivileged schools begging for warm coats, sweaters, shoes, etc., for their children yet are dressed in designer (maybe not Gucci or Armani/high end Euro designer but sometimes!) shoes, handbags -- Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Tory Burch (US designers) but still designer items (lower scale but still very expensive) and teachers shopping sales/wearing normal clothes from jcp/discount stores -- which is fine -- but something is radically wrong out there starting with irresponsible/inadequate (to put it mildly) parents! Teachers calling friends, family, etc., for donations for these students every year -- thankfully! Kids get cold and need basics.
