Children's education a taxing issue that won't go away

We have a problem with our nation’s educational system. International agencies have measured student performance: In one 2022 study, five other countries had higher average reading literacy scores, 25 were higher in math, and nine higher in science.

As a former teacher, I know that some say we pay our teachers too much [“LI median teacher pay tops $130G in 34 districts,” News, Feb. 2]. But the failure is not teachers’ salaries, which are consistent with a state survey for average teachers’ salaries. The average salaries for those with doctorates is $147,800, and with master’s degrees it’s $112,000. So what’s the problem?

Simply put, it’s the notion that the only element in educating a student is the teacher. Also critical is the educational system, parents and student. We need to challenge ruinous policies such as promotion without achievement and unnecessary curriculum changes.

How many parents support education for their children? And students’ attitudes is problematic if bad cultural influences exist.

Of four critical elements for successful education — good teachers, a good educational system, parental support and student attitude — the only element that is strong on Long Island is our teachers. That’s because teachers get a decent salary.

So let’s stop attacking our teachers and focus on the real issues preventing our children’s education from being the best it could be.

— Michael Tedaldi, Hicksville

The article reveals a concerning disparity. While teachers justify their $130,000-plus median salaries by citing regional living costs, this argument ignores that most Long Island workers manage with far lower wages. These educators work just nine months annually, yet earn more than many year-round professionals.

More troubling is the lack of results justifying these salaries. As the article notes, New York students show mediocre performance on national assessments despite our state leading in education spending at nearly $30,000 per student.

The Citizens Budget Commission’s report “Highest Costs, Middling Marks” confirms this disconnect between compensation and outcomes. When public servants earn significantly more than the taxpayers funding their salaries while delivering average results, we must question this use of public funds.

— Michael Scaturro, Garden City South

I think it would be a wonderful “experiment” to let Long Island taxpayer advocates like Andrea Vecchio spend a few weeks in one of our local schools working as a full-time educator. As a public school educator in the Lynbrook School District, I’d like to see if, in addition to her classroom duties, she thinks she is “overpaid” for also being a role model, part-time parent, adviser, therapist, social worker, mandated reporter, and general voice of reason, all while exerting patience, compassion, and understanding for what a lot of these students are going through.

— Tom Sena, Merrick

The table comparing the average salaries from 2022-23 to 2023-24 does not provide one important piece of information — the number of teachers making the median salary. The more experienced a teacher is, the higher the salary.

Not including that information presents an incomplete picture about why certain districts’ average salaries are what they are. As someone who taught for 32 years, I’m also aware that the salaries reflect how teachers have furthered their education.

— Beth Haft, Syosset

The issue is a classic example of what came first, the chicken or the egg?

Are teachers’ salaries high because of the cost of living here, or is the cost of living here high because of teacher (and police officer) salaries?

If one of these group’s salaries does go down, will the other follow suit? I doubt it.

— Laura Smith, Centereach

Teachers’ salaries continue to be brought up as if that is the reason for the high taxes Long Islanders pay for schools. It’s past time to consolidate administration in districts to save millions of dollars. Each town should have one district with one superintendent.

On the other hand, we were told years ago that the state lottery would help support our schools and lower our taxes, yet every year our taxes rise. Where is all that money going?

In my town, new apartments and condos are being built, yet taxes continue to rise. Meanwhile, longtime Long Island residents, especially seniors, remain here and must face their struggles.

— Jerry Trapani, North Great River

An educator said that the teachers’ pay reflects the high cost of living on Long Island. What the educator did not mention was that the high property taxes we pay are due to the high teacher salaries — 60% of my property tax bill is for school taxes. There is no incentive for school districts to consolidate or lower the school tax.

— Stephen Rothaug, Baiting Hollow