have taught at Lake City High School for 13 years. On Tuesday, I attended one of the saddest staff meetings of my career. We learned that the “MERIT PAY” under LUNA’S PROP 2, calculated based on last year’s test scores, has been announced to districts. Some schools in our district will receive their “full share,” nearly $4,000 per teacher. Some schools receive half that, others a quarter, and most notably, are the schools that will receive “0.”

While some teachers will enjoy a $4,000 Christmas bonus, many hardworking teachers in our district, community and state will receive a kick in the gut. In Coeur d’Alene School District, the correlation between “high-achieving schools” and the highest socio-economic status is remarkably high. Sadly, the teachers working in some of Coeur d’Alene’s most challenging schools will watch as their colleagues spend bonuses that were funded through statewide teacher pay cuts, and earned randomly based on the students that enter their schools’ doors.

My school qualified for half a share of “MERIT PAY.” I too get a Christmas bonus, though I did nothing different last year than I have in the other 12 years of my career. Luna’s Prop 2 pits school against school, teacher against teacher, and breeds resentment and frustration. It is unfair and is NOT good for Idaho’s students, teachers or schools.

My “Merit Pay” is coming from my colleagues’ pockets.

Thanks, but no thanks Mr. Luna.

SANDY MIDGLEY

Coeur d’Alene