Lexington County, SC — Thank you for the Oct. 26 report on the high school football coaching salaries in this state.

I moved here in 1978 and could not believe the emphasis placed on high school athletics, especially football. Then, to find out that most of these “teachers” do not even “teach” yet make exorbitant salaries compared to their fellow “teachers” is a travesty. Some cannot comprehend the English language.

This state is great in so many ways, but its education system needs to be turned on its head. There are too many school districts, too many administrators and way too many football coaching salaries.

By my count, there are 23 public schools in the Midlands. Only nine have winning records for football coaches making salaries in the range of $57,964-$106,214. Of the nine coaches making more than $80,000, only two have winning records this year.

I am all for a well-balanced education system and truly believe that extracurricular activities (sports, band, art, drama, chorus, ROTC, etc.) are important to a student’s wellbeing and development. However, I do not think “teachers” should enter that career with the hopes of dropping their teaching duties altogether; we have enough administrators that cover that base.

Jackie Sterling

Lexington