Monroe school district administrators did Monday what most public servants should be doing as taxpayers and governments feel the financial pinch of a deep national recession - make a personal sacrifice and set an example.
Monroe Superintendent Larry Brown announced during Monday's school board meeting that administrators recommended foregoing a salary increase for the next school year. Brown said the voluntary freeze wasn't a "budget fix." Instead, it's a way to publicly display "an awareness of the economy" and acknowledge the community's difficulties. In other words, since many of those who pay taxes to the school district are experiencing pay freezes, furloughs, or worse, school administrators are willing to share some of that pain.
It's a noble gesture, certainly, "a fine example," as board Vice President Pam Wyss said Monday. And while its impact on the overall budget is small, it's positive nonetheless.
Some administrators still will receive salary increases. A recent administrative restructuring placed greater responsibilities on some, and their pay will be adjusted accordingly. That's fair.
But Brown estimated that administrative salaries will decrease 2.3 percent. With benefits added in, the decrease will be about 0.83 percent. Again, not a lot of money, but it's something.
It is frustrating for taxpayers who are getting the financial squeeze from their employers, and from their government. The state bridges budget gaps, in part, with higher fees and taxes. The federal government looks for new ways to tax to pay for bailouts and, perhaps, health care reform. And in the City of Monroe, a transportation utility is being discussed to help pay for sidewalks and road repairs. Government always asks for more from taxpayers who are earning less.
Any gesture, large or small, from our public officials that they're in it with us is welcome.
Wisconsin school districts are sure to be feeling a pinch in coming months and years if the proposed state budget goes through as expected. State aid will drop. And district expenses are sure to rise faster than they currently do with the Qualified Economic Offer for school union employees eliminated. Eventually, taxpayers will be facing even more decisions between spending more and doing with less.
So in light of the Monroe administrators' announcement Monday, we'd like to challenge administrators in all of our area school districts to make similar gestures to show they're in it with the rest of us, and willing to make the same sacrifices many of those who fund their paychecks have been forced to make.
Monroe Superintendent Larry Brown announced during Monday's school board meeting that administrators recommended foregoing a salary increase for the next school year. Brown said the voluntary freeze wasn't a "budget fix." Instead, it's a way to publicly display "an awareness of the economy" and acknowledge the community's difficulties. In other words, since many of those who pay taxes to the school district are experiencing pay freezes, furloughs, or worse, school administrators are willing to share some of that pain.
It's a noble gesture, certainly, "a fine example," as board Vice President Pam Wyss said Monday. And while its impact on the overall budget is small, it's positive nonetheless.
Some administrators still will receive salary increases. A recent administrative restructuring placed greater responsibilities on some, and their pay will be adjusted accordingly. That's fair.
But Brown estimated that administrative salaries will decrease 2.3 percent. With benefits added in, the decrease will be about 0.83 percent. Again, not a lot of money, but it's something.
It is frustrating for taxpayers who are getting the financial squeeze from their employers, and from their government. The state bridges budget gaps, in part, with higher fees and taxes. The federal government looks for new ways to tax to pay for bailouts and, perhaps, health care reform. And in the City of Monroe, a transportation utility is being discussed to help pay for sidewalks and road repairs. Government always asks for more from taxpayers who are earning less.
Any gesture, large or small, from our public officials that they're in it with us is welcome.
Wisconsin school districts are sure to be feeling a pinch in coming months and years if the proposed state budget goes through as expected. State aid will drop. And district expenses are sure to rise faster than they currently do with the Qualified Economic Offer for school union employees eliminated. Eventually, taxpayers will be facing even more decisions between spending more and doing with less.
So in light of the Monroe administrators' announcement Monday, we'd like to challenge administrators in all of our area school districts to make similar gestures to show they're in it with the rest of us, and willing to make the same sacrifices many of those who fund their paychecks have been forced to make.
