I would like to amplify the description of the contract offer made by the Auburn School Committee to our teachers (article, Sept. 17). The Sun Journal is correct that the School Committee proposes to cover 100 percent of the health insurance cost for our teachers and their children and no longer to subsidize health care coverage for spouses.

However, the article did not cite the other half of the proposal. The elimination of spousal coverage will result in a savings of approximately $800,000. The School Committee proposes to put this $800,000 savings directly into the teacher salary matrix. This $800,000 infusion would increase the teachers’ salary base. As all future salary adjustments would be calculated on the basis of this increased salary, the teachers’ overall lifetime earnings and state retirement benefit would be increased substantially. In addition, this $800,000 infusion would create salary parity with comparable school districts.

David H. Das, Auburn

Chair, Auburn School Committee