The teachers unions have done a great P.R. effort in convincing Americans that they are underpaid. In addition to having to work from 9-3 for 9 months out of the year, the can rake in all sorts of dough for running extra-curriculars. Teachers often make over $200,000/year. And yet, they get special tax credits, housing credits, great pensions, and all sorts of goodies.

Newsday reports:

Central Islip, East Islip school district wages posted

BY JOHN HILDEBRAND | john.hildebrand@newsday.com

10:42 PM EDT, April 18, 2009

The statewide debate over teacher salaries is escalating, as an Albany-based think tank has publicly posted names and total wages of nearly 2,500 employees in two of Long Island 's highest-paying school systems.

One surprise for think-tank analysts was that two Central Islip teachers last school year earned more than $200,000 each in base salaries and other compensation. Many teachers get extra pay for coaching and advising student clubs, and those who retire usually get payouts for unused sick days as well.

"You're talking big money beyond the base rate, and that's sort of surprising for a teacher," said Tim Hoefer, a spokesman for the Empire Center for New York State Policy, the conservative think tank that posted the pay data.

One of those teachers, who has taught science in Central Islip since 1967, told Newsday the new postings don't reflect the extra hours he put into coaching and other extracurricular activities. In addition to his teaching salary last year of $146,587, he also received $55,455 in stipends for coaching three swim teams and supervising a summer Learn to Swim Program.

Read the whole thing here

Please, folks! Stop voting "YES" for school budgets every year.