Teacher shortage: Oklahoma schools begin academic year with more than 800 vacancies

[soonerguru]

Never, ever said they don't deserve to be paid more -- in fact, I stated exactly the opposite.

OK, but you're blaming their lousy pay on unions, not lawmakers. This is the same phantom argument made by OCPA and the State Chamber. Money isn't going to magically appear to pay teachers more if unions were to disappear. Money will appear when lawmakers and in particular the business community and our ruling party decide to pay them more.

[Pete]

OK, but you're blaming their lousy pay on unions, not lawmakers. This is the same phantom argument made by OCPA and the State Chamber. Money isn't going to magically appear to pay teachers more if unions were to disappear. Money will appear when lawmakers and in particular the business community and our ruling party decide to pay them more.

No, I'm partially blaming the teacher shortage on the teachers themselves and their associations and unions. Big difference.

[Swake]

No, I'm partially blaming the teacher shortage on the teachers themselves and their associations and unions. Big difference.

You know why there's a teacher shortage? It’s pay. It’s always the pay.

You pay your maid $20 an hour. Jimmy down the street gets $30 for spending 45 minutes mowing your yard.

A national board certified teacher in Oklahoma starts at $32,600 in Oklahoma. That's about $16 an hour.

A police officer recruit in Oklahoma City with a high school diploma starts at $42,908. That’s equivalent to a board certified teacher with 20 years experience. And the cop gets OT on top of that pay.

After graduating from the police academy police pay goes up to $48,671, which is 5% more than a board certified teacher with a PHD and 25 years experience at $46.000.

A 18 year old cop just out of high school after completing a 28 week paid training course still on probation makes more money than a teacher with 8 years of college, a published dissertation, board certification and 25 years in the classroom. Think on that.

No kid in college on student loans can afford to get out and make about the same amount of money they would for waiting tables and then pay student loans, 6 weeks off in the summer or not. College is too expensive anymore.