Union Teacher I am happy you are employeed.I hope you remain employeed especially if you are in the profession for the right reasons.No I don't homeschool my children,they graduated from the NLR school district a number of years ago and are doing quite well.I just do not agree with the unions as they have the habit of protecting those who are not capable of doing their jobs which in turn always hurts those who are truly deserving of more pay and benefits.But I guess that is the Democratic way.But with all due respect please check your spelling next time.

all of this mess is going to cause parents to pull their children out of pulaski county schools... i mean seriously who wants a poed teacher whos not making enough to pay their bills in charge of our childrens education? If i were a teacher and they didnt want to give me what i want i would simply move my skills to another district. One that knows how to take care of the hard working staff and treat them with the respect needed.

jcarpe, I don't need "protection". I'm still employed with perfect job evaluations. Even if Marty Nix was gone, there would be a new President. You'd still feel threatened I guess? Wonder why that is? Are you employed by this district? Did/Do you homeschool your children? Collaboration and respect are a wonderful thing. Engage in it sometime, you might enjoy it.

I hope that none of the negative comment writing people never have the gall to ask for or want better pay. If it's not fair for a teacher to want more how is it fair for you tt want more.

It will be nice when Marty Nix is gone.And BTW union teacher should not make spelling mistakes.Good teachers don't need a union to protect them,their performance will do that.

@redline1984, yes let the people get paid for what they do. As is stands teachers are the lowest paid educated professionals not only here in Arkansas but across the nation, and their pay pales compared to those who work are employed in the federal positions, professional sports players, even the average management position. Ref: payscale.com

Here are some additional facts. Information obtained with the state's FOI Act revealed that the three members of the hearing panel were paid $60/hour, plus mileage reimbursement, for their efforts. At the hearing last night (I was there), the PCSSD also had two attorneys. One of them costs taxpayers $250/hour; I don't know the figure for the other one. For a District that claims "fiscal distress" to attempt to justify illegally trying to break contracts, and bust unions, they certainly are finding a lot of money to fund this futile effort. The proof that this entire effort is, and has been, illegal, is coming, in court, very soon -- and taxpayers aren't paying for the attorneys working with the unions. Those trying to destroy everything good about the PCSSD may be able to fool some people, but they do not fool me, and they will not fool a judge.

lol. let people get paid for the job they do.

We want to work. We continue to work EVERY single day that they chip away at our benefits and your (taxpayers) dollars. The only consistent positive thing is that we (teachers) continue to work despite the Central Office's attempt to run us off. It would be different if we set our own salary. The district agrees with us on a legally binding contract and then who I'll refer to as "the powers that be" comes along, uses that good ole boy connection and tries to make a name for themselves in dissolving a "union". We are a PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION. Dr. Guess will make a half a MILLION dollars in two years and leave us in yet another mess that we had noting to do with. This isn't Camden. This is the big city. People feel they can come up to Pulaski County and get rich being over such a large district. Sad news is, it continues to work. We've bought out contracts and continue to pay these people as they roll in. They divert the attention to and blame the teachers for everything. That stirs the "union haters" and "public school haters" and it fuels the fire. I ask you, when is enough enough? Do you know how many school supplies I could buy with just the money that was wasted tonight alone? Teachers work through lunches and don't charge and receive money for it from the district.Dr. Guess has. We buy school supplies for our students, though this year we will drastically have our salary cut. We are the ones in the classroom with the children. Not these folks who are sucking us dry. Not one teacher has the authority to spend money or write checks. The superintendent and the central office administration continue to create this mess year after year. Why can't the district be held accountable? This teacher is tired being a scapegoat! Taxpayers, it's time to take control of your district. At least, be aware.

Let's see. I have people who disagree with me. So I get three retired buddies, pay thm $60.00 an hour plus mileage, and let them decide if I'm right or those other people are right. And that trio decides in my favor! What a shock.