It's pretty good but not, by any means, mind-blowing. The idea that it is "too much" is, I think, indicative of the underlying cause of the poor education system in the US: people talk like they want the best system money can buy, but they behave in a way consistent with the desire for merely the cheapest system money can buy.
A "pretty good" salary will only, at best, attract "pretty good" educators. If you have truly great teaching ability, there's more money to be made outside of the public education system.
Or it will attract VERY passionate people who feel like their efforts aren't appreciated when everyday they feel under the gun for living the "lifestyle."
They are passionate and knowingly traded money for good benefits. And then people throw the benefits in their face and say they deserve less money. Mind boggling!
You summed it up well, and this is what my whole post was alluding to, about whether people want the best system or the cheapest system. Policy seems to speak to the latter.
A "pretty good" salary will only, at best, attract "pretty good" educators. If you have truly great teaching ability, there's more money to be made outside of the public education system.