Don't penalize teachers

We fail to see the logic in the argument that "double-dippers" are draining the retirement system. The report does not address the payment made to new hires who would be filling those same jobs. A person who retires does not earn additional service credit. The amount of your pension does not increase because of the additional years worked. That amount is set at retirement, period. The state retirement system would set up a new account and pay additional money for the new hire building toward retirement age. This is an additional cost, not a savings. Public education already benefits from the continued influence of master teachers in the classroom, at a salary far below the level they retired at.

We face an ever-increasing challenge in education to attract and keep qualified, dedicated and compassionate teachers. We need to find more ways to reward them, not balance the budget at their expense.

James and Joanne Fraser

Taylorsville