[neap24]

True, but given the technical age we live in, I think supply costs are rapidly diminishing. I also happen to think that "school supplies" are vastly overrated (having taught in Teach For America in an underserved school myself). Furthermore, why do you think that an incentive for advanced degrees/specialization is a good incentive? I think that's the worst kind. The teachers I've met with advanced degrees do not even seem to correlate with the best teachers.

I'm not saying your point isn't defensible, it's just that saying teachers/districts are underpaid is far from the obvious answer.