Grand Rapids teachers say paycheck cuts qualify them for food stamps
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Tina Ratliff never expected her teaching career would qualify her for public assistance.
The second-grade teacher at Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Burton Elementary was among nearly 150 teachers summoned by their union’s crisis team to pressure school officials Monday, March 4 to settle a pending contract and do something about applying a state law limiting what school districts and other public employers pay for employee health insurance premiums.
Since Feb. 15 when the district began deducting back health insurance premiums over what it’s allowed to pay under the state’s Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act of 2011, Ratliff said morale among teachers has suffered dramatically and a sort of depression has set in. Some are losing $300 per pay check.
“I am a five-year teacher who brings home $555.39 for two weeks and who currently qualifies for a Bridge Card,” Ratliff told the school board Monday to loud applause from her colleagues. “How is this possible?"
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would qualify for food stamps.
No raises for two years so far, and no step increases, either, because the Lege cut contributions to schools by $5.4 billion to keep a fatter balance in the state rainy day fund.
One innovation: they are paying a bonus amount for every semester you don't quit. Now THAT's an incentive!!!! 
Why the United States is so far behind in many subjects of education. If we pay our educators so little that our own government thinks they need extra assistance to obtain food and basic needs, then what kind of state of mind do we think they are in while going to work and educating the youth and future of this country?
