Here's a word problem for you: If there are 13,500 public school teachers in Hawai'i and 8,500 voted on the hotly debated new contract, why did 5,000 of them abstain?

Apathy? Doubtful. They were probably too busy grading papers, writing lesson plans and taping up the cracked jalousies in their classrooms to cast a ballot on how much they're paid and if Gov. Lingle thinks they're sneaking hits in the break room and teaching under the influence.

Perhaps they decided long ago that they will teach no matter what — no matter how hot the classroom gets, how rotten the kids act, how spooky the parents behave and how insulting their work conditions become. That's not apathy, that's grit.

The ones who did vote did so with a vengeance. They not only cast ballots, they posted comments, wrote letters and called radio shows.

Some teachers asked the "what do I tell my students about this?" questions, feeling that the measure is indefensible.

Perhaps they can frame it this way for the kids:

In life, you will face many tests. Some are fair, some are not. You must be true to your mission. Now take out last night's homework and let's focus on our work.

Others had no fear of any drug test. Bring it on. All you'll find is a couple mocha lattes and a Beard Papa running through this bod. The very idea of testing teachers for drug use is so much a product of the times.

Today's parents might recall the days when teachers smoked cigarettes in the classroom and the only ones who scolded and waggled fingers were the students. It was once common for kids to see public school teachers light up at their desks during lunch recess and after school (while using their break time and off-the-clock hours to counsel kids, help with homework, listen to yet another recitation of "Flowers for Algernon").

These were good teachers with bad habits, and they were judged on their ability to teach, not the nicotine in their system or the example they were setting. It should be so today. Testing for cause is valid and an important safeguard. Random testing is for parolees and residents of halfway houses. Can an addict really run a classroom without being noticed for "acting funny"?

Perhaps those silent 5,000 were just biding their time until the issue goes away. They know how the state works. What are the chances that those lidded plastic cups will ever be passed out to faculty members? There are repair requisition forms years old still pending within the system. If they can't get around to inspecting a dam, will the state get around to inspecting teachers?

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.