Forecaster article

The southern edition of The Forecaster recently published a story about the budget talks between the SPTA and the SPSD. I was disappointed that Mr. Billings, who (unlike me) has an S at the end of his surname, did not include a distinction that I was eager to make. While the salary freeze was obviously unpopular with many, many members, the SPTA is committed to sincere participation in talks about budget problems and solutions.

Also, Mr. Billings probably didn't have the space to clarify that a retirement payment is based on the average of the three best years teaching so a reduction this year would hit not only folks retiring this year, but also retirees over the next two year. The distinction may not be important for the general readership, but it is very important to our members, and therefore must be considered as we talk about solutions.

You can read the article at "Stimulus May Avert Showdown."