Not sure exactly who within the Public School State and Districts that "paper pushers" either of you are referring? Exactly what positions doyou mean?
Based on many conversations with current and retired teachers, high school, generally there are 'chairpersons' for every department.
Their salaries in NYC can be 130k to 150k and seem to do very little. They observe teachers, and many teachers find this to be the scariest part of their job!
But very very few observations lead to discipline or firing (almost never).
The 'chair' figures out scheduling and holds regular department meetings.
Much of the function can be described as 'paper pushing' and rarely has a demonstrable effect on teaching.
The time and money can be better spent.
My feeling is that teachers should teach, and administration should be a separate track, nor is it necessary to pay an administrator teacher salary!
The irony is that, in theory, the best teachers leave the classroom and become administrators.
Just where we don't need good teachers: in an office with a copy machine.
Well, as I said, the entire "Highschool" concept is bogus, bloated, and beguiled.
But, if we insist that they remain operational and in tact:
In Texas, "Chairpersons" or Department heads are paid what I consider a small stipend ($1000/yr). I was a "Group Leader" ($600/yr). Anyway, I know how you loath personal stories so I'll try not to digress, but these people do a wide range of tasks that are quite beneficial: Mentoring new teachers, organizing supplies, coordinating lesson plans, psychoanalyising collegues, meeting with principals to coordinate the activities, budgets, books, standardized test proceedures, etc. Additionally these teachers have an extra planning period, but often teach the most challenging classes (they are most experienced)
We also had a "copy machine room technician" who would only run copies.
Ironically, I find the theory that "The Best Teachers Become Administrators," completely laughable.
HaHaHaHA!
See. I laugh.
Often, Coaches become Administrators.