How ‘basic’ are teachers’ salaries?

As the Legislature struggles to come up with a way to fund basic education I just have one big question: Who is defining “basic” education?

I would guess it is the Washington Education Association who has the most influence. After spending approximately 25 years in the clerical end of the public school system here in Washington I have seen the power of the WEA. School administration officials bow down to them like they are a god.

Go to any school district website and look at the convoluted contracts for teachers. They get paid for everything they do. Remember that teachers work 180 days per year, seven hours per day, with some of those being half-days. That equates to 36 weeks of work, 16 weeks of non-work. How many of you make $50,000 to $100,000, get four months break and a very, very generous benefit package and then are allowed to go on strike?

Don’t get me wrong, I value all the teachers who had a part in my son graduating from Snohomish High School, getting almost a full-ride scholarship to Stanford University. But how much is enough and just what is “basic”?

Kathy Horton

Everett