I think you just realized that you're wrong. The low teacher salaries that are paid in Utah drive the most qualified away from the profession. The qualified people go to grad school and become administrators or just find some other unrelated job. The only people who stay in a job that pays as low as teacher jobs are the people who can't find other jobs. I don't know about you, but I don't want my child's teacher to be in their position simply because they can't find anything better.

It also encourages those who remain in the profession to put forth the least amount of effort possible. "Contract hours are 7:20-4:45? I'll show up at 7:45 and leave at 4:00. I get paid the same anyways."