Share the pain

I understand what the instructional staff of the Spokane school district is going through with all the notifications of non-renewals. Some years ago I experienced the same troubling situation. I was in my third year as a teacher and coach when I received my “Reduction in Force” notice. We had just bought a home for our three children, found a church, and began enjoying fitting into a very pleasant community.

The stress and uncertainty was almost unbearable. In my situation, the school district was able to find me another position. I went from junior high art and photography and football and track and field coach to a 5th-grade classroom. I wasn’t even sure what a 10-year-old looked like and now I was about to be in charge of helping them fulfill their educational needs. Happily, it did work out – although the first few weeks were a little “shaky.”

May I offer a suggestion to the leaders of the Spokane school district? You have at least 40 or 50 people at your main office downtown who are making at least $100,000 a year. How about adjusting their salaries a bit and putting the savings into the budget for teacher salaries?

Stan E. Hughes

Spokane