NEWSPAPER: Pay Raise

School trustees signal support for staff pay raise

Arlington Citizen-Journal

Shirley Jinkins

June 13, 2012

"Trustees' budget discussions during two board meetings last week indicate a strong probability that teachers and staff will see an across-the-board 2 percent pay raise. Last year, there were no staff raises."

Now, in light of last year, this is good news, so I'm not going to offer a sarcastic remark. If we can get insurance under control, I'd let out a cheer or dance a jig.

While others raise the price of a jar of peanut butter, a gallon of gas, or a premium, teachers and many other professions cannot raise their rates. We don't make money for shareholders and we don't offer a valued service, so we can only hope to keep our jobs and pray for raises.

MATH PROBLEM: If the Edumicator makes $4,292.27 before taxes, insurance, and other crap are sucked from the paycheck, how much is a 2% pay raise?

ANSWER: A 2% pay raise equals $85 before taxes, insurance, and other crap are sucked from the paycheck.