I am responding to your article on the teachers and the sick time they are allotted per school calendar year. I am a nurse, and working in the health care system, I have to counsel employees who exceed 3 percent absenteeism.

We, the taxpayers in the state of Maine, must send a clear message we simply cannot afford the kind of benefits the teachers in this state enjoy.

Also, per 180-190 day work year, with many days off for workshops, vacations in December, February, and April – how may sick days do teachers really need?

I do not disagree that the teachers are exposed to many viruses with sick children, but so are the employees in the health care system.

How many doctors take days off due to illness? Have you ever had an appointment cancelled because the doctor or nurse was ill? Would you like to see a substitute doctor on your next visit because your doctor was ill?

I think we just need to start treating our school systems as we do corporations: if there is no money in the budget for a raise this year, then there is no money for raises.

The state of Maine is one of the most highly taxed states in the nation. When officials begin looking at the school systems to save money, it could benefit all the taxpayers.

Kathy Kimball, Buckfield