Mr. Ryan,
Many rural school districts do not have the population to support the tax base to pay teachers more. Many rural school districts have what in other areas would be considered substandard buildings -- by which I'm not talking about a lack of heated Olympics-sized swimming pools, I'm talking about buildings with structural issues -- but can't afford new ones.
Conejos County has a population of 8,100.
Huerfano County has less than 7,000 residents.
I bet there are city blocks in Denver or in its suburbs that have more people living in high-rise apartments or condo/apartment complexes.
Those counties can also feel isolated and cut off during bad weather.
How would you address those issues?
Merely stating (whining about?) what you apparently feel is an insufficient salary doesn't resolve those issues.
If rural communities can come to these town halls and bring their concerns, how is that a waste of time?