Teachers are the future of our children? LMFAO! First of all, that is an incomprehensible sentence. Now, if the children's future is dependent on the teachers teaching them is what you meant to say, I laugh even harder. Just take a look at all of the non-credit remedial math and english courses taught at the UW system, and compare that with the number of remedials offered 20 years ago. If thats progress, the children's future is dire indeed. And as far as comparing their pay to other professionals.....other professionals have to perform and they work year round. And if you figure their pay based on weeks worked, teachers are right up there with the pros. Health care costs rising? Well boo hoo. Things are tough all over. Why should the taxpayers that pay teachers salaries, who also have increasing health care costs, pick up the tab for the teachers? What's next? We gonna reimburse teachers for losing appreciation on their homes because of the housing slump? We going to finance new fuel efficient cars for them because gas prices are over $3/gallon? Teachers need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Okay let me rephrase what I said earlier. Our children are learning things from teachers that they need to succeed in this world. Now even that sounds like I'm saying parents have no say in their childs education. But I'm not. I'm saying that not every parent knows how to do A&P and Algebra or Pre-cal. Teachers know these things and can help us raise our children to succeed. Teachers put up with alot of bull from kids now a days. It's not like when my dad was in school and a teacher could throw you up against a locker when you were acting like a dumba**. Not saying teachers should be able to do that. But have you ever noticed how out of control kids are now days. Teachers should almost get hazard pay for putting up with some of these kids that are so out of control!

I am so disappointed with the School District for not responding respectfully in negotiating with our teachers. They are prohibited from striking, not that they would, but the hourly workers at GM walked their picket line, the writers in California and stage workers in NYC are picketing, but teachers can't?!?
These men and women are the educators of our children. They inspire and reinforce and challenge and tolerate our children. They model good behavior, and partner with us parents in preparing children to navigate in society.
These people are trying to make their voices heard most gently. I cannot think of a single instance where my child's education has been adversely affected by any demonstration of solidarity by the teachers. They give 110% to the children of this community. We all have issues with the rising costs of health care. I'm not going to begrudge the teachers for wanting the same things I want for my own family. Rather than suffering the consequences of high health care cost, we should seek out a new solution for us all!!!
Geez, people, WAKE UP!

Gee, it's too bad teachers are the only employees with high healthcare costs.

Teachers don’t seem to be asking for anything outlandish. Asking to keep the same benefits and keep up with the cost of living used to be considered a reasonable request in America. Too many try to play off the teachers as getting too much. They get far less than most professionals. It is sad that runaway healthcare costs have forced so many to attack our professional teachers. Let’s settle this thing and give them a fair contract

Not quite everything learned is from teachers. It seems to me that my parents had something to do with it as well as alot of other sources both in and out of school.

Teachers are the future of our children. They deserve to be paid a lot more than what they are getting. Everything your child learns is from them and they deserve a little more credit than what they get.