LETTERS: SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS OVERSEE BIG INVESTMENT

To the editor:

In the June 23 issue of the Southeast Missourian, an individual expressed (in Speak Out) a very harsh assessment of the salaries of the administration of the Jackson School District.

I would like to know what this individual would consider a fair work-to-compensation ratio. I don't believe the Speak Out caller gave a lot of thought to the fact that administrators and educators assisted some 4,000 children last year in receiving a quality education throughout the Jackson district. In 1990, the population of Jackson was 9,256. It's obvious that since then there has been an increase. So think about it, folks. These administrators and educators are responsible for almost half of the population of one city in Cape Girardeau County for about 180 days out of the year.

The caller also did not give credence to the fact that the administration was responsible for the successful management of the 1995-96 budget of $16 million. These funds are accumulated through local, state and federal sources. There are guidelines and restrictions on these funds that must be constantly monitored. You wouldn't find someone in the private sector who would manage the staff and budget that our district's administrator does for the amount of money that he receives. This institution has proven itself time and time again to be excellent stewards of our resources.

The author of the Speak Out comment really needs to take a look at the district from the perspective of the educators and children. Children need to have quality time with their educator and not be expected to compete within the confines of a 30-person classroom. Educators need to know that their educational skills won't be taxes by the drudgery that comes from hauling their classrooms around in the arms and on carts.

To the individual so concerned about salaries: Have you done anything for this district that would assist its children or educators? Have you volunteered in the classroom? Have you offered your expertise in your chosen vocation to the district? Have you ever attended a school board meeting to educate yourself as to how these people hold the whole ball of wax together? Or do you simply offer your child's educational future up as a sacrifice to the administration and expect them to turn out the very best product they can in spite of your efforts toward that process.

We can all benefit from a healthy and flourishing school district. Look around you, folks. Haven't you noticed all the new housing development within our district? Well, when I was growing up, if you lived past Johnny Dunn's service station, you were tempting fate as to whether or not you would return to civilization. Now, you go toward New Wells and you see rooftop after rooftop. And have you checked out the value of your home lately? You can guarantee that your home is worth more sitting in Jackson's school district than some of the surrounding districts. Jackson's school district and our children are an investment that you can't afford to squelch on.

Some of will try to argue that the old supplies, buildings and ways of doing business have proven tried and true. But why don't you take that same advice to your own family when deciding to install a second bathroom for a family of six or embarking on purchasing a new family vehicle when yours is only three years old but you've somehow by the grace of God sprouted a set of twins and 2-year-old toddler in addition to the two teen-agers and the 7-year-old. Or how about when it's time to consider adding on to the house or taking the plunge and upgrading your family to a newer and bigger home because it suits your needs better and will have longevity for your maturing family.

So what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Expect that one commode to service six people on a Sunday morning before church. Drive that vehicle until you have one child cruising down Main Street as a hood ornament because there's no room inside. Go ahead and get that trailer for the new addition you need for the family home place. But don't go calling a plumber when the commode only makes it through family member No. 4. Don't call the dent doctor when that hood ornament takes on a large road moth and loses. Stay away from that phone when you've applied the seventh coat of sealant around that addition's entryway into the family home and it still leaks. No, you won't deserve any recourse. You have to find your solace in watching those anti-family reruns of Al Bundy kicking back and exclaiming, "Nothing but the best for my family."

Please, before offering up criticism of persons or institutions that you know little to nothing about, get some education on the subject matter. President Lincoln once said that it is better to appear a fool by saying nothing that to open one's mouth and prove to all that it's true.

KELLE LANE

Jackson