Dear Editor,
It seems that the local school district is starting to make it a habit of ‘robbing Peter (the parents) to pay Paul? – namely, instituting a ‘student activity fee? to save $192,000 while granting raises to the superintendent and central office administrators and non-union personnel.
A communication sent to all district employees on Oct. 21, 2005, said employees were to be given ‘financial grants? in November. Quoting the official communique: ‘The fund balance that we have achieved is a direct result of working with people who are willing to make concessions when the district’s financial picture is bleak. This year’s budget position is significantly better than that which was projected during negotiations. It seems only fair to show our employee family that we appreciate their work to help us control costs. A one-time grant of $400 will be given to current employees (hired as of 9/30) who have a scheduled work week of 25 hours or more and a $200 grant for those who have a scheduled work week of 24.99 hours or less. These funds are scheduled to be paid on November 18, 2005.?
Believe me, as a retired Clarkston teacher, I think it was great that the teachers, maintenance employees, etc., received a bonus as they are hard-working individuals, and the bonus was well deserved; however, how is it that a lack of funds wasn’t foreseen last October? In fact, the letter stated ‘a dedicated sum of dollars will be set aside to keep youngsters involved in activities at their school. This was part of our overall plan for school reorganization and it is part of the district’s vision.? What occurred between October 2005 and April 2006 to make the budget cuts necessary. I just don’t get it!
I am hoping that the Clarkston News will obtain a copy of the official Oct. 21, 2005, letter and that it will be printed as a matter of public record – a matter which should be of major interest to every taxpayer in the school district.
Carole Hicks
Clarkston