[Editor’s Note: School community watchdog Robert Gray, a Culver City parent, has sent the following letter to the School Board.]
Dear Members:
I feel the School District is not in a financial position to renew management contracts at their existing salaries.
I'm therefore requesting that you refuse to renew any upper management contract, including the one currently before you, without a 5 to10 percent reduction in salary.
Last week, a contract renewal for an Assistant Superintendent at her existing six- figure salary was presented to the Board for renewal. I understand you voted to postpone a decision until this coming Tuesday's Board meeting. Thank you.
As you are well aware, we are making draconian cuts to programs and firing many teachers, aides, administrators and other employees who our schools and kids depend on.
For instance, all of the fifth grade teachers at Farragut School and many other teachers and aides at the school have been fired for this coming year.
The School District’s budget already has been cut roughly 20 percent over the next two years, and the state already is billions of dollars in the hole again.
Even if the statewide propositions pass on May 19, which seems unlikely, we still will be in financially desperate times with more cuts looming. Until this budgetary storm passes, I feel the School Board needs to insist those in upper management take lower salaries for the greater good of the kids and their fellow employees under them.
As our elected leaders, I also believe you should cut your stipends by an equal percentage in a show of unity.
I want to be clear that this is not about the performance a particular person or management as a whole.
I am not arguing that you require concessions from management because I don't value management or what management does, or realize the role management plays in the success of our schools.
It is maddening that the state is slashing our budget by so much. But we must adjust to the situation we are faced with. While I greatly appreciate the 1 percent salary donation management has begun to make to the Culver City Education Foundation, it does not match the direct concession we need for the School District’s bottom line.
Management must lead the way and set an example that we are not one of those districts that protects the full salaries of those with power or seniority if it means firing many others.
Our kids depend on everyone at the School District. Firing a lot of people our schools depend on essentially balances the budget on the backs of our kids.
With so much of the School District’s budget being salaries, there is just no way to keep all salaries where they are and not destroy the quality of education and put newer teachers and other employees on the street where they are unlikely to find employment in these tough economic times.
Many parents and residents are now making significantly less money. So it is hard to justify why management can't make a 5 to 10 percent salary concession during these severe economic times considering we just don't have the money.
Only a 5 to10 percent reduction in income would seem like a bargain to many of us out here.
I believe most or all of those in management would agree to a salary reduction if you just insist on it.
Quite frankly, I don't think we should keep anyone in management who wouldn't agree to this reduction, considering the extreme budgetary conditions our District is faced with. They understand better than most the consequences of the budget cuts to our kids and our District.
Mr. Gray may be contacted at grayusa@sbcglobal.net
