To the editor:

A lead editorial in another paper declares “Pay cut best option for teachers.” This editorial ignores basic facts raised at School Board Meetings. The cut is being promulgated by Superintendent Browder who on TV openly admitted that he has deleted an ethics clause from his contract and has taken a lot of money by double dipping with the DROP program and has built a golden parachute of $342,000 when he leaves for any reason. He leads by example of enriching himself and taking away from teachers at the same time. The question of ethics becomes very pertinent in this discussion.

The other issue ignored is that of lack of money. It has been shown that there is adequate money if capital funds were moved to operating funds in the budget. All this would be enabled by a referendum of voters. Example was shown in Collier County which accomplished this act last fall and does not presently have the same layoffs and staff cut backs. Lee County has shown that it has more than sufficient money by buy 27 land parcels at $25,000 a piece for new schools when at the same time there is a declining enrollment and closing of some existing buildings. The money is there for the teachers. All that is lacking is the will to use it for this purpose.

It is clear that the only Board member willing to change these priorities is Mr. Chilmonik. The question that must be asked is why the other board members and the superintendent will not listen to him. Is it really necessary to cut salaries, lay-off staff and teachers, cut back educational programs if this money is really there? Shouldn’t Mr. Chilmonik’s concerns be fully addressed if the board really cares for children?

John E. Traube

Cape Coral