Bednarowski Reflects on Lucrative Retirement

Handy Ranson Hudson Star-Observer
Published Friday, April 20, 2007

Tom Bednarowski became a teacher because of a summer job he once had.

As a high school student in Menasha, he worked for the city’s recreation department coaching baseball and supervising parks.

“That got me working with kids and liking kids,” he says. “That’s where I decided to go to college and become a teacher.”

“I don’t know why the kids like me. I’ve always had that,” says Tom Bednarowski, who will retire at the end of the school year after 33 years of teaching. He has spent 32 of those years teaching U.S. history to Hudson eighth- and ninth-graders. Photo by Handy Ranson

Tom Bednarowski became a teacher because he loves having the summer off. Three months in the summer, two days in October, three days in November, 2 weeks for Christmas, and a week for spring break, plus various and assorted holidays. Plus don’t forget those sick days, personal days and a little vacation during the school year as well. All told he figures that he only works 7 ½ months during the year for a $63,000 a year job.

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After 33 years of part-time work for full-time pay (32 of them in Hudson), the pompous and arrogant eighth-grade U.S. history teacher will call it a career at the end of the school year.

"I like teaching. Where else can you work 7 ½ months a year, can’t get fired because of the archaic tenure system and get to retire so early?" the 55-year-old says. "I’m just retiring because I have one of the greatest retirement packages known to mankind." "I get 70% of my salary, which equates to $45,000 per year, PLUS I get full medical, dental, and eye care that is 95% paid for by the taxpayers until I reach 62." "At that point Medicare and Social Security both kick in." "I will be making more in retirement than when I was working." "Can you do that Handy?"

Asked about his plans, he laughs and says, "I plan on working less than I do now, if that’s possible"

His wife, Mary, a nurse for the River Falls School District, is still employed but not for long.

"Next year, she’ll retire and we’ll really be sitting pretty," Bednarowski says. "I want to travel, for sure."

He’ll leave teaching with a wealth of taxpayer funded goodies.

"I’m sure every teacher tells you they enjoy working with the kids. I’ll give you the same b.s. line," he says. "But the fact that you can retire in luxury and only work 7 ½ months a year will help you to survive for 33 years. If you don’t have a 100% taxpayer funded pension to work for, and $20,000 health insurance policy that’s funded 95% by the taxpayers, then I don’t think you can retire at 55 like I’m going to do."

He came from a working-class background and appreciates what an education can do for people. His dad, a maintenance planner for Kimberly Clark Corp., also pumped gas and ran an outdoor movie theater in the evenings to make ends meet. He tells this story in order to set up the next part, which is a really whopper.

He recalls his parents making sacrifices so his two older brothers, and then he, could go to college.

"They knew that education was important," he says.

That’s why some of the concerns that decent hardworking taxpayers have about the cost of government run education is discouraging to him.

"I just don’t see why they don’t want to pay 100% of my pension and 95% of my health care," he says. "They're all losers, each and every one of them."

"My kids are out of school, but I’ll do anything for River Falls schools," he says. "I think that’s part of the game. My parents paid taxes. I pay taxes. We all have to pay taxes. And they’re outrageous sometimes, but are they being wasted?" "Heck, for me taxes are a great investment." "I mean give it some thought Handy, here’s how it goes- I pay maybe $3000 in property taxes and around $3000 in state income taxes, in return I get $45,000 a year in a pension (with cost of living adjustments) and the taxpayers foot the bill for 95% of my $20,000 heath care policy until I reach 62." "I know I’m a little slow, but that a $64,000 return on a $6000 investment!" "Does it get any better than that?"

Bednarowski Reflects on Lucrative Retirement

Handy Ranson Hudson Star-Observer Published Friday, April 20, 2007

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Handy Ranson Hudson Star-Observer
Published Friday, April 20, 2007