I n reading the article concerning Spotswood teachers making the lowest starting salaries in the state (“It’s Not All About Money for Spotswood Teachers,” Sentinel, Jan. 17), I can’t help but think of those bumper stickers that say, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.”
The superintendent of schools is paraphrased as saying that teachers in Spotswood see value in things other than salaries, a comment, I’m sure, all the teachers appreciated seeing in writing as they are entering into their contract negotiations.
It’s a shame that the superintendent, Dr. John Krewer, doesn’t have those same values. The story notes that the school budget has only passed once in the past 20 years, implying that this is the reason that the salaries are so low. In other words, it’s the taxpayers’ fault. The Board of Education, not the taxpayers, negotiates the contracts.
So if you compare salaries with other districts, let’s start at the top. According to the New Jersey Education Association Web site, in the 2006-07 school year, Dr. Krewer’s salary was $155,600 for a district of two elementary schools, one small middle school and one small high school. The superintendent of Old Bridge, who oversees a student population of more than 10,000 students in 12 elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school, had a salary of $155,100. The superintendent of Woodbridge makes about $5,000 more than Dr. Krewer. The Woodbridge school district consists of 16 elementary schools, five middle schools and three high schools. Since the story points out that Spotswood has seven Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars, six AP (advanced placement) Scholars, and a National Principal’s Leadership Award (PLA) nominee, thank a teacher.
Remember those accomplishments when you sit down to negotiate with the teachers. Maybe if you start putting the money where the taxpayers want it to go and not to overpaid administrators, you may just get your budgets passed.
Darlene Gliese
Spotswood