What Happens?

nonymous has left a new comment on your post "Both sides Need to Listen":

This is certainly a thoughtful response to the situation. I am assuming that you are a teacher and appreciate your calm and peaceful way of describing this situation. Yes it is true that both sides need to come to terms with a situation that has gotten somewhat ugly. It would however show good faith by the teachers if they stopped wearing black and stopped wearing the pins. This perhaps would send the message that the teachers respect the parents as much as we are expected to respect them.

If both sides are to come to peace, each needs to make an effort to understand each other's positions. We do understand that teachers would like to be compensated like their peers, we would all like the same for ourselves. We understand that teachers too have financial issues. The parents would like to see that the teachers have heard us and understand that our vocal positions do not come from a lack of respect for the profession but a deep concern for our financial future. Yes we would like to keep our "best and brightest" but what happens when the district can't afford to pay them anymore will they pick up and leave for greener pastures? What happens when academic programs suffer because around 65% or more of the district's budget is dedicated to payroll? What will our our academic standing be when we are broke and with lack luster academic programming?