This is a tough situation.  I fully support our teachers and their need for increased pay.  We want the best educators possible for our community and it is important to send a message to all prospective educators, San Juan Island is a place they want to be!

However, I doubt it is that simple.  There is a limited amount of dollars.  Teacher's compensation is one piece of the pie.  If their piece is increased in size, another piece or pieces must be decreased.  The cuts to arts and music have already been painful.  I imagine class sizes will be increased significantly in the future because a position or two will most likely be eliminated to pay for the increase.  

It is a difficult problem.  Maybe the redundancy in administration throughout the county could be looked at again?  

In all, I stand with the teachers.

Thank you, Ruth McKenna.  I voted for you last time and will do so again!