Teachers still needed?

[csgray]

Carey makes some good points, but the fact that virtually no school district in the country is escaping the effects of the economic downturn may slow the exodus of teachers from Hawaii, a job in Hawaii at 15-20 % less than you signed on for is still a job. I think the more expensive islands will see teachers leave first, if they can't pay their student loans and meet living expenses on the reduced salary. If Hawaii's economic recovery lags behind the mainland as has happened in past downturns, then I think we will first see younger teachers without deep roots here leave, followed by those whose spouses can't find work here, if there is work available on the mainland.

I also think that the whole furlough/pay cut thing will make it much harder for Hawaii to recruit qualified teachers in the future. It takes a lot of sacrifice to move here; you are far from friends and family, the cost of living is high, and it is expensive to bring much "stuff" with you, and expensive to replace it here if you leave it behind. If a potential teacher can't be sure what their income will be once they are here, then luring them to Hawaii to teach will be a tough sell.

I think the fact that Bob's wife has been unsuccessfully trying to get a teaching job on the Big Island for 2 years, in spite of having all the right credentials, is particularly instructive as to what can happen to even the best qualified of educators here.

Carol