This is in response to Joel Drobes’ letter to the editor (“Teachers Should Be Rewarded Based on Merit,” Tri-Town News, Dec. 16) regarding teaching and teachers in general.
Mr. Drobes obviously has problems with not only teachers’ salaries, but the number of days per year they work as well as the length of the school day. Do I detect some jealousy?
Suffice it to say that if Mr. Drobes’ real estate taxes were not paying the teachers’ salaries, I doubt that he would ever have written his letter. Why did he not take to task all other municipal, county and state workers for their salaries and benefits?
Private sector workers such as Mr. Drobes enjoy more perks and benefits than municipal, county and state workers could ever dream of. Among these are much higher salaries, end-of-year bonuses, stock sharing plans, 401(k) matching company contributions, company parties, long and sometimes company-paid luncheons and conferences, and free tickets to shows and athletic events.
One should not bemoan the salaries and hard-won benefits public service employees have. And lastly, if Mr. Drobes thinks they are making out so well, he should consider joining them.
David Gross
Marlboro