Imust admit that I reluctantly voted to approve Millstone Township’s school budget in April. At the time, I thought it was the best that could be accomplished and that there was some give on the part of the union. Now I learn that that is not the case. The agreement reached on forgoing a raise one year for a 6 percent raise the second year and a 4.25 percent raise the third year is a bad deal for the district.
This is 10.25 percent over three years, which is too much in these tough economic times. The school board is just deferring the problem rather than facing it. And there was very little give in employee contributions to health care insurance premiums. Many teachers are expected to retire, thanks to Gov. Christie’s reality policies. A surplus of young motivated teachers only too thankful for a job exists. They can replace the burned-out, top-of- the-ladder teachers. The union would rather see layoffs and retirements rather than compromise for the greater good.
Gregory M. Cinque
Millstone