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Taxpayers should know details of deal

Recently, one of the headlines in the Daily Herald pertained to a severance package worth $251,700 for Jeff Brierton who resigned shortly before he was to become the superintendent of Warren Township High School. Part of the agreement between him and the Warren District 121 school board also included keeping the details of the agreement strictly confidential.

Though Brierton resigned effective May 10, he will receive $147,000 in payment spread over twelve months as part of that package. In addition, the district’s taxpayers will also cover 18 months of COBRA premiums for him and his family health insurance plan along with costs of $30,000 for a term life insurance policy over the same period of time.

It is quite apparent that the school board has no concern for the district’s taxpayers. Their only concern is to assist fellow school teachers, counselors,and administrators.

Also,as another example of this, recently the school board granted a bonus of $10,000 to the outgoing superintendent if he stayed to the end of June.

Why are the details of his resignation kept secret? The district’s taxpayers are entitled to know if it was for cause, and if not, then what was the reason? Additionally since he was the one who had resigned, why the extra benefits which are being given to him?

This present school board is a perfect example why the voters should never elect former teachers, counselors and administrators to a school board. The present ones do not care for the taxpayers or the children, but are only concerned with helping their fellow colleagues.

Larry King

Gurnee

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