Second Letter of the Week, 3/25/09: Board of Education greed?

[David]

BOE greed
Editor:

The Meriden Board of Education's yearly threat of cutting teachers and cutting sports is getting old.

When you have what I believe to be 8 elementary principals at $85,000 — also 8 or more (as you would like to call them, “instructional associates,” but more like assistant principals) personnel at probably $80,000, or more — 2 middle school principals, 4 assistant principals, 2 high school principals, 4 assistant principals — I figure at an average of $85,000 per top-end jobs (28 jobs) — then the Board of Education needs $2,380,000 for the salaries, without benefits.

So, why are we worried about sports and some teaching positions? It seems to me that cuts should be in administration. But, as we know, the top floor at the BOE likes to hit the real educator.

Stop playing up to the taxpayer (like you care) — it’s obvious the students will suffer, but not by the taxpayers’ fault — it’s by the BOE’s own greed.
TOM VARRATO, MERIDEN

[gene36]

Lets start with cutting the 36 or so BOE administrators making $100,000 or more for what?????

[Common Sense]

If a well to do town such as Cheshire has a policy of 'pay to play' for sports etc., I believe it's time has come for Meriden to do the same. Perhaps on a sliding scale and the student must have at least a C grade level. Whether it is Little League, Jr Football, softball etc there is a fee. There is a rather small percentage of the entire middle and high school population that plays sports, why should we the taxpayer's support that? I also feel that since we have to provide bus service whether a high school student uses the system or not, there should also be a fee to park student vehicles at the High School. To solve the problem of on street parking, put in place time limits when school is in session or ticket and tow.
The Board of Education and School Adminstrators must do more to bring savings to the taxpayer, many of which do not have children in the public school system or never did in the first place.

[CTYankee]

The Board of Education and School Adminstrators must do more to bring savings to the taxpayer, many of which do not have children in the public school system or never did in the first place.

While I agree that the BOE and Administrators should do what they can to bring savings to the taxpayers, I fail to see the connection between that and whether or not a taxpayer has kids in the system now (or ever.) That is a slippery slope. Our society provides public services to all people, and some of the time there are folks who pay for services they don't directly utilize. I was fine with my taxes funding fire departments and police in 2008, despite not having the need to call them to come to my doorstep.

But I believe my community is better because they were there doing a great job last year. The schools are no different.

Having a solid school system is something that we all benefit from.

[Common Sense]

Perhaps I should have worded it differently but your point is taken especially with Public Safety.
The Board of Education has cost the taxpayer's dearly as I said on another post. Especially with the generous retirement package given to the former Superintendent of Schools. Lifetime medical benefits for her, her husband and two adult children. The present Superintendent, who doesn't even have a PHD but is paid as such, threatens to quit but when given a raise and who knows what else decides to stay. The Board of Education needs to account for every tax dollar they spend since they account for around 55% of the City budget. Our country is one of few that provide a free education and we should get the best for our tax dollar. Unfortunately the Meriden public school system has never had a good reputation deservedly or not. Having said that, parent's need to be involved all through their children's schooling no matter where they live, but seem to slack off during the Middle and High School years. You will only get out of any school system what you put into it.
"Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.”
—John Adams. 1776

[oldnickel]

Common Sense:

Many schools charge a few to park, which in my opinion should be high. Plus the streets around the school should be no parking areas (strictly enforced).

It is a slippery slope about not having children in the school system. Just remember, it costs the same whether you have one child or five children in the system. For those of you who had multiple children go through the system, you have actually been underpaying for years, so you should not complain.

I am sure a lot of people are not eligible to use many of the services provided for seniors, are they overtaxed???

[Common Sense]

I think we posted around the same time. Some towns and cities give Seniors a tax break, freeze or credit. Something I doubt will ever happen here.. I am not eligible for any services provided to seniors but do not have a problem with our tax dollars funding them. Some have suggested Seniors who are able to should pay on a sliding scale for the Senior Center etc. I am not one of them. I have great admiration and respect for Seniors and hope to be make it there one day God willing.