Letter to the Editor: A Valuable Education is Worth the Price

Why are high-priced teachers bad for the community?  

I’ve read a local contributor, “Nicolet teachers are the highest paid in the state.” This is true ($103,315 salary/benefits), but misleading.

is the sole, high school-only district in the listing. Mequon, Whitefish Bay, and other area districts include the feeder schools. If the average included those salaries (Maple Dale-Indian Hill, Fox Point, Glendale-River Hills), the “district” average drops to $93,100. This is the second highest behind Mequon-Thiensville ($95,297).

Again I ask, “Why is this a bad thing?”

In principle, I agree with shared sacrifice. Also, I believe the teachers union has failed by not addressing the last-in/first out seniority issue. There has to be a mechanism to retain young talent. However, this should be tempered with pragmatism.

Historically, Nicolet consistently produces students who successfully compete globally. This is a testament to the quality education parents are looking for and why I chose to move into the district. Therefore, I say the price is worth the value of the education. Never once in this argument has anyone on the anti-referendum said they can get a better product for a lower price.

In my opinion, value means getting what you pay for. We pay our teachers well and we expect them to continue to produce excellence!

Darren Fisher
Maple-Dale parent
Fox Point