Wow, what a work environment! The Lake Washington School District secretaries have been working without a contract for 13 months and for low pay while they see the district superintendent, deputy superintendent, chief officer and directors in recent years get raises from $15,755 to $22,225 and know about the cushy retreat in Leavenworth, complete with – a masseuse! The secretaries are the ones who are constantly multitasking and keeping the schools running smoothly, yet they are given little value or respect, especially when it comes to contract negotiations. You know, the lovely retreat and lavish raises are not essential to the functioning of the district, but the secretaries are.

And now those who called in sick March 8 are to be “investigated,” and their salaries for the day withheld pending the outcome. They were told to bring a doctor’s note to verify they were sick. Oh, also on their minds might be the fact that they could be terminated for being sick. I think I’d be sick, too, having to work under those conditions!

Lorrie Melson, retired LWSD teacher, Sammamish