To the editor:

It is clear from headlines to TV reports that Lee County schools are facing dire emergency. With threats of 3 percent pay cuts for teachers and staff, 80 fine arts and music teachers receiving notifications and programs for children being cut next year the time for action is now.

Solution of the superintendent and majority of Board members is to ask taxpayers for a 1 percent sales tax raise and more money from the State Legislature. All of this would be fine if this board could prove it has spent its money wisely and has done all in its power to alleviate the crisis.

Unfortunately, one of the board’s own members, Mr. Robert Chilmonik, has repeatedly shown otherwise. He has repeatedly called for a referendum to move monies from Capital to Operating budgets (such as was done in Collier County) He has shown money is there to solve problems. He has also called for audits to correct the waste of money shown in the last report of internal auditor, Julie Nieminsky. He has also voted against spending money for un-needed land purchases for schools not needed with declining enrollments.

The superintendent’s response is that if he supported such a referendum is that there would re re-occurring expenses four to eight years down the road. He was more concerned about his reputation later than the harm being faced today. Clearly Mr. Chilmonik seems more concerned about today’s problems and solutions than the majority of the Board and the Superintendent. The question must also be asked; will voters support a tax raise and will the legislature vote more money when the present board has shown itself less than responsible in handling of monies?

John E. Traube

Cape Coral