Absolutely, like I said I was very surprised at the fact that they have to provide transportation.  If I didn’t have the bussing, I would find another way.  It is just convienent.  I didn’t mean to put forth that any of the districts problems falls on the teachers, I was addressing the collective bargaining agreements that dictate their salaries and benefits.  I also think that the teacher’s unions have other influences on the administrations.  It’s the teacher’s and the teacher’s money (through dues) that are being used.

I don’t understand why an audit was not required before taxes were allowed to be raised, if anything, to help identify areas of cost savings.  Why would Wilson not have any info on a trip taken to England, wouldn’t an expenditure like that have to be approved by the board?  How can you approve your own expenses, and not have reciepts? 

Also, after reading this, I think I may reconsider using the bussing!!!  That is a bit scary.  Have or will they remove these 2 bus drivers with prior convictions of serious crimes?

To me it looks like the school districts grew relative to their ability to transport kids to school and adults to meetings.  The retirement of the one-room school house coincided with the advent of the automobile.

I read that in New York State, as superintendents retired, they decided then whether or not to merge smaller school districts into larger ones.  At this point, most states have larger ones or county wide.  It seems like South Eastern is being run like a mom and pop operation and is too small to cost-effectively hire the specialists to keep track of their business.  Statewide management would be too large.  But something in between might be better.

As for the teachers, I think any study would show that they are underpaid compared to comparably educated people.  The unions and tenure were established largely to counteract the practice of putting older teachers out onto the street and hiring cheaper teachers right out of college.  Like anything else, there are good teachers and lousy teachers.  I am sure any of you can remember that one special teacher in your youth that helped you in some way.  I, for one, am sick of seeing them be made scapegoats for mismanagement.