First of all, the $3500 referred to in the article didn't totally happen, since there were miscalculations, etc. Finally last month we(teachers) did get some of that, but not the full amount that was brought out in the media.
Also, it is so amazing to me that Governor Huntsman thinks that by extending the contract year for teachers in order to pay them more, is going to be the answer to all the public school problems. HELLO!!! If there is not enough money to pay teachers decent salaries now, what makes him think that by having the teachers teach more days, it will help the teachers'salary issues. All that implies, is that he is willing to pay the teachers better, as long as we teach more days. Crazy plan! Teaching is a very stressful job, and most teachers experience some burnout without having fewer days off to regroup, etc.
Just an added note.....if I could have 1/10th of a professional athlete's salary, I'd be siked..but then isn't their profession way more important than teaching our future?!!??!