Did You Know???

At a January 2009 school budget meeting I attended, in the salary line, step
increases were mentioned. At the April 7, 2009 Town Council meeting when the
school budget was discussed I asked Shannon Welsh what step increases are?
What they are based on, tenure, performance, merit?

Her answer amazed me.

Some years ago, she said, a school committee decided that one third (1/3) of
all teachers were to receive a "step increase" each year. The "step
increases" are not based on anything,  merit, performance, tenure. These
step increases are paid over and above regular contract pay raises.As I was
leaving the stand with the microphone I said "My, aren't we generous!"

No one in the room said anything. Silence. NOW YOU KNOW!

And we wonder why our real estate taxes are so high!
I do not begrudge teachers or anyone else a fair pay for work done. But these
step increases are just an outright gift,
merited, warranted or not.

How much longer are we, the taxpayers, going to sit back, step aside, and let
our town officials do this sort of thing to
us, the people paying the bills?

Unfortunately there no longer is town meeting where more citizens could and
would voice opinions. But Town Council meetings are held on the first and third
Tuesdays of each month at the Town
Office at 7 p.m. They are also aired on the first and third Thursdays of
each month on Channel 7 at 7 p.m. Attend. Watch.

Food for thought: How many town and school employees are receiving
retirement pay and still working for the town, while so many are unemployed?
Is it time for them to retire and give someone else an opportunity to work?
Just asking? Any thoughts?

Keep town status quo, or time for changes?. It's all up to you.

ATTEND COUNCIL MEETINGS
WATCH THEM ON TV
CALL YOUR TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS CALL YOUR SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED!
I CANNOT STRESS IT ENOUGH
NOW YOU KNOW!

Dot Fitzgerald
A Taxpayer and Very Concerned Citizen