In the Sunday New Orleans Times Picayune it's reported that Jefferson Parish will import approximately 60 Philippine teachers for the 2008-2009 school year.

The reason? Jefferson parish says it can't get American teachers to fill the vacancies. Their starting pay will be the same as currently working Jefferson teachers that are Americans. 39,000 to 54,000 per year based on experience and education. FULL ARTICLE HERE http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/inde ... xml&coll=1

Trouble is The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) reports that the national average of teachers pay is $46,500.
Louisiana is ranked 42nd in average pay and 26th in starting teachers pay. http://www.aft.org/salary/index.htm

So Jefferson parish will import teachers at the same pay instead of raising salaries to entice American teachers.
Some Questions?
Did Jefferson parish actively try to recruit teachers from the other 25 lower paying states?
Who will pay the cost of the guest worker/teachers?
Whom approached whom first, The School board or the Outsourcing Company?

What's wrong with this picture? Government is taking a page directly out of the big business play book. Importing teachers/workers at lower salaries will continue to depress Louisiana teacher's pay and not keep up with inflation.

Jefferson Parich School Board http://www.jppss.k12.la.us/schoolboard/ ... /index.htm

Me http://unclesamchez.bravehost.com