Edison taxpayers got bad deal on contract
Watching the Edison school board spend our money is like watching a Ginsu knife commercial. The "2 percent raise" headline is quite misleading (thankfully, the detailed reporting is thorough).

There is already a teachers' salary structure in place that nearly doubles salary in 10 years — over 7 percent annual increases — just for showing up for work. But wait, there's more! If teachers take additional courses, they receive raises on top of the structure. But wait, there's more! If teachers earn advanced degrees, they receive raises on top of the structure. But wait, there's more! If teachers are awarded tenure (and how is that good for the taxpayer, the school or the children?), they receive raises on top of the structure. But wait, there's more! If teachers receive national certification, they receive raises on top of the structure. But wait, there's more! The board just ratcheted up this already egregious fleecing of Edison taxpayers by 2 percent-plus.

I kept reading news reports looking for the reciprocity in the new contract, but there were, apparently, none to be found. No productivity enhancements, no efficiency measures, no performance standards, no additional job requirements; just more money for the same job. Oh, sorry, health benefits were transferred to another public entity, so we can pass the hot potato there.

How is it that parochial schools run on one-quarter to one-third of per-student expenses? How is it that parochial schools have competitive standard testing scores (even though public schools doctor their results by pulling out the special-needs scores)? When will the Edison school board spend our money like it's their money? Oh, right, after they get their massive capital projects approved; then, of course, fiscal discipline will be found.
Richard J. Leist
Edison