After reading the front page of the Arizona Republic, 9/2, I submitted the following editorial.  I hope that it is printed:

     The Deer Valley Unified HR Director, Chuck Hoover, stated that teachers were offered buyouts because they did not want to be there and were ineffective in the classroom.('Schools offer buyouts... - Az. Republic, 9/2)  The truth is that the majority of those veteran, highly-qualified teachers were tired of being under-paid, over-worked, under-appreciated, and having to incur constant cost increases for consistently diminishing benefits.  It is curious that Mr. Hoover claims that the buyouts were teacher-directed, because when the buyouts were first offered, the teachers had to threaten legal action to be able to obtain the same length window-of-opportunity as administrators, for those same buyouts.  Were those administrators tired and incompetent, also?
     The improvement/removal of ineffective teachers is accomplished through agreed upon performance evaluation procedures.  Unfortunately, it is well-known that most administrators are ineffective in performing these procedures.  Why would DVUSD offer monetary incentives, for under-performing employees, especially when experiencing financial difficulties?  That doesn't add up!  Many of those veteran teachers and administrators are now working for other Valley school districts, which are elated to employ these DVUSD 'cast-offs.'
     DVUSD, as other Valley districts, now offers a phased-retirement program, in which eligible employees may now continue working, in their same position, while earning approximately 150% of their previous salary.  Had that program been available, it is almost certain that many teachers would have opted for it, as they could then afford some of the comforts that administrators may take for granted.  Teacher shortage?  Do the math!