Jake's 58 gambling, legalized pot and LI teacher salaries

Jake’s 58 is looking like a winning bet

The eventual reduction of hundreds of dollars in Islandia residents’ property taxes per year is a shocking and critical lesson for Long Islanders [“Mayor: Islandia to be a ‘tax-free zone,’ <MK0>“ ” News, April 14].

It turns out that some unlikely projects do make sense for residents and community members. And, despite evidence to the contrary, it is possible to make part of Long Island more affordable for young people, families and residents who are not millionaires.

If you visit Islandia residents today and ask them if they’d prefer a dilapidated Marriott or a Jake’s 58 casino, I would bet on Jake’s.

I hope Nassau County is paying attention.

— Cristopher J. Espinoza, Roslyn

Legalized gambling, pot are done deals

The editorial “Are we gambling with addiction?” states in its subhead, “The consequences of legalizing betting and marijuana must be evaluated” [Opinion, April 21]. Sorry, that ship has launched. New York State’s need (and greed) for money far outweighs the negative impact of legalizing gambling and marijuana.

The celebrities and sports figures who peddle these gambling sites should be ashamed of themselves. A few years from now, when millions of gamblers will owe a few hundred million dollars to the government, will they be bailed out with our tax dollars? We have seen this before, and it ends badly.

— George A. Szarmach, Dix Hills

Linking teachers’ salaries to results

Earlier this past week, a feeling of confusion hung in the air. On April 22, the cover headline about teachers’ pay on Long Island read, “Median salaries top $120G” with a subhead that included “Numbers show region remains one of the highest paying for teachers in the U.S.” The next day, a headline read, “Jericho ranks among best U.S. schools” [News, April 23]. And 19 other local high schools, according to U.S. News & World Report, also made the top 1,000. Dare I suggest there is a connection? If you pay more, you get more.

Higher teacher salaries can and do improve the quality of education and enhance student experiences. Increased salaries attract more qualified and experienced educators and make teaching a more appealing career choice.

Paying higher salaries incentivizes teachers to invest more in their professional development, which will ultimately enhance their skills. Higher salaries can lead to higher job satisfaction, which helps teachers feel valued and respected, motivating them to remain in the profession longer, resulting in consistent and stable learning environments for students.

Higher teacher salaries positively impact student outcomes as seen in the top 1,000.

This is not just about compensation. It’s an investment in the future of education, which affects all of us stakeholders.

 — Rissa Zimmerman, Dix Hills

The writer teaches at Vanderbilt Elementary School in the Half Hollow Hills school district.

A teacher must have an advanced degree much like a doctor, lawyer or pharmacist. So they are entitled to more compensation. As a retired pedagogue, I recall many of my colleagues tutoring or working second jobs with their “median” salaries because it was not enough to maintain their house, support their families and pay their real estate taxes while living on Long Island.

What I seem to be reading between the lines is that there should be a correlation between the teachers’ pay and students’ test results. Vermont and Massachusetts students are better educated, but they pay their teachers less than New York does. Why? Every educator will attest that teaching is much more successful when the students are ready to learn. That means the students are rested, not hungry and have a good grasp of the language in which they are being taught as well as family support in the educational process. If you take your child to the doctor but don’t follow the doctor’s recommendations, should the doctor’s fee be less?

The problem with Long Island education is that there are too many administrators/superintendents taking salaries that should be going to teachers.

 — Breda Paccione, Northport

Newsday lists Long Island’s top-ranked schools, and once more there are no surprises. U.S. News & World Report states six factors: college readiness, state assessment proficiency as well as student performance, underserved student performance, curriculum breadth and graduation rates.

But there are really two simple, reliable and obvious reasons for these schools’ high rankings: family wealth and parents’ education.

Let’s also consider the poorer districts that do a great job in educating students who do not have the advantages of their top-ranked neighbors.

 — Bill Toumey, Long Beach

Reading about teachers’ salaries, I have this question: “How much should a teacher be paid?” As the husband, father and father-in-law of teachers, I know that most not only have master’s degrees but also have 30 to 60 credits above that.

People have to look at how well teachers are educating the children of Long Island. I think they’re doing a pretty good job. Also, without these salaries, our teachers would be unable to live in and be part of our communities.

So, if you have a child who can read and solve math problems, thank a teacher.

 — Rich Corso, Oceanside