Is the Superintendent's Office Heavily Staffed and Paid Generously?

Dear Editor,

I was astounded at the salaries of employees for the Town of Lisbon School Department, especially employees in the Office of the Superintendant. I was amazed to find out that it takes fourteen (14) employees to keep our school department running. I know times have changed, but I can recall when there were only 3 employees in that office; the superintendant and one or two secretaries. I have listed the employees and salaries below as published recently in the Lisbon Reporter, beginning with the highest paid, Shannon Welsh, Superintendant of Schools. In the future, I would like to have the title/job/duties of each employee (i.e., secretary, etc.) published.

Shannon Welsh, Superintendant, $69,669.32
Jana Boody, $67,874.56
James Churchill, $40,883.50
Catherine Messmer, $36,850.69
Maureen Williams, $33,364.33
Sybill Brewer, $28,293.98
Karen Thibodeau, $23,573.90
Sheila Clifford, $21,495.89
Nancy Bosse, $19,115.14
Cynthia Keil, $9,200.13
Jeanine May, $8,282.16
Anne Brubach, $7,718.68
Constance Wilson, $5,256.00
Kelly Byrus, $5,058.76

TOTAL: $376,637.04 (4.11%)

This is 14 employees, two of whose salaries are now about $70,000 per year, and 3 others with salaries ranging from $30,000 to over $40,000. That leaves 9 more positions with pay that ranges from over $5,000 to just over $28,000. I do not like to see anyone lose their job, but in this tough time, does it really take that many to run that office? And so many so well paid? I know, there are those who will say that $28,000 is not highly paid, but again there are many that would give their eye for a job that pays that well. It's all about perspective.

A Concerned Citizen