We need more money – not less – to 1) reform our teacher qualifications, and identify and get rid of the worse 15% of teachers who live off the system and became teachers because it was not hard to make the grade, and 2) give a big raise to the legit 85% who are dedicated and talented, and double their numbers which will naturally happen when salaries are boosted.

We should not allow layoffs at schools or attack their pension funds. Instead, we should nurture educational districts, their staff, and our teachers…make public schools “good” again. We need a much smarter and savvier set of high school graduates to compete with a fast-advancing world and keep America the leading nation we have been. We need a much smarter use of our tax moneys and make sure we increase, not decrease, the salaries and benefits of teachers and make that profession one of our most valued and respected.

When did it start to go wrong when it’s OK to pay less than median average salaries to our teachers but give Kobe $25-million a year to give us attitude and yes some great basketball? When did our priorities as a nation get all out of whack? And right-wing Republicans want to screw education (along with social security and medicare) rather than raise taxes on the very rich? WHAT??

So layoff the layoffs for teachers…get rid of their worst, and encourage their best…and nurture one of our greatest resources. This is crucial to America and our future, and way overdue…we can do this! Commit to make this happen wherever you live!