State Sen. James ”Pate” Philip`s letter in the July 19 Tribune criticizing the plan to fund the Chicago public schools is an exercise in contradiction, hysteria and hypocrisy. The Republican leader`s logic is indicative of the fuzzy thinking which has dropped Illinois to 44th out of the 50 states in aid to education.
On teachers being allowed to retire at 55, after 30 years of service, he writes, ”We are robbing our children of the most experienced teachers just when new challenges and changes cry out for experienced teachers.”
But when it comes time to reward these same experienced, low-paid, dedicated, hardworking teachers with a 21 percent raise over three years, he writes, ”We are mortgaging the future in order to reward teachers with a 21 percent pay boost and a generous pension that includes early retirement.”
He can`t have it both ways. If experienced teachers are truly essential to the future of Illinois and her schoolchildren, then pay them what they deserve. If, on the other hand, teachers are responsible for the ills of education, why shouldn`t they be allowed to retire after three decades of service?
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