The Eugene Board is kind of clueless giving out such a big raise I think.  This is the guy that is having all the new hire teachers write an essay in defense of their jobs, with the layoff decisions I assume, being at least partly based on what they write.  Really?  What a cruel thing to do to people.  The district is putting their incompetence directly on the backs of those who have no power to change anything.  How about foregoing the raise, and shift the money to the classroom, where it actually makes a difference in a kids life.