Davis

I am writing in response to Walt SadlerÕs letter regarding administrative pay raises for the school district. I found his information to be accurate, but it is just the tip of the iceberg.

In 2008, the top four district office administrators received raises totaling $100,000. Districtwide, administrators received $120,000 in additional health benefits. This was in a year that the state cut the school budget by $2.2 million. Because there was no additional money in the budget to cover this ongoing expense, these cost increases were paid for by cutting services to our schools.

The board has tried to spin this as being comparable to a teacherÕs salary schedule increase. Nothing could be further from the truth; itÕs comparing apples and oranges.

Teachers receive a modest pay increase for each year (step) of experience. This is an acknowledgment that having experienced teachers is one of the strongest correlations with student achievement. Also, if a teacher invests the time and money to earn additional college or continuing education credit, the salary schedule rewards them with a small bump in pay; they move to a new pay column. Students learn better with experienced, knowledgeable teachers in the classroom. This is validated by numerous research studies.

IÕve read no such study correlating a similar effect with administrators. There is no requirement of seniority or continuing education for administrative pay increases.

In addition, step and column costs are largely, if not totally, defrayed by teacher retirements. The pay difference between a retiring teacher and a newly hired teacher can be as much as $35,000 the first year, $33,000 the second year, etc. The administratorsÕ raises came straight out of the general fund, the same money that we need for our kids.

I donÕt begrudge administrators their paycheck. ItÕs a tough job. I do admonish the board for such spendthrift practices in a time when they ask teachers and the community for more money Òfor the kids.Ó WeÕre all working harder because of these budget cuts, no one more than the classroom teacher. Yet we have seen our salaries cut this year as we give money back to the district for the kids.

Steven Kelleher

Davis

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