My point doesn't hinge on Buffalo Grove teachers making 150k per year, although the trend towards suburban school districts paying this much (which was not the case 20 years ago) does offset some of Alexander's claims about teachers.
Even in rural school districts, teachers likely have a pretty reasonable deal: a reliably middle-class (for whatever region) salary, lots of time off, and a defined-benefit pension plan.
In rural school districts, teachers probably are getting a relatively better deal than other residents (compared to 1975), simply because of the hollowing out of the rural economy in the last 40 years.
Still, in the article, when he's discussing healthcare and education, labor force engagement was going off in my head like big flashing lights. I doubt cost disease has a single root cause, but I suspect this is part of it.
I also suspect that defined-benefit pensions play a big role, especially when coupled with increased life expectancy. Corps and unions mutually agreed to kick the can way far down the road in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. I also suspect that regulatory capture and wealth disparity play big roles, too.
Even in rural school districts, teachers likely have a pretty reasonable deal: a reliably middle-class (for whatever region) salary, lots of time off, and a defined-benefit pension plan.