Well let's see...some time ago, OREGONIAN newspaper ran a front page story on why government worker retirement (including teachers) was such a drain on the state budget. The front page photo showed a "retired" teacher couple lounging by the pool of their retirement community in Sun City (I believe Arizona?) while enjoying their combined retirement pay of $110,000 per year. This did NOT include the medical benefits they are still entitled to until age 65 when Social Security takes over. He was 53, she 51, both had put in their 30 years, retired early. The chairman of our local school board told me that the average teacher cost to the taxpayers of Lebanon, Oregon is now above $70,000 per year. That's salary, combined with retirement, dental, vision, and medical insurance, paid by the taxpayers. These teachers will also retire at slightly above age 50, retirement on the taxpayers tab.
But definitely...it's those damned airplanes robbing the schools of needed funding!
