I came close to beginning a teaching career in Oregon in 1974, but by chance took a different path after student teaching and graduating from Portland State University. What follows is at least partly jealousy, I acknowledge:

I recently reviewed the database (published under duress) listing the monthly payments to all PERS retirees. Like many of you, I know several retired teachers and administrators from careers in Oregon. It was easy to find their retirement income in the database.

I also recently had the opportunity to meet up with a good friend who still teaches in Wisconsin. This very talented teacher discussed in great detail how much she and most of her acquaintances support the recall efforts of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Walker’s success in producing a balanced budget aside, my friend’s right as a teacher to bargain collectively has been restricted by him and she is furious. I had to tell her about my findings of teacher retirement paychecks in Oregon. My teacher friends who have recently retired receive PERS benefits of between $5,000 and $8,000 per month. She couldn’t believe that amount and asked how that could happen.

Welcome to collective bargaining where both sides of the bargain are reaping the rewards of very generous retirement benefits.

You truly have to read the database yourself to believe it. Not bad for nine months of work with three weeks of vacation plus 12 weeks off to recharge your batteries during the summer months. If only I … coulda, woulda, shoulda.

Phil Burgess

Prineville