Karns City Area School District Teachers' Strike

Dear Editor:
Much to the dismay of some teachers, especially those in my extended family, I am writing in the matter of the impending teacher's strike within the Karns City Area School District. 

I am certainly appalled to find that KCASD teachers are still contemplating a work stoppage on or about September 1.  Currently, the average gross salary in KCASD is over $52,000 annually-- that's a pretty handsome sum for only 180 days of work!  A mere 1,440 hours calculates to $36.11 per hour.  That's right, $36.11 per hour!  I can think of countless talented people in our region who would enjoy such terms of employment, including rather decent healthcare benefits, an iron-clad pension, guaranteed tenure (even if performance is substandard), and a ten week vacation every year-- all for standing before a chalkboard, lecturing, assigning homework and grading papers.
Somehow, somewhere, greed has become an acceptable excusal for halting or suspending the education of our children.  I've failed to receive that memorandum. Yes, how wise-- let us use our children as a bargaining tool-- mere chattel pitted between an out-of-control teacher's union and a weary school district. Teachers, have you no shame? Have we not seen every refinery, the mere workforce staples of the Petroleum Valley, struggle with lay-offs while other local small businesses have had to close?  We're still in the thick of a recession (despite what President Obama has told you), and you're waiting for another taxpayer handout and contractual agreement to go with it.  We're already burdened with your inflated salaries, and the children you teach now will be paying for your bloated pensions tomorrow. I have yet to meet a teacher who is impoverished or overworked. Please, for the betterment of our community and preservation of your dignity, do what the rest of us are doing-- learn to live within your means!
Sincerely,
John D. Lewis, Kaylor, PA

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