Math shows school priorities are wrong

This is in response to the March 24 letter that asked “what is the average pay of a teacher by the hour worked.”

I live in Marysville, so I will break it down in Marysville School District dollars.

The district actually reduced the number of school days from 180 to 175 this year by exchanging 10 half days for five full days off. Considering two personal leave days and 20 half days, a teacher is in front of students for 163 days.

Teachers are in front of students 55 minutes, five times per day, equating to four hours and 35 minutes per day. This converts to 747 hours per year a teacher is in front of students.

Although actual daily instruction time is 41/2 hours, the state compensates teachers for seven daily hours (21/2 extra) for before/after school prep time. Therefore, they are paid for 1,141 hours per year.

The argument that teachers spend more time in class than students is true, but the state pays for before and after hours. If you talk to salaried-educated professionals you will find they donate plenty of time.

The March 16 letter, “Too many days off impede learning,” asked at what point do we say enough is enough. Our priorities are out of whack, and our children are falling behind Third world countries.

I hope we say “enough” and get our priorities on track before it is too late.

Our kids deserve it.

Dave Parnell

Marysville

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