If we pay a premium for teacher salaries, they should deliver a premium product. Currently they do not. This is the problem that our largest newspaper should address. We will never get better education by shopping for cheaper teachers or cheaper schools. If we are to raise our standard of living and the quality of life for our children to keep them from fleeing to other areas for job and social opportunities, we need to start with the basics.
Education is the first step.
Teachers and school administrators need to stop making excuses and earn the money we give them. Discard weak teachers and watered-down curricula and really try harder. Parents and our community leaders need to stop whining and complaining about the cost and the effort required. For example, recent attempts to consider building a new high school needed at Valley West were resisted by some on the school board - possibly in the interest of an elderly resident population reluctant to pay the price. And the gifted program at the Chester Street School may be reconsidered.