WHY PUBLIC OPINION HAS TURNED AGAINST TEACHERS
I was listening to a call in radio show yesterday and the topic was Chicago teachers and their current voting whether or not to authorize a strike. The majority of callers were very angry with the teachers and extremely frustrated by the teachers’ demands. That was typical of a fairly recent phenomenon in which public opinion has turned against teachers.
I’ve written before about the reasons for this, but I now think I have uncovered the primary reason. I’ve written about the lack of personal responsibility in our current society. If a student isn’t succeeding, it’s the teacher’s fault, unlike in years past when it was considered a failing on the part of the student themselves and their parents. I’ve written about the incredibly effective job that the big moneyed “reformers” have done in blaming teacher unions. I’ve cited the role of the press in making headlines about every ridiculous teacher action.
The list of reasons is very lengthy and I’ve written about all of them before, but the primary reason is the current housing crisis, and how it has turned homeowners against public education and teachers. Like most problems in our society, it all comes down to money.
The majority of homeowners in the past have always complained about property taxes. Complaining about high property taxes is as American as apple pie. While most homeowners complained about how much money went to local schools and to teacher salaries, they didn’t complain too loudly because they knew that good schools require money, and when their neighborhood schools were good, the value of their house would also be good and continue to rise as it had always done. Homeowners outwardly complained about property taxes, but inside they were giddy that their house continued to soar in value. They were willing to support decent teacher salaries and benefits as long as their precious home value kept rising and they knew their “golden years” financial security was guaranteed by the thousands of dollars they had in the form of home equity.
Now that most homes have declined in value while property taxes haven’t, and many homeowners have lost all the years of equity they had accumulated, it’s time for the homeowners to find an outlet for their rage. Guess whose salary is paid with property taxes? Guess who has comfortable retirement plans while homeowners have lost their secure retirement when their home equity vanished? Guess who dares to ask for a modest raise and continued benefits while homeowners feel they have “lost everything”? Guess who has the nerve to talk about a strike when homeowners are trying to save every penny and eating mac and cheese four nights a week? Guess who’s responsible for the homeowners’ children that aren’t successful in school, the same people who have “outrageously high salaries”?
I have a strong feeling that if the housing crisis had never happened, teachers would not be losing the public perception battle. If teachers are to regain the high ground in the area of public relations, we need to find a new way to fund schools and end the property tax burden on homeowners. Until the current housing crisis ends, teachers are going to continue to be a scapegoat for angry and frustrated homeowners.
I think you’re close to capturing the public sentiment, but not quite there yet.
You’re dead right when you say that when economic times are good, which has to include a feeling of confidence that the huge sum of money one has invested in housing will yield a positive return, that folks don’t complain about public sector comp and benefits. In fact, that don’t even think about it.
But when folks fear their home is losing value, that the chances of losing one of both of the income streams are uncomfortably high, and that one’s way of life is in jeopardy of being radically changed, they understandably lash out at public employees who seem to have stable jobs, great benefits, a real pension, and yet still seem to want more.
What’s missing is a rational examination of the facts, mixed with a large helping of empathy – by both camps.
Things are scary in the private sector, and it’s no joke. My property taxes are the single largest check I write every year, and it’s been steadily climbing. Meanwhile my income has dropped to zero. Not because I took a bath in the stock market, but rather because my retirement planning was based on getting 3-5% interest income on CDs and school bonds. There is no such thing today.
The teachers in this state (Ohio) have been clamoring for decades to have schools funded by the State from income tax revenues, rather than locally via property tax revenues. That’s a wish they really don’t want to come true, because when the economy tanked, income tax revenues tanked with it, causing many states and municipalities to immediately start laying off folks – as states and municipalities can’t just print money like the Federal govt.
Meanwhile, teachers and school employees were insulated from most of that. As you say, property taxes are much more stable than income taxes. Here in Ohio, it goes one step further in that when a property tax levy passes, the amount it collects on a piece of property stays constant regard of any future reappraisals of the property’s value. Again, the teacher bemoaned that this kept them from getting automatic raises as property values were climbing. But it’s also protecting them from layoffs as property values have collapsed.
I’m far from being destitute, but chances are very high that I’ll have to sell the home we built to raise our kids and where our family gathers for important events, not because I’ve squandered all my retirement savings, but because our government has chosen to push interest rates to zero, killing my income, while the ever-rising cost of comp and benefits for our teachers is making my property taxes unaffordable.
Democracy depends on informed, empathetic debate. Passion is okay – a good thing. But when it’s passion coupled with ignorance and selfish – you get the America we have today.
savehilliardschools
June 7, 2012 at 11:34 am
I’ve been closely following politics for all my life and I’ve never seen anything like what’s going on in this country today.
alkleen
June 7, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Here’s a good piece by an old friend and colleague who has become one of the country’s best leadership coaches:
http://builders4builttolead.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/peace-is-on-the-other-side-of-this/
savehilliardschools
June 7, 2012 at 11:37 am
The economy gave enemies of the public employee a rare opportunity to lead a very effective propaganda campaign. People were a lot more open to hearing from the “less government”, champions of corporate America, when the economy went south. Suddenly we started hearing a lot about “The single most important factor in a child’s education is the teacher!” “we’re declaring war on BAD TEACHERS” “The quality of teachers has declined!” “Class size really isn’t that relevant.” “tenure protects BAD TEACHERS, not good ones.” “Teachers can be judged based upon their student’s test scores.” Its all garbage, but humans are amazingly susceptible to garbage in dire economic times.
Greg
June 7, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Nicely stated, Nelson. Teachers are also responsible for global warming, tsunamis, earthquakes and every affliction known to man. If we just get rid of all the incompetent teachers, the world would be perfect.
alkleen
June 7, 2012 at 11:19 pm