Letters: High salaries show need for reform
This is a first grade classroom at the end of the day Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011. Credit: Newsday / John Paraskevas
In "Pensions for educators" [News, Aug. 3], I read, "Superintendents and their state representatives in Albany also said the pensions received on Long Island reflect the region's high cost of living."
What an astute and profound observation from those collecting from $215,000 to $325,000 in annual pensions, which help to drive up the region's high cost of living through the taxes we pay to cover those pensions. Their monthly pension checks are more than most people's annual pensions.
James J. McCormick, East Northport
I was so happy to see this article. Finally, somebody had the guts to expose such financial abuses. No one should retire with more than 75 percent of his or her base salary.
The only thing Newsday did not mention is the fact that in addition to the superintendents, there are three or four assistant superintendents for each district, also with large salaries. Compared across school districts, they are more or less all doing the same thing. One superintendent would be sufficient for all Long Island school districts.
Meanwhile, education is not at its best, the schools are crying for more funds and homeowners are bleeding trying to pay the exorbitant taxes.
Nick LaBianca, Port Jefferson Station
Time to get off the railroad employees' backs and start going after these people, whose jobs are less than necessary!
Carole Weigel, Glen Head
