CDA: Time for major change

The Cd'A School Board is stocked with Trustees who have enjoyed teacher Union financial and campaign support. This mutual back-scratching of Trustees, Administration and the Union has to stop. Current contracts approved by the Trustees include the following astounding items:

• 38 days of paid leave for the Teachers Union President while on Union business.

• Why would competent Trustees with business acumen agree to transfer a $3,593,587 year-end fund balance to the employee health insurance reserve and reinstate furlough days, and let the Union advise on how to spend the remaining balance?

• Taxpayers pay Superintendent Bauman's health club costs, plus $1,000/mo. travel expense, salary of $123,971, 12 days paid sick leave, 25 days paid vacation, 13 paid holidays, plus full medical and dental benefits, a district credit card for gas, $300/mo. for long-term care insurance, and the work contract covers only 261 days per year! Can't the Superintendent afford her own health club dues, and why are taxpayers stuck paying a $1,000/mo. expense allowance perk?

• Meanwhile, academics in the Cd'A district are suffering. While ISAT scores are slowly improving, lower grades' scores are weak, and the Cd'A high school graduation rate is significantly below nearby peer districts.

The Cd'A Board of Trustees has abdicated district financial control to the teachers Union. These benefits are examples of Trustees fiscal incompetence. We need strong, competent, independent Trustees. Elect Terri Seymour and Tom Hamilton on May 17 and put an end to the "insider's game" in Cd'A School District 271.

LUKE SOMMER

Coeur d'Alene