[Superman]

I really hate to do this but as a labor relations person and former compensation analyst who is addicted to organizational behavior discussions, I probably agree with Len, Island and others. Workplace motivation is as interesting as sex (almost). I probably would downplay salaries as a huge issue, though there is some impact, no doubt. They may be related in terms of status.

Most of the teachers I know are devoted. And frustrated and not fully appreciated. Some of them are true professionals who can tell you what is needed (within the realm of possibility) in order to deliver an effective education. Unfortunately, parts of the solution would involve the parents. And there is where some of your criticism could be well-placed, frankly.

One of my daughters reports that a particular student's lunch, each day without variation, consists of two cans of pop and three or four candy bars. This kid is in the seventh grade. Now, let's see a show of hands, of people who would like to volunteer to try to teach this person something in the afternoons. Or even have him present in a room where teaching will be attempted.

There is another kid who is, and for years has been, completely consumed by how to commit the perfect murder, how to destroy all the world's computer systems at once, and other similar topics. This kid's attention cannot be diverted from these topics regardless of the techniques used by the teachers and the school. There is no money or other resources that currently can bring this young man into contact with a mental health evaluator or counselor.

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.

But anyway, I digress. Yes, "OB" issues in the education system are interesting, and improvements can be made. Interestingly, on the cover of a recent edition of a local newspaper, there were stories of several local school closings for budget reasons ($20m shortfall) next to a story about a $2b transportation funding package being passed.