Let's compare military and teacher pay

I just have to reply to Gary Nystrom's school board rebuttal. His characterization that they are not transparent is in error; perhaps he should look in the mirror. He will definitely see himself. His statements reflect his bias against public education.

While school districts do receive money from the federal government, that money is earmarked for specific programs or equipment and CANNOT BE USED FOR SALARIES.

Regular education classroom teachers’ salaries come from the state and supplemental levy funding. Further, his comparison to military officer pay is also skewed.

A naval Ensign O1 will receive as their base pay $3,395.80 per month for the 2021 year. This amount works out to $40,749.60/year. However, this does not include a housing allowance of $16,380/year, for a base on the coast, or the uniform allowance of $5,194/year. This gives us a total of $62,323.60/year.

Let's not forget hazardous duty pay as Mr. Nystrom indicates. Our service men and women are often sent into dangerous areas and they get paid additional monies, but let's ignore that for now.

Let's look at the beginning teacher salary for Coeur d'Alene. The starting salary for a new, first-year teacher is $40,000. He doesn't mention that this is a false base as the state only furnishes enough to reach $31,895; the school district budget needs to supply the additional money. This means that new teachers can expect to receive no raise during their first five years of service.

Our military officers receive a raise every year of service while in grade, and they have the opportunity to advance in rank due to the acquisition of additional skills. By the way, the military will pay to send officers to school to increase their knowledge and skills. The school district is unable to provide money for additional education and training. Any additional education received and required by a teacher is provided at the cost of the teacher.

Also, teachers do not receive a housing or clothing allowance, even though they are expected to dress professionally and have to live somewhere. Teachers must also pay a portion of their own health insurance as the district will only pay 68% of the cost, but military officers receive full medical coverage at no cost to them.

And let’s not forget that the majority of teachers often provide many school supplies not provided by the district or the state. We know the naval officer is not going to go without the necessary equipment.

If Mr. Nystrom is suggesting that the state, through the individual school districts, pay starting teachers the same salary as a young ensign in the Navy, I totally concur. The Legislature needs to add a lot of money to its budget for K-12 instruction.

By the way, I am fairly familiar with both systems. I am a disabled Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War, and following that I taught science in Coeur d'Alene for 31 years before retiring.

I urge every patron to support their local school district, because every Kootenai County child deserves a good education.

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Lyndon Harriman is a Post Falls resident.