Diligence in Penn Delco?

The Penn Delco school board has reached an agreement with its teachers union. The teachers will get a 3.5 percent raise this year. And a 3.75 percent raise over the next three years after that.

In a down economy (one that could get worse before it gets better) you might think holding the line on public employees salaries and benefits might be advisible. But no. While other people are losing their jobs and their homes, teachers salaries continue to rise, thanks to amiable school boards.

Penn Delco shouldn't be singled out. Most districts in this county will continue to offer their teachers raises, while the people who pay their salaries have seen their own stagnant for years.

To quote our story:

Nine months of diligent negotiations bore fruit Thursday when the Penn-Delco School Board and the Penn-Delco Education Association ratified a new four-year contract.

Who's says the negotiations were "diligent" and how do we know the "fruit" they "bore" isn't rotten as well as expensive?

I mean, I'm just askin? I'm willing to be convinced - depending on the details of the new health plan - that it's a decent deal. But from what I've read, it sounds like another school board (and the taxpayers they're supposed to represent) have, once again, been had.