Also, let’s look a the steps and lanes salary levels for teachers for comparable towns such as reading and Stoneham at the M-30 level. We are basically at the same amount at the M-30 lane. The reason why the “average is lower” is because Melrose had a wave of retirement a few years back according to the superintendent. As a result 30 percent of teachers are in the first three years and 70 percent have been their less than 10 years.The suggestion they leave at a higher rate than state averages after a few years is nonsense.

Also, let’s look a the steps and lanes salary levels for teachers for comparable towns such as reading and Stoneham at the M-30 level. We are basically at the same amount. The reason why the “average is lower” is because Melrose had a wave of retirement a few years back according to the superintendent. As a result 30 percent of teachers are in the first three years and 70 percent have been their less than 10 years.The suggestion they leave at a higher rate than state averages after a few years is nonsense. Again, look at the steps and lanes increases for comparable communities and then add in the overly generous health care contributions. Not sure why Yes supporters continue to use the same scare tactics playbook that the hard working people of Melrose see through. Probably explains why the override is currently projected to lose by a 3-1 margin.

That so-called "wave of retirement" was Taymore forcing out teachers over 45 (most not actually retirement age or even wanting to retire) with her big toolbox of intimidation and harassment techniques. That's when the district lost great teachers like the legendary Dr. Peterson and brought in a bunch of bottom-rung C- rookies who didn't stand a chance of being hired by more respectable districts. As soon as those low performers have gotten their Melrose-taxpayer-paid master's degree along with their requisite first three years of experience, they've booked it to better-paying districts, appearing to be more qualified, when in fact they are just the repackaged low performers (just like those many administrators who've made their leaps into their Peterson Principle advancements up the chain of highly paying positions as they pass through the Melrose revolving door). Melrose parents are so naive and have no idea that their children are getting a truly sub-par education here.