To the editor:
As a retired educator from the Caribou School Department, I find a need to correct the erroneous remarks made by a Mr. Phil Cyr in the November 20, 2013 issue. If Mr. Cyr had done his research he would know that there are many retired teachers who cannot afford to live on their State of Maine Public Employee Pensions. In fact, many educators take multiple jobs upon retirement to supplement their pensions in order to stay in their homes and pay their medical bills. Retired teachers pay for a good part of their health insurance…in fact none of a retired teacher’s insurance is paid directly from the taxpayers of Caribou.
If Mr. Cyr had done his research he would also know that teachers have never received paid vacations or paid holidays. Their pay is based on the days they work. Whether they are paid through summer breaks depends on whether they choose a 26 pay option which only stretches what they make over the course of the year rather than the 22 pays of a typical school year.
If Mr. Cyr had done his research before passing judgment on the teachers of Caribou, he would also know that retiring at 60{and not mid- fifties as stated} is a thing of the past. Many teachers must now work until 62 or pay a 6% penalty for retiring early. And as of three years ago the retirement age changed to 65 again paying a penalty if retiring early.
I find it is easy for the average citizen to throw great, big, rocks at teachers in their so called “Ivory Towers”, when in fact most teachers, myself included paid for everyday things like pencils, story books and manipulatives, used to teach young children, out of pocket, because we understand that the school district has limited funding. Mr. Cyr, instead of being critical, why don’t you volunteer in a classroom and actually see what our local teachers are doing with less on a daily basis. Maybe then you can understand that what teachers are asking for is equity and fairness and not more money. Mr. Cyr, you will never find a teacher that went into education to become wealthy. We do it because we love children and we love to teach, however we need to eat, pay bills and taxes in order to provide for our own families.
Mr. Cyr, next time you slam teachers please do your homework!
Lou Willey,
Caribou
