Today's Strib (paper version, I couldn't find the article on the Strib website) talks about Mpls. schools Superintendent Carol Johnson's pay (it also discussed St. Paul Superintendent Patricia Harvey's pay, but this is a Minneapolis Issues post).
Quotes from Board members and others go to great lengths to defend the position that $190,000 in pay is justified at the same time there's huge shortfalls that will likely result in cuts in the schools. The article discusses that the Board felt it was cheaper to give a pay raise than put out the expense of finding a new Sup. It also talks about the value of a good Sup. With the above background, let me now offer my humble thoughts. I realize the value of spending a little now if it saves more later and the value of quality products (in this case, a quality leader for Minneapolis Public Schools). However, even with that consideration, I must confess that I am immensely hard-pressed to justify a $30,000 raise to $190,000 in my mind. Let's keep in mind of an expected, what is the amount, $30 million shortfall? How do we say to parents that their children will have to settle for less when a person who was already making more than likely 95% of these parents is now getting a $30,000 raise? Furthermore, when Minneapolis taxpayers voted YES FOR SCHOOLS, I really don't think it was the intent of the taxpayers to pay for administrative pay raises (the article also mentions another $125,000/year for a COO, adding insult to injury) In conclusion, it's these antics that leave many people with the belief that money is being misappropiated and tax increases are unjustified. I would openly challenge Carol Johnson to return her pay raise to either the district or some school related charity (PTA?) and, of course, remain Superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools. Would this return of $30,000 to an immense budget be largely symbolic vs. of practical use? Yes, but it would demonstrate Carol Johnson's desire to run a good school system not only in letter but in spirit also. Gary Bowman Ward 1, Precinct 1 Questioning whether we voted YES for schools or YES for pay raises --------------------------------------------------- Get your free web based email from Crosswalk.com: http://mail.crosswalk.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
