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THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: November 22, 2008

The economic realities of the present moment are stark: the nation's financial system has been teetering on the brink of disaster; businesses are finding it nearly impossible to borrow money; people are having trouble finding the money to buy houses and many of the people who have houses are finding it difficult to keep up with mortgage payments; the unemployment rate is rising; the revenue from taxes and fees governments rely on is coming in way below the estimates of only a few months ago.

Most Americans understand the problems we all face, even if they don't know how to correct these problems. A few people, however, apparently are oblivious to these distressing developments. Some of them appear to be in charge of the United School Employees of Pasco, the union that represents Pasco School District personnel.

With the district facing a budget shortfall of $15 million to $16 million, the School Board is considering tapping district reserves to offset some of that potential deficit. Union leaders, as they bargain for a new contract with the district, say the board should use that money to give teachers raises.

The district has placed a high priority on not firing teachers and other personnel during the current budget hard times. Most employees in the private sector who are just as hard working and deserving as teachers don't have that assurance. That is a reality the union needs to take into account.

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