I know the schools are getting

less, but I think that if the main funding source is providing less, then

it is time for everyone to spend less.

Has anyone in the media been

paying any attention as the county office went through a reorganization?

If so, you would now see that many people now have new titles. With these

new titles have come substantial increases in pay.

When questioned, Superintendent

Dr. John DeCotis said that this reorganization resulted in replacing seven

positions. Those seven positions might have been eliminated, but when

you change titles, create new positions and replace the people, it looks

to me as if nothing has been accomplished.

Also I now see that the school

system is getting ready to hire another assistant superintendent and another

position to look after the school system's assets (look and see how many

more assistant superintendents we have now versus this time last year).

Of course most of this change

was covered with the fact that there was consideration also being given

for a half of a percent pay increase for teachers that was not fundable

at this time, but was to be considered again later in the year.

I have no problem with providing

the necessary support personnel to maintain the excellent school system

we have in Fayette County, but I feel that during "lean times"

everyone has to make sacrifices.

I had absolutely no problem

when Governor Perdue said that the state would not be able to fund a pay

increase for teachers this year. I sure did not feel that I was "betrayed"

I know that government has to operate the same as my household: When money

runs short, you have to cut expenses!

I did not go into education

with the intention of getting rich. During the two decades I have been

a teacher in this county, we have had many years that we got no raises

as the economy was going through a rough period. The "word"

came down from the county office that we were going to have to get by

this year with less.

We have eight fewer teachers

at my school this year than last and we have more students. I can accept

having classes with over 30 students, but I resent when I feel that what

I do in the classroom is treated as being less important than what administrators

are asked to do. If I am asked to do more with less in the classroom,

why can't we ask county office personnel to do more with less?

Why if these administrators

are asked to do more are they given a new title and pay increase to go

along with it? Who do they think they are in that what they do for the

school system is so much more important than what I do? What are we producing

anyway? I thought our purpose is the education of our children, and the

last time I checked, that happens in the classroom.

I know that when considering

the millions that the school system spends, that the money involved in

this complaint may seem small, but symbolism means a lot. We teach our

children by setting good examples for them to follow. We know that our

actions speak volumes. We should also expect that our school leaders also

set the example for the entire school system to follow.

What I am asking from you is

that the same scrutiny that you are giving to all of the local government

entities you also give to the school system. I have been following you

for years and I respect your work. I thank you for the opportunity to

vent.

A very concerned Fayette

County educator and taxpayer

[Editor's note: The contents

of this letter were shown to Superintendent John DeCotis, and he was given

opportunity to respond to the charges in the letter.]