Vox Pop

The Brainerd School District could've saved $650,000 over two years if it would've given 1 percent less each year to the teachers' union. Teachers were given 4.85 percent increase over two years. A veteran first-grade teacher with a master's degree can make up to $60,000. Can a first-grader really benefit from a teacher with a master's degree or only the teacher? Teachers' and administrators' wages need to be scrutinized. Cuts will soon be coming. I'm sure the students will suffer the most. At least the teachers and the administrators are making $50,000 and $90,000, respectively.

Brainerd School District teachers received a 4.55 percent increase in their salary and benefits for a two-year period for 2003-05. School administrators received a 4 percent increase for the same period. A teacher with a master's degree, who has been with the school district for 17 years or more and is at the top of the pay scale, earned $58,632 this school year and will earn $60,356 next school year. Teacher and administrator salaries and benefits range from $30,569 to $122,258.

Catastrophic event

We will probably see a catastrophic event conveniently occur prior to the next election. It could include capturing bin Laden, or some other event that the president will manipulate for his own purposes. Meanwhile, we continue to shift focus from the major issues affecting Americans, such as the state of the economy, environment and national security. We are hated more than ever due to our current international policy (bullying), and we are in a state of heightened job unemployment, increased corporate corruption and environmental disaster. But all of that doesn't matter, as long as we "get Osama," right?

Lineup or mug shot wanted

How about a lineup or mug shot of everybody who is charged with a gross misdemeanor or felony in Crow Wing County? For my own protection, I would like to know who is doing what kind of crime and if that person is living in or around my community. The Brainerd Daily Dispatch has done this in the past (for some crimes), but I wish they would do it for all crimes of the felony magnitude.

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