Your Opinion: Scrutiny of schools must begin at the top

Dear Editor:

It is with great interest that I read of the current issues regarding the Jefferson City School District. I am currently an assistant professor of Spanish at Lincoln University. For 20 years, however, I taught at Jefferson City High School and after retiring in 2009, I briefly taught ESL part time at South School and Pioneer Trail. I mention this brief bio only because it has given me perspective and insight on multiple levels.

It is apparent there are mounting issues which the board, district and voters are now facing and the district appears to be at a crossroads. Appropriate reflection is certainly apropos at this time. Hence I offer my view.

I feel scrutiny needs to begin at the top. Precisely what amount of money is being paid and to whom? Are all the positions currently at the board building necessary and are the salaries justifiable? Why is so much money being spent on leadership and why is there such disparity in wages?

In my time in the schools, I didn't feel there was any teacher, coach or school administrator being paid too much. The demands on those levels justified the compensation. It is at the board building where I have concerns. A few years ago the foreign language department at the high school went to the board building to write a curriculum. Accustomed to the bodies and noise at the high school, I found the board building to be eerily quiet and relaxing, much like a library. As a taxpayer I would like to see published what is being paid to whom and why. Are we seeing the bang for the buck?

I suggest monies be redirected from the board building to the schools. To deal with disciplinary issues, we need boots on the ground and good people in the trenches and they need to be adequately compensated. The amount aides make is ridiculous. Each school should have at least one individual whose job it is to deal with disruptive students. School administrators are often too overwhelmed. The idea of removing an entire class because of a disruptive student is a poor one. Funding should be redirected from the top and disturbed where it matters.

The district is confronting serious and complex issues. I applaud the members of the board and the public who are giving of their time to find resolution. I feel proper scrutiny should begin at the top. Ponder this. Just exactly how did we get where we are?

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