Story Published: Dec 27, 2009 at 7:19 PM PST
So far, it's been nine days without that money in the bank.
"We're all expected to do our jobs and this has been especially painful for a lot of families," Gary Dorman said, Touchet Agriculture and Vocational Teacher.
Sunday, Action News found out teachers like Gary Dorman will have to wait even longer - until the end of the month. The district apparently did send out paper checks but they've been post-dated to the 30th or 31st. The same dates go for direct deposit.
"For me, it's just been frustration," Dorman said. "And I think most everybody - some of the younger teachers who don't have the resources it's been really hard on them."
Veronica Ogden, teacher and mom, told Action News she had to return Christmas gifts and post-pone a skiing trip with her kids. Others have had to take out loans. It's a big impact in Touchet where the school district is the largest employer.
"The process getting to that has been troubling for a lot of the teachers," Dorman continued.
Action news uncovered a string of emails which points the blame in different directions.
On December 14, four days before they were supposed to be paid, Superintendent Dan McDonald sent an email to teachers stating there was a glitch in the system. A few days later, McDonald emailed teachers again, but claimed the problem was with the check processor, WSPIC, instead. Soon after, the Teachers Education Association representative, Cathy Plucker, emailed staff informing them that WSIPC was not to blame, that the problem was with the district itself.
"Well I think everybody would like to know the truth. and where was the breakdown?" Dorman explained. "We would like to know why? Truthfully, why?"
This isn't the first time employees weren't paid on time. The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin reported that Touchet high school coaches were not paid last month and the Middle school coaches went without the month before that.
Now teachers like Dorman want more than money; they want answers.
"Do you fear it would happen again?" Action News asked Dorman. "You would like to think that it would be cleared up because this has brought it to the forefront."
We tried reaching the school superintendent several times, as did the teachers, but so far no one has heard back. Action News also called the union rep for the Touchet School District. We will try to reach the district again tomorrow during regular business hours.
Meanwhile, school leaders will meet tomorrow to talk about the payroll problem
