The rest of the United States take note:

While collecting bargaining is a hot topic in Ohio, Wisconsin, Kentucky and elsewhere, observe how the Bluffton school board and Bluffton school administrators handled pay raises for the 2011-12 school year.

The two groups agreed that no pay increase will take place for administrators next school year.

Realizing that issues such as this can divide states, congressional districts, counties and even school districts, The Icon congratulates the board and administrators on coming to an agreement on this issue as it did.

While not intending to open the spigot on the subject, we realize that across the U.S. this issue is complex. It's interesting to see one small chuck of the puzzle resolved by at least one group for at least one year - and it occurs in our own community.

It certainly could have turned out differently, but it didn't.

Perhaps we should post a sign at the edge of town: No gridlocks here.