School district’s spending spree must end

“Oops they did it again” song should be retitled from Brittney Spears to the Brick Board of Education when it comes to how they spend money. The majority of the school board members voted to give 18 chosen employees a hefty raise for the next few years including “Non-certified Supervisors and Administrative Secretaries.” The biggest grab for the cash was the raise given to School Business Administrator Nicholas C. Puleio. Hs pay will rise from $140,000 to $153,000 from now till the 2006 school year. I’m sure Nick does an honest day’s work, but that kind of raise seems a bit excessive.

Recently the Lanes Mill Elementary School experienced a heating problem that sent students scrambling to the high school to seek shelter from the cold weather. Superintendent Seidenberger said that in general when money needs to be cut it is cut from maintenance rather than from personnel. If these hefty raises weren’t given to past and present administrators, there may be more money to spend for heating and the upkeep of the boiler. I think that Seidenberger needs to concentrate on more than just paying professionals and make sure our schools are in working order.

The community did notice that the two new school board members, Sharon Kight and John Talty, did vote against the raises. Unfortunately there weren’t enough votes in attendance that sided with these two individuals to make change to the school system. We can only wait till next year when Dr. William Boyan is up for re-election. With a new candidate elected, the spending spree can come to an end and the business of educating our kids can come first.

Sharon Campos

Brick