The two articles referenced in your March 12 issue really caught my eye.

One story — on the front page — discussed the “sick-out” of administrative staff to protest the Lake Washington School District’s (LWSD) unwillingness to address pay for the secretaries supporting the schools and district offices, at a time when senior administrators were receiving annual raises in excess of $20,000 each. The other article — your staff editorial on page six — touted the desire of LWSD administrators to have the opinions of taxpayers heard at budget input public meetings.

I find it difficult to believe that an administration that finds it necessary to selfishly increase its own pay during a budget crisis while not compensating its very own support staff, will pay much more than lip service to the taxpayers who foot the bill.

There would be much more credibility in the request for open input if the senior district administrators FIRST took a pay cut, THEN said, “OK, we set the example. Now help us find some more places we can cut to help us stay within budget.”

It is incredible that in a tough economy when so many families are struggling to make ends meet, that the LWSD administration will complain of having to make the tough budget choices, when something as simple as not boosting their own salary never appears on their radar. Their credibility and their lack of leadership must be called into question.

An open forum to discuss the choices is nothing more than window dressing.

Here is an idea for Superintendent Chip Kimball and all his top administrative executives: Lead by example.

Take a pay cut first, then ask the taxpayers for ideas on how to cut more. You might actually get some good support from us for your budget woes. I’m not holding my breath.

Jay Fiske, Redmond