Ready, Fire, Aim

To the Editor:

My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I read in last week’s Bee that the Board of Education (maybe we should call it the Board of Idiots) passed out raises to certain school administrators.

I wonder if the board has been on another planet for the last few years.  Most workers have seen no pay increases since the financial crisis began in 2008. In fact, many are just glad they have a job.

Unemployment is at a record high level.  Many towns are struggling to sell bonds and meet current obligations.  In the middle of this the board gives out pay raises like Santa Claus.

The superintendent tells us she has seen her pay decline since she didn’t get her performance bonus last year.  Let’s have a show of hands from all of those who didn’t get a bonus last year as well. 

This was all done to maintain parity with what other administrators are being paid in schools that are in towns grouped with Newtown for comparision.  Does the board really think that if these raises weren’t granted that the business manager or superintendent would leave? Give me a break! Actually, if they did leave we would be better off. Maybe we could hire a group that actually listens to the voters.

After all, this is the administration that developed a transportation bid that is at best questionable. On top of that they might have plunged the town into a labor dispute with the owner-operators that may cost a bundle to unwind.  Finally they are about to award a contract that they can’t explain the same way twice.

I think the Board of Education has a mission statement that is based on complete disregard for the sentiment of town residents.  In addition they seem to be living in a different world.  Is their motto , “Ready, fire, aim”?

They all need to be turned out of office.  This sequence of events is so hard to believe it validates the saying  “truth is stranger than fiction.”

R. P. Gottmeier

13 Antler Pine Road, Sandy Hook                      September 24, 2011