Letter: Step increases provided fair pay
Entrepreneurs are making forays into education services. One offers teachers a platform to swap what works in the classroom. Credit: Getty Images
I was amazed at the opinion from columnist E.J. McMahon .
Step increases in salary for annual and postgraduate credits were instituted because school districts could not pay teachers adequately at the start of their careers. Over 15 to 20 years, a teacher would reach the salary that could not be paid at the beginning. In the private sector, a person's starting salary reflects their experience and degrees.
There would be absolute chaos if the Triborough Amendment were repealed. The employee and employer would be negotiating all parts of the contract each time a contract expired.
I am surprised that McMahon would see this as a solution to resolve the budget crisis. Get real.
John P. Gould, Garden City
Editor's note: The writer is a retired teacher who was the president and chief negotiator for the Island Park Faculty Association.
