School superintendent pay raises

Don't know that I agree completely with the intent of this bill; however, it could be used to send a message to school boards who fail to properly adhere to the wishes of the taxpayers. I certainly understand the frustrations of taxpayers with regards to school administrator pay. Sponser of HB 3312 Representative Stefani Carter (R-Dallas) stated “I also have a real problem when the chiefs of staff for the superintendents of some of our largest school districts, as in Dallas ISD, are making more money than the chief of staff for the President of the United States. We need to cut back in administration or our teachers and children will suffer.” "Carter also noted that this month the Duncanville school board voted to raise superintendent base salary from $197,415 to $230,000 a year, even though the state’s substantial shortfall will likely leave the Duncanville Independent School District with a $6 million shortfall for the 2011 – 2012 school year." Grant a pay raise and the school district has not come to a decission with regards to the number of teachers to be laid-off. Only by a school board in Texas. The pay raise appears to cover the salary for at least one teacher. I do believe a school could run without a superintendent; however, without teachers is another matter.

House Bill 3312 would require any proposed salary increase for superintendents to be placed on the ballot of the regular election of trustees for approval by a majority of the voters in that district.

Representative Carter also introduced House Bill 3625 which would create a task force to review and analyze how public school districts may be made more efficient through reorganization and consolidation. Bring it on with regards to consolidation. There will be heavy opposition to this bill from many fronts. However, it is times public schools in Texas reorganized. This includes elimination of region service centers which is a place for retired school superintendents to hang out and draw additional pay checks at taxpayers expense. Region Service Centers were needed in the old model of operation; however, the new model of on-line content reduces their capacity to serve efficiently.

FINANCIAL ARMAGEDDON we do not need.