My ex-husband is a deputy sheriff and he makes considerably more money than I do, which is probably why he doesn't complain much about his salary. Generally, we get what we pay for in life. A million thanks for printing Joan Layne's letter regarding teacher salaries and the continuous battle for pay and benefit increases. I wholeheartedly agree that teachers are grossly undercompensated. Two of my closest friends are public school teachers, and I respect them more than they know for the career they chose.
Most public servants are underpaid, but it comes with the territory.
But I can attest to everything about Layne's letter. I was a police dispatcher and 911 operator for nearly 10 years, and my husband has been a police detective for 12 years. We too have to celebrate holidays a week in advance sometimes because of our abnormal work schedules. Emergencies don't take a holiday. I did my job because I loved it, not just for the pay.