Almost everyone is doing all they can to cut costs these days, and the Snohomish School District is no exception. As part of its ongoing effort to spend wisely, jobs are being cut districtwide.
For example, 11 bus drivers have been laid off. Fear not! These drivers will be working for the district as much, or more, than they did before they were laid off. They will be working as “substitutes.”
As “substitutes,” they will be doing the same job, but they will not receive any benefits. Good work, SSD! What are you going to do with all the money you save by eliminating medical insurance for women and children?
And that brings me to my point. In January, my husband suffered a near-fatal, on-the-job injury. His recovery and rehabilitation have been difficult and very costly. We lost our medical coverage in March. We now must pay $1,076.10 for a COBRA policy offered by the district. With our income about half of what it was before the accident, we too are doing all we can to make ends meet.
This month, we received a letter from the district informing us that our COBRA payment was 10 cents short. What do you suppose it cost for an employee to produce, prepare for mailing, and place a 44 cent stamp on the letter?
We are squeezing every dime until Roosevelt cries, and I suggest the same for the school district. While looking for ways to cut costs, start by cutting the wasteful practices that have contributed to the financial situation in which you find yourself. As for the 10 cents we owe you, would you like that in cash or check?
Tracy Anderson
Snohomish
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