Editor, Ceres Courier,

This is a response to the article "Teachers want pay levels restored." Dr. Siegel states, "The offer we made is looking at our budget and figuring out what is available." Replace the word "available" with the words "left over" and, in truth you have the overall attitude that district officials view teachers: In other words, district officials "do [their] budget, and the teachers get what's [left over]." This is why we feel disrespected: we get "what's left over." This is not how it should be; next to the student himself and the parent, the teacher is the most important influence in a child's life and therefore should be paid commensurate with that influence.

In short, when a budget is formulated for the year, teachers should be given a higher priority.

Ben Middleton,
English teacher,
Ceres High School

LETTERS POLICY: Letters to the editor will be considered for publication but must be signed and include an address and phone number. Letters should contain 250 words or less and be void of libelous statements. Letters may be sent to The Ceres Courier, 138 S. Center Street, Turlock CA 95380 or emailed to jeffb@cerescourier.com