Has more questions on Harper finances

The front page story. “Harper’s frugal, but is Ender? (May 22)” was revealing, but does not tell the full story. Harper had about $72.3 million of unrestricted cash and investments at June 30, 2010, the end of its last fiscal year. That is 48 percent of its total revenue for fiscal 2010.

We calculate that no school district needs more than 20 percent of its annual revenues as a reserve against unexpected needs. One can debate whether 20 percent is the right amount, but the same could be said if it were only 10 percent.

The revenue flow for Harper and other school districts is fairly dependable. This means Harper is holding about $42.4 million of excess funds that should either be returned to the taxpayers or used to lower tuition for students.

On top of this the Herald story made no mention of why Harper has not frozen or reduced salaries and fringe benefits for its employees. In fiscal 2010 all Harper employees received a 4.3 percent across the board increase in base pay. This does not include fringe benefits and other pay add-ons. How many workers get a 4.3 percent increase in times like these?

Roland G. Ley, president

Taxpayers United

Arlington Heights