The MacIver News Service reports on the average compensation at Milwaukee Public Schools:
2009-2010 school year (aka FY2010) – $56,500 in salary, $95,316 including benefits
2010-2011 school year – $56,500 in salary, $100,005 including benefits (or a 4.92% increase overall)
Meanwhile, according to the Census Bureau, the median per-capita income between 2006 and 2008 in the city was $19,092, with the median family income $42,950. I doubt the average resident in the private sector had $40,000 in benefits to boost their total compensation, or the equivalent of 12 weeks of vacation.
FWIW, average private-sector benefit load is about 25-30% of wage/salary.
It is ironic that Milwaukee Public Schools had the worst record of teaching in the state compared with these salary figures. These folks are getting too much compensation for the quality of teaching that is done. Of course, public schools are hampered by inability to discipline students and student disruption of classes cannot be controlled so this figures into the problems as well. Charles Sykes reports that the problem is a philosophical one and is seen by the fact that johnny can’t read …