Richard Sabine wrote Aug. 27 that he is keeping track of the Lewiston teachers’ contract, of which he is disdainful.

He compares Auburn’s demographics with his grandchild’s school in Montgomery, Vt., stating that the sixth-grade class there scored 96 percent proficiency, much higher than that of Auburn’s, and he insinuates that the problem is that teachers only work the minimal amount required by their contract.

First, unlike Lewiston-Auburn, Montgomery is a very small town (total population, 1,201). Its student/teacher ratios are lower than here. Sabine omits that Montgomery teachers have the same number of instructional days as local teachers.

Second, the Lewiston contract requires “additional hours by the employee, either at the request of an administrator or parent to best meet the needs of the system and/or its students.” Teachers must work more that the minimum specified in the contract.

After a 37-year teaching career, all in Lewiston, I know first-hand how many hours teachers work. When I tracked my total hours in an average school year, and divided those hours by 40, I found that I was working the equivalent of 50 weeks a year. I am not an exception, either.

Third, Sabine has not given any helpful commentary about how to benefit students or increase test scores. I recommend that he volunteer at one of the area’s schools, then go do the same in Montgomery. Through self-discovery, he will have a legitimate way to compare and offer legitimate suggestions.

Carmen Dufresne, Auburn