L.A. Unified’s payroll snafu

Re “Someone’s got to pay,” editorial, May 1

I was gratified to see the editorial about the Los Angeles Unified School District’s payroll fiasco. Unlike kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers, adult-school teachers like myself are paid hourly. We were sure this new payroll system would be disastrous, but bureaucrats turned aside our repeated warnings.

Many teachers have suffered real economic setbacks, but some are incalculable. One of my colleagues wished to see her ailing grandmother in Mexico. At the end of March, she got a check for 30 cents and had to cancel her travel plans for spring break. She received her replacement check May 2. The district paid more than $95 million for this payroll software.

PHILIP LEEMAN

Los Angeles

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As if L.A. Unified didn’t have enough problems, another one has been added to the list, a problem that may have teachers running: incorrect pay. The new $95-million payroll system has caused nothing but headaches for employees, and the problem doesn’t seem to be getting better. Employees are being shortchanged or not paid at all and are expected to get by.

Without a regular paycheck, I doubt employees are very motivated to do their work well, and an unmotivated staff leads to poor teaching. Students get to pay the price for mistakes they could not control.

LYNETTE MARTINEZ

Northridge