Do the math

Joe Polowski should have done his homework before he wrote his letter (June 27) attacking teachers for the current budget problems in District 81. Teachers have already taken a 3 percent pay cut from last year, when they had received no raises. So they’re out at least 3 percent. The administrators received raises of at least 3 percent last year and were going to get more this coming year. So they’re not falling behind, and some are still coming out ahead.

As for the generosity of the administrators in forgoing their raises, their magnanimity might be suspect. If teachers were laid off, some of these generous souls might find themselves back in the classroom, dealing with increased class sizes and working for teachers’ pay; their take-home would be considerably less than a 3 percent cut of their present salaries.

Perhaps Joe would like teachers to work for minimum wage, although he’d probably complain that Washington state’s is too high and should be abolished.

Aruba, not a chance. Post Falls, maybe.

Ted Wert

Sagle, Idaho