To the editor:

As a graduate of Oakville Senior High School and owner of a small business here in St. Louis, I don’t understand why most teachers in the district are complaining about receiving, on average, a 5-percent increase in effective pay over the next two years.

According to the St. Louis Regional County and Growth Association, the per-capita income of someone living in St. Louis County is $33,344. Most teachers in the Mehlville School District will make more than that next year and have an extended summer holiday to boot.

The unemployment rate in the county is more than 8 percent, not including a growing population of discouraged workers — those who have given up looking for work out of frustration.

It might be a good idea for those living off of public money in the school district to say thank you to all the homeowners who have not been foreclosed on and faithfully continue to pay their real-estate tax bills, keeping teachers employed in a difficult economic environment.

Enjoy your summer vacation, teachers. I’ve got to get back to work.

Victor Wendl

Oakville