I'm all for public school teachers...

but, sometimes I have to wonder about their union. According to this article, at a failing school in Rhode Island, a high school Principal wanted the teachers to do extra training (for which they'd be paid), and extend the school day 30 minutes. The changes were deemed necessary because the school's graduation rate is under 50% -- and at any given time about 50% of the students are failing. Granted, academic success is significantly impacted by outside factors, especially poverty -- but, isn't that why the additional tutoring time is needed?

The teachers there make $72,000-$78,000 per year, in a town with a median income of $22,000. Stop and think about what it would be like, in your area, to make nearly four times the median income. Heck, stop and think about what it would be like to have a salary of $78,000 and no research requirements. To having that salary while still coming close to actually HAVING the summer off -- even if it entailed working a 50-60 hour week during the school year.
I sincerely doubt these teachers have multiple advanced degrees. Even taking grading etc.. into account, being on campus until 3:00 isn't a horrific punishment... for the salary they make.

The union flatly rejected the changes, even when they were told that if they did so, all the faculty and staff would lose their jobs -- essentially, they'd clean house and hire new teachers.

Of course, it's the union that got them their salaries to begin with -- so, maybe it's "live with the union, die with the union"... hmmm.