Since when is 20 people considered a 'large group'?

At what point does someone ask these teachers "Why do you feel that your neighbors should suffer the additional hardship of paying for your heathcare and pensions when your performance puts the quality of the education our children receive at 46 out of 50 states?"

At what point does the community of East Greenwich, and the citizens of our state as a whole, begin to question the validity of the numbers and "facts" being tossed around in the media? Moreover, why is the Superintendent of schools bargaining over the airways on conservative talk radio? Teachers in Rhode Island are responsible for paying their own retirement, resulting in approximately 10% of their gross salary being deposited into a retirement account that cannot be touched until the time of retirement. Additionally, East Greenwich is one of the few towns in Rhode Island that does not contribute to Social Security. This means that after a long career, teachers are not eligible to receive Social Security or Medicare unless they take on a second job. This community is in very sound financial status, it is one of the wealthiest in the state. The town has saved millions of dollars in Social Security contributions alone. The teachers have delivered high-quality education resulting in High Performing and Regents Commended schools, and they are currently ranked second in the state. The quality of education in East Greenwich is in no way comparable to that in other areas of our state, all of which contribute to the 46/50 nationwide ranking. The raise that these teachers are asking for is no more than average than would be expected state-wide. It is time for the residents of this town to put their money where their mouth is, for there is no greater investment than in our children. It is time for the school committee to stop playing politics and show the teachers in this town the respect that they deserve.

I think the teachers are wasting their time and making it unfair for students in EG. As a current student of EGHS, I believe they should've done something earlier in the summer to resolve this ongoing issue. Now due to their dilemna, kids will be forced to go to school late June.