Post by title1parent on Apr 6, 2010 5:20:01 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/opinions/2140023,2_4_AU05_LETTERS_S1-100405.article
Letters to the Editor
Beacon 4/5/10
April 5, 2010
Four-day school plan ignores salary issue
I wanted to express my opinion about having kids attend schools four days a week rather than five. Two of our state representatives voted in favor of this proposal, and neither of them has children who would be affected by this proposal. I fear that a reduction in class time would shift the burden of educating from the teacher to the student and parents, which in many cases would be ineffective.
This proposal ignores and compensates for the real issue challenging our ability to provide a higher and expanded education for our kids. That issue is the continuously rising cost of education. The majority of these costs are found in salaries and benefits packages by our teachers and staff. These costs are outpacing the private sector.
Our esteemed representatives, by voting for this proposal, demonstrate their lack of ability to state the obvious, or recognize it. Just as in the private sector, a correction is necessary to protect and strengthen the educational opportunities for our kids.
All employees must realize that without the absolutely necessary reductions of cost, their future employment, salaries and benefits are in jeopardy. It is foolish for anyone in Illinois to believe the financial situation we find ourselves in to be a short-lived downturn. It is further unrealistic to believe that our families have an endless supply of funds to continue paying higher taxes to provide irresponsible salary increases along with unmatched benefit packages.
If indeed there would be a reduction in services or a lower standard of education here in Aurora, then I would support and push for a reduction in taxes paid for by the taxpayers of this city and district. Any reduction in quality will most certainly raise the potential for families looking for other opportunities for their children outside of our district and Aurora.
Alderman Rick Lawrence
Aurora
Letters to the Editor
Beacon 4/5/10
April 5, 2010
Four-day school plan ignores salary issue
I wanted to express my opinion about having kids attend schools four days a week rather than five. Two of our state representatives voted in favor of this proposal, and neither of them has children who would be affected by this proposal. I fear that a reduction in class time would shift the burden of educating from the teacher to the student and parents, which in many cases would be ineffective.
This proposal ignores and compensates for the real issue challenging our ability to provide a higher and expanded education for our kids. That issue is the continuously rising cost of education. The majority of these costs are found in salaries and benefits packages by our teachers and staff. These costs are outpacing the private sector.
Our esteemed representatives, by voting for this proposal, demonstrate their lack of ability to state the obvious, or recognize it. Just as in the private sector, a correction is necessary to protect and strengthen the educational opportunities for our kids.
All employees must realize that without the absolutely necessary reductions of cost, their future employment, salaries and benefits are in jeopardy. It is foolish for anyone in Illinois to believe the financial situation we find ourselves in to be a short-lived downturn. It is further unrealistic to believe that our families have an endless supply of funds to continue paying higher taxes to provide irresponsible salary increases along with unmatched benefit packages.
If indeed there would be a reduction in services or a lower standard of education here in Aurora, then I would support and push for a reduction in taxes paid for by the taxpayers of this city and district. Any reduction in quality will most certainly raise the potential for families looking for other opportunities for their children outside of our district and Aurora.
Alderman Rick Lawrence
Aurora