I’m an avid reader of Ken Vance’s editorials, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve disagreed with his views/comments up until the May 27, 2015 editorial regarding current teacher disputes.
I was both surprised and disappointed to read, “But, a dramatic raise in salary that will attract the cream of the crop away from other professions ….” which I read to mean the proposed dramatic raise is for teachers. But this statement was made by one of our legislators (May 7, 2015 article in The Columbian) and was referring to the proposed 11 percent raise for our legislators in Olympia who work fewer hours per year than a typical part time retail store employee.
Teachers are not asking for exorbitant raises. They are asking for reinstatement of COLA increases and reasonable raises. Most teachers are taking home less per year for several years primarily due to the increased health insurance costs.
Admittedly, most teachers go into the profession not because of the salary but for their love of children and a calling to make a difference. But classroom teachers put in many more hours than they are paid for. I believe the average citizen doesn’t have a clue what a classroom teacher’s job expectations really are.
In a separate letter, Mr. Steven Nelson wrote that according to Randy Dorn we enjoy a student teacher ratio of 19.5 to 1. This is inaccurate because the “teacher’’ used for the calculation included other district employees such as nurses, library, and counselor personnel.
The real ratio between “classroom teachers’’ and students is in the 20-25 (or more) range.
Mr. Nelson talks about voter approved (2007) I-732, providing teacher COLA increases. Our legislature has never implemented I-732. Teachers have not received COLA increases for at least seven years. He also writes about “… legislature’s proposed increases …” as if they are reality, but until actually passed they are simply smokescreens and pipe dreams.
Would you work at a job that: a) had no pay increase in at least seven years; b) out of pocket expenses for health insurance have risen annually during that time; c) you are “expected’’ to provide many tools that are supposed to be provided to you? Many professions expect employees to pay for tools, but public education is supposed to be totally funded. You must also take work home nightly, on weekends and holidays, and even while on vacation. Not a job you’d like? This is all routine for Washington State teachers.
Walt Elliott
Amboy
