Teachers sacrifice

Regarding Mr. Polowski’s letter (June 27), he forgot to blame the teacher’s union for all of the construction and holdups on I-90. Seriously, it’s great the principal’s union voted to take a 3 percent pay cut. But, he didn’t mention last summer they received a 3 percent salary increase and the administrators received a 3 to 7 percent increase.

Teachers and staff have given up three days over the past three years and have not received a COLA or a raise in over four years. Over the next two years, we will see a decrease in our salaries of 1.9 percent each year.

In 2008, I was making more money per month than I do now. Cost of health insurance has increased. Last fall, I paid over $1,000 a month out of my paycheck to cover my family. I had to switch to a less beneficial insurance plan, although I am only a breast cancer survivor of three years.

Tip: Bonds can only be used for buildings and materials, not salaries. The next time you see staff standing on street corners waving signs for the levy, it really is for the success of our kids.

Jenny Rose

President, Spokane Education Association