Hi, our town is in the middle of our budget planning for next year. Last year we had a Board of Education (BOE) budget increase of 2.5% and ended up loosing only 4 teachers. However, even then there was a strong movement by the town residents to have a 0% increase in the town budget.

This year we are looking at the prospect of loosing 21-47 teachers, with a budget increase of 2.92% or 0% respectively, and increasing class size from 20 to as many as 29 students. The town had asked all the unions to agree to a pay freeze in exchange for job security. All the unions in town have agreed except the teachers who are contracted to receive a 3% increase in salary and benifits. If our Town Council decides on a budget that with an increase that is less than 2.92% we will have more teacher losses.

To make matters worse the head of the teachers' union wrote an editorial in our local paper basicaly claiming that the town has the money, which is questionable, and that they should pay up what they agreed to. I have parents who are VERY angry that the teachers don't seem to be caring about their children's education. I am sick with the lack of power that the parents have. I feel like all we can do is go to the BOE and the town council and whine that we want our teachers.

I am curious if any other towns, school districts are going through the same thing and if so how it was resolved? Have your teachers agreed to pay freezes?

Thanks