While our country elects a president, a civil war divides Geneva. Its teachers want a raise, but the board of education, supported by community tirades against union demands, offers what amounts to a salary freeze. If late talks fail, teachers will strike.

With District 304 buried in debt $300 million deep, many townspeople believe educators (or the union) remain insensitive to our fiscal trauma.

The taxpayers have a point – when up to your neck in debt, sinking deeper can be life-threatening. In private schools, 2008’s stock market decline and recession hurt enrollment, putting the skids on salary hikes and retirement contributions; no money, no raises.