Comments on: Letter to the Editor: A look at superintendent’s contract http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2013/01/22/letter-to-the-editor-a-look-at-superintendent%e2%80%99s-contract/ Ramona's Community Paper Since 1886 Sun, 19 May 2013 23:57:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: big bird http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2013/01/22/letter-to-the-editor-a-look-at-superintendent%e2%80%99s-contract/#comment-628270 big bird Sat, 26 Jan 2013 22:08:58 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=20565#comment-628270 shocked, the teachers are paid very well. here is the salary schedule (though i'm guessing you've already seen it): <a href="http://www.ramonausd.net/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=1675&dataid=1730&FileName=Certificated_Salary_Schedule_Grid.72512.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.ramonausd.net/site/handlers/filedownlo...</a> take note the automatic annual increases most receive. there are few, if any, teachers in the district with less than 5 years service. an 8% cut just puts most of them back where they were 2 years ago. how many of us wish we were still getting what we received 2 years ago? it's been a tough row for many outside the ALT. i think dwayne's points were well taken. a lot of people have had to cut back, and he gave examples from his experiences. i bet that harley eats at least 10% less gas than a typical car. i have a feeling the teachers will get by with a few cuts themselves. shocked,
the teachers are paid very well. here is the salary schedule (though i'm guessing you've already seen it): http://www.ramonausd.net/site/handlers/filedownlo...
take note the automatic annual increases most receive. there are few, if any, teachers in the district with less than 5 years service. an 8% cut just puts most of them back where they were 2 years ago. how many of us wish we were still getting what we received 2 years ago? it's been a tough row for many outside the ALT.
i think dwayne's points were well taken. a lot of people have had to cut back, and he gave examples from his experiences. i bet that harley eats at least 10% less gas than a typical car. i have a feeling the teachers will get by with a few cuts themselves.

]]> By: big bird http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2013/01/22/letter-to-the-editor-a-look-at-superintendent%e2%80%99s-contract/#comment-628267 big bird Sat, 26 Jan 2013 21:52:30 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=20565#comment-628267 agreed, but keep in mind it's the board that gave him the increase (careful, don't call it a raise). he just accepted it. i am very disappointed that only dr john voted against this. hear that, guy and gals? agreed, but keep in mind it's the board that gave him the increase (careful, don't call it a raise). he just accepted it. i am very disappointed that only dr john voted against this. hear that, guy and gals?

]]> By: shocked http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2013/01/22/letter-to-the-editor-a-look-at-superintendent%e2%80%99s-contract/#comment-628036 shocked Sat, 26 Jan 2013 02:16:50 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=20565#comment-628036 Who are you saying gets paid very well? Most of the teachers, 80% have summer jobs to supplement the lack of pay. Look into things before you claim 'to not know the issue at hand.' And a Harley is a pretty expensive bike for someone 'cutting down' and not the most fuel efficient. Who are you saying gets paid very well? Most of the teachers, 80% have summer jobs to supplement the lack of pay. Look into things before you claim 'to not know the issue at hand.' And a Harley is a pretty expensive bike for someone 'cutting down' and not the most fuel efficient.

]]> By: shocked http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2013/01/22/letter-to-the-editor-a-look-at-superintendent%e2%80%99s-contract/#comment-628021 shocked Sat, 26 Jan 2013 02:12:51 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=20565#comment-628021 The fact of the matter still remains, how can he receive a raise when every one else in the school system is getting cut? No wonder there's a strike looming. This is absolutely ridiculous. How can he demand everyone to take a cut and give himself a raise? When the teachers go on strike, will everyone realize how the workers at the school--teachers, janitors, secretaries--have been treated? The fact of the matter still remains, how can he receive a raise when every one else in the school system is getting cut? No wonder there's a strike looming. This is absolutely ridiculous. How can he demand everyone to take a cut and give himself a raise? When the teachers go on strike, will everyone realize how the workers at the school–teachers, janitors, secretaries–have been treated?

]]> By: Dwayne http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2013/01/22/letter-to-the-editor-a-look-at-superintendent%e2%80%99s-contract/#comment-627914 Dwayne Fri, 25 Jan 2013 17:45:41 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=20565#comment-627914 I voted against Prop R as well. I could careless about the whinning teachers. People need to understand that simple math is your problem. When your home pocket book runs out of money, you but back. Simple as that. Myself I recently moved and have no cable service, because it would dampen my budget. I ride a Harley vs a car to save on gas. I coupon shop now to save even a simple dollar. So I don't claim to know the issue at hand very well, but I do understand cuts need to happen. Don't make this about the children...its about Teachers $$$ and pensions and the Union Dues collected. When I was in grade school my class size was 35...at work my company has downsized and we do more with less. Face it the economy sucks...so tighten up your belts and make due to change to reduce costs or find out later that Teachers will be losing jobs to save cash. Also my kids did attend this District and my grandson will soon one day...so get off your High Horse and make the changes needed to prosper. I wish I had a job that paid very well and gotten great tax breaks and had long summer vacations PAID!!! I voted against Prop R as well. I could careless about the whinning teachers. People need to understand that simple math is your problem. When your home pocket book runs out of money, you but back. Simple as that.

Myself I recently moved and have no cable service, because it would dampen my budget. I ride a Harley vs a car to save on gas. I coupon shop now to save even a simple dollar.

So I don't claim to know the issue at hand very well, but I do understand cuts need to happen. Don't make this about the children…its about Teachers $$$ and pensions and the Union Dues collected.

When I was in grade school my class size was 35…at work my company has downsized and we do more with less.

Face it the economy sucks…so tighten up your belts and make due to change to reduce costs or find out later that Teachers will be losing jobs to save cash.

Also my kids did attend this District and my grandson will soon one day…so get off your High Horse and make the changes needed to prosper.

I wish I had a job that paid very well and gotten great tax breaks and had long summer vacations PAID!!!

]]> By: Really? http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2013/01/22/letter-to-the-editor-a-look-at-superintendent%e2%80%99s-contract/#comment-627650 Really? Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:20:48 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=20565#comment-627650 Big Bird, I would hope you do not have children attending schools in this district. If you do, you should use your real name as a first step in your "active role." Big Bird, I would hope you do not have children attending schools in this district. If you do, you should use your real name as a first step in your "active role."

]]> By: big bird http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2013/01/22/letter-to-the-editor-a-look-at-superintendent%e2%80%99s-contract/#comment-627548 big bird Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:54:49 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=20565#comment-627548 what a hoot! graeff just received a pay *increase* from $195,735 to $200,591 (plus add-ons which approach $250k total). be careful not to confuse that with a raise...an easy mistake to make. kudos to dr john as the only trustee to vote against this raise (oops...there, i did it). the teachers need to take a cut, but it's easy to see why they're riled up about it. graeff take a cut? in your dreams! i am so glad R failed and pledge to take an active role in opposing any future bond. what a hoot! graeff just received a pay *increase* from $195,735 to $200,591 (plus add-ons which approach $250k total).

be careful not to confuse that with a raise…an easy mistake to make. kudos to dr john as the only trustee to vote against this raise (oops…there, i did it).

the teachers need to take a cut, but it's easy to see why they're riled up about it. graeff take a cut? in your dreams!

i am so glad R failed and pledge to take an active role in opposing any future bond.

]]> By: Guest http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2013/01/22/letter-to-the-editor-a-look-at-superintendent%e2%80%99s-contract/#comment-627400 Guest Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:58:33 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=20565#comment-627400 Yet the trustees just gave him a pay increase while asking the teachers and classifieds to take pay cuts. Don't you see a problem with that. As someone who has sat in upper management (just as high or higher than Graeff) and also been involved with membership in a union I think it's time for Mr. Graeff to go. When you are in the position he is in if you really, truely care you say thanks but no thanks. I did it on many occasions and it sure made life easier publically as well as dealing with my employees. Greed gets you nowhere! Yet the trustees just gave him a pay increase while asking the teachers and classifieds to take pay cuts. Don't you see a problem with that. As someone who has sat in upper management (just as high or higher than Graeff) and also been involved with membership in a union I think it's time for Mr. Graeff to go. When you are in the position he is in if you really, truely care you say thanks but no thanks. I did it on many occasions and it sure made life easier publically as well as dealing with my employees. Greed gets you nowhere!

]]> By: Jane Tanaka MD http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2013/01/22/letter-to-the-editor-a-look-at-superintendent%e2%80%99s-contract/#comment-627180 Jane Tanaka MD Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:05:22 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=20565#comment-627180 Part 2:He and other administrators have sacrificed a percentage of their benefits to set an example. If he makes a grander gesture of donating half his salary back to the school district so that students at Ramona Elementary could have new text books next year... that would help regain trust.. but no one is that altruistic.. right? It would inspire altruism and sacrifice in the rest of us, whether we be voters or teachers. On the other extreme, if he would say "thank you for coming to this meeting" or "thank you for your concern about our school district." and shake our hands instead of walking off to his car with his power point projector, would that help? I believe it would. I do not envy any school superintendent in California right now, especially our superintendent who inherited a financial mess and an unsympathetic public. But perhaps he is up to challenge of turning this around. It would make him a hero. Part 2:He and other administrators have sacrificed a percentage of their benefits to set an example. If he makes a grander gesture of donating half his salary back to the school district so that students at Ramona Elementary could have new text books next year… that would help regain trust.. but no one is that altruistic.. right? It would inspire altruism and sacrifice in the rest of us, whether we be voters or teachers. On the other extreme, if he would say "thank you for coming to this meeting" or "thank you for your concern about our school district." and shake our hands instead of walking off to his car with his power point projector, would that help? I believe it would. I do not envy any school superintendent in California right now, especially our superintendent who inherited a financial mess and an unsympathetic public. But perhaps he is up to challenge of turning this around. It would make him a hero.

]]> By: Jane Tanaka MD http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2013/01/22/letter-to-the-editor-a-look-at-superintendent%e2%80%99s-contract/#comment-627179 Jane Tanaka MD Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:04:09 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=20565#comment-627179 The relationship between a school superintendent and the community he or she serves is not only defined by a contract. It is built on trust. It is built on appreciation.It is built on service, sacrifice and compromise during tough times. Attorneys for the Board can look at exit clause in our superintendent's contract. Attorneys for the Superintendent can look at these also. But befor this occurs, the question at hand is the relationship between the superintendent and the community repairable? When the Superintendent's advocacy for a necessary bond measure is seen as him saving his salary or his job, then he cannot advocate for what he feels is necessary for the school district. It puts him in a double bind and unable to do his job. The relationship between a school superintendent and the community he or she serves is not only defined by a contract. It is built on trust. It is built on appreciation.It is built on service, sacrifice and compromise during tough times. Attorneys for the Board can look at exit clause in our superintendent's contract. Attorneys for the Superintendent can look at these also. But befor this occurs, the question at hand is the relationship between the superintendent and the community repairable? When the Superintendent's advocacy for a necessary bond measure is seen as him saving his salary or his job, then he cannot advocate for what he feels is necessary for the school district. It puts him in a double bind and unable to do his job.

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