To the editor:

Hooray for George Lippencott who tells it like it is in his Public Forum letter of April 10. Yes, new school board members were elected on April 5 and, on April 6, there appeared the usual plea by Lawrence school teachers for a raise. Way to help the economy! And, yes, way to test the promises of new members who will join the school board on July 1.

Unfortunately, too many of today’s teachers are not deserving of raises, just as they are not deserving of respect. One might go back to a lack of skills and behavior taught in schools of education. In addition, many teachers dress in blue jeans and overalls and allow students to call them by their first names. As a result, students who do stay in school are ill-prepared for college — or society.

For so many reasons, in addition to those Mr. Lippencott addresses, teachers need to EARN raises, not expect across-the-board increases.

And whoever approves raises should remember that teachers are in the classroom maybe eight months out of the year, what with vacations, holidays, school breaks, summers off, etc. Why should they expect to be paid a 12-month salary, especially when few students meet advanced placement in college, if they even go on to college. Let’s put the emphasis on the quality of education. These kids are tomorrow’s leaders, and God knows we need some decent ones.