Teaching profession, once a noble calling, is now sullied

As New Jersey’s students begin another school year, it is very disconcerting to learn that tax money put aside for education is instead being wasted on the excesses of the educational system that has gone out of control. And it is no wonder that senior citizens are saying, “Enough is enough.”

The teaching profession was once a noble profession, but its reputation has been sullied as of late. Our state has become a school superintendents’ paradise where some superintendents receive $700,00 and $600,000 in severance packages on top of sixfigure state pensions and super health care benefits.

Another school superintendent was removed without the consent of the state education commissioner so she still continues to collect her salary until June 2010.

It makes no sense electing and re-electing members of 615 boards of education who meet in secret but who seem to derive great pleasure in squandering billions of dollars in taxpayers’ money on school superintendents and top administrators.

And now we find out that many of these elitist educators are raking in extra cash by earning bogus advanced degrees from online diploma mills.

The good people of New Jersey can no longer afford to stand idly by and allow our state to be sold to the highest bidder. They want an end to the pattern of corruption, secret dealing and injustice, which is making our state the laughing stock of the nation.

New Jersey is small in size but large in bureaucracy. Having one school district in each of our 21 counties would mean a big reduction in property taxes for senior citizens. It would also eliminate the hundred of superfluous school districts.

Bestowing fortunes on the few at the expense of the many is unjust, unfair and un-American. And now more than ever, we need elected members of our state Legislature to pull together and orchestrate businesslike methods to end the boards’ of education current dilemma.
Michael Meehan
Edison