Lexington County, SC — The Oct. 26 story, “5 of highest-paid coaches in Midlands schools,” said that “Lexington-Richland 5 has 61 coaches earning salaries of $50,000 or more. Lexington 1 has 58.”

This is horribly misleading. Other than the athletic director (who is an administrator), coaches receive the majority of their salary as classroom teachers. Coaches receive a supplement for their after-school duties. In Lexington-Richland 5, a varsity football assistant coach with 10 years of experience receives $3,600 for 16 weeks of coaching responsibilities that involve 30 or more hours per week. That’s about $7.50 per hour.

Educators are dealing with enough issues without The State committing a personal foul against men and women who sacrifice their time for other people’s children.

Jay C. Byars

West Columbia