Hey Newwoosy, explain to me how anyone living on the West Coast with a family to support can make only 20 grand a year and "make it work"??? Elementary school teachers get off much more time than we do, are home every night, and average over $68,000 in this area...and their medical, dental, and vision are all paid by the district with only a $10 co-pay until age 65 where medicare takes over(regardless of when they retire). Oh, and the district contributes 8.25% of their gross pay to a real pension plan!!!They currently top out at $79,900 and in addition get up to a $3500 stipend. They just turned down an offer of a 9% increase this year and a 3% over that the following year. Their starting pay is double the 20,000 you rave about and they don't think thats enough!