Cuts

Today's Journal...

Middletown board cuts workers’ pay

MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Board of Education on Monday approved a uniform salary reduction for all district employees.

In each of the next two years, the base salaries of all employees — approximately 700 — will be reduced by 1 percent. From July 1 to June 30, 2014, salary steps will be frozen for all of the district’s employees. No one will advance on the salary schedule during this period of time

WHAT ARE THESE "SALARY STEPS" THAT ARE MENTIONED HERE? DON'T RECALL HAVING THOSE IN MOST WORK PLACES.

Further, all employees will be paying an extra 5 percent on their total health insurance and dental premiums starting July 1. In July 2013, another 5 percent will be added.

THAT'S A START. HOW MUCH WERE THEY CONTRIBUTING TO BEGIN WITH? WHAT PERCENTAGE ARE THEY AT NOW IN EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE PAYCHECK? IF IT ISN'T BETWEEN 10-25%, THEY HAVE MORE TO GIVE TO KEEP UP WITH THE REST OF US.

After the resolution passed on Monday, school board members also agreed to give back 10 percent of their pay.

Board President Marcia Andrew said the board was “just trying to share in the sacrifices the rest of the staff is making.”

By law, the school board cannot change its compensation during the middle of a term, so members, who earn $125 per meeting are voluntarily giving back 10 percent, or $12.50 per meeting, said board Vice-president John Sauter, who added there are about 28 meetings a year.

THIS SACRIFICE IS A NICE GESTURE SCHOOL BOARD. WITH ALL THESE CUTS, WILL THERE STILL BE A NEED FOR ANOTHER LEVY IN 2012?

That is a good concession by the district employees. I think that ought to be recognized by the community.

Let's just know we are all in it together. And the district employees are sharing some of the taxpayer pain right now. For that I say kudos.