Reply #104: Not really

[hack89]

Tiny RI has 38 separate school districts - we could save a ton of money with consolidation but the unions resist. Instead, they support local politicians in exchange for juicy contracts that the public can't afford. Newport, for example, provides lifetime family healthcare for retired teachers. Any reasonable person knew that the tax base couldn't support such money - property taxes have skyrocketed. Yet as the school budget goes up none of the money goes to the students - it goes to teacher benefits. So the people of Newport are paying outragous taxes so that less and less money can be spent on students. The teachers have benefits that the average person will never see yet refuse to accept any changes to their retirement plan. So people have had enough. You are right - there is plenty of money. It is just going to the wrong people.