When a teachers union opposes a ballot measure that would increase teachers pay, you know their must be a poison pill included in the language of the initiative. As unlikely as it seems, that's just what's happening in Oakland where the local teachers union is actively opposing a ballot measure that would levy an additional property tax to the tune of $120 per parcel.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle:

• Measure N was placed on the ballot by Vince Matthews, the state administrator who oversees the district's finances. (The board lost fiscal authority in 2003, when Oakland schools went bankrupt.)
  
  Noel Gallo is the lone school board member who supports the parcel tax. He said Oakland students suffer because their low-paid teachers quit the district in droves each year. With a starting salary of $39,000 - compared with San Francisco's $52,000, for example - Oakland teachers are the lowest paid in the Bay Area, Gallo said.

The need for this ballot measure is quite simple. The best teachers command the best pay and benefits. Judging from Oakland's high crime rate, particularly violent crime - Oakland Unified, one of the worst performing districts in the state has placed no premium on good teachers and predictably watch them leave for greener pastures elsewhere.

But, Measure N is not good enough. 15 percent of its revenues would provide Charter Schools where teachers are non-union, therefore the teachers union opposes the measure.
Certainly, it appears that circumstances call for the union to swallow its pride and take what money they can, subject to voter approval of course. Clearly, many people have lost faith and trust in public education, but lets not slam the union just yet.

Given that the measure needs a two-thirds vote from the electorate for passage, one could see their opposition as a strategic tactic to bring charter school companies to the table to recognize unions so that public school and charter school teachers could potentially organize and bargain together for increased pay and benefits.

Of course, none of this is known to be the case, not publicly anyways. Keep in mind, this was placed on the ballot by a government administrator, not a band of teachers and parents. Lets hope for the best, our kids will need it.

The need for this ballot measure is quite simple. The best teachers command the best pay and benefits. Judging from Oakland's high crime rate, particularly violent crime - Oakland Unified, one of the worst performing districts in the state has placed no premium on good teachers and predictably watch them leave for greener pastures elsewhere.

But, Measure N is not good enough. 15 percent of its revenues would provide Charter Schools where teachers are non-union, therefore the teachers union opposes the measure.
Certainly, it appears that circumstances call for the union to swallow its pride and take what money they can, subject to voter approval of course. Clearly, many people have lost faith and trust in public education, but lets not slam the union just yet.

Given that the measure needs a two-thirds vote from the electorate for passage, one could see their opposition as a strategic tactic to bring charter school companies to the table to recognize unions so that public school and charter school teachers could potentially organize and bargain together for increased pay and benefits.

Of course, none of this is known to be the case, not publicly anyways. Keep in mind, this was placed on the ballot by a government administrator, not a band of teachers and parents. Lets hope for the best, our kids will need it.