WHEN Will ND Do The Right Thing? An “Apple” Isn’t Good Enough

This is nothing new, it's still tragic and actually alarming...

...for many reasons. The lack of pay a school gets in North Dakota is a joke, the problem is that this has been going on for a while now. Remember the old days when a bright red colored apple on a desk was the symbol for a teacher - a man or woman who molds our young/middle/and high school-age kids - Should we think nothing of what kind of salary a vital job they have earns a year? Here in North Dakota, it's not much.

THINK about this for a minute

Gone are the days when a random alarm would sound off, and the teacher and students swiftly rehearsed a single-file walkout to the playground. Active shooters are a real threat in today's world. A teacher is protecting your child - and investing their time and talents in TEACHING OUR children - and what kind of money are we talking about? Well, North Dakota is one of the worst States in America regarding a yearly salary.

Some teachers have had to work at two different jobs - and that's ridiculous

When you are struggling to make a living as a teacher, something is wrong - according to Jamestownsun.com "The latest report on educator pay from the National Education Association lists the average North Dakota teacher salary at $56,792 in 2022-23, ranking No. 37 in the country. North Dakota teachers saw on average a 0.8% raise between 2021-22 and 2022-23, putting the state last in terms of a pay increase that year"  Some seasoned experienced teachers have sought work in other occupations. Teachers have had to decide on leaving something they have felt strongly about their whole life, just to survive. That's not how it should be. You will never be able to replace a smart caring teacher with anything else. Do the right thing North Dakota and pay teachers what they are worth.