Taxpayers deserve Neale explanation
Truly, I am sorry for Connie Neale's illness. I know that all the families of U-46 surely feel the same. We wish her the best and hope for a speedy recovery. That is really all we can do. We don't know anything different because "it is a private matter," despite the fact that we have the financial responsibility of her health care. How does that work?
I thought when you chose to be in a public position and the taxpayers are responsible for your salary and all your benefits, we have a right to know some facts. I don't need to know all the details, but I do think that we deserve an explanation of the situation.
There are a number of us sitting back amazed at what has transpired these last six months with Neale's salary and benefits.
She received what she asked for because the board we trusted to work in our best interest gave it to her. So Neale can walk away comfortably knowing she and her husband have their health insurance covered for life. Neale has a wonderful retirement package as well as 430, yes, you read correctly, 430 sick days paid by us.
The generous, unsuspecting families of U-46 have unknowingly handed her this deal.
Maybe we should ask the school board members for an explanation?
Maybe they will be able to explain the reasoning behind this pay raise when there are so many unanswered questions in our district. Or explain why a district that has been in financial difficulties for so many years can afford the highest paid superintendent for a district this size in the USA? Or about high schools that aren't meeting achievement standards and the ongoing discrimination suit that is costing so much money.
Our schools ask us as parents to help them with differing costs by supporting the PTO/PTAs as well as volunteering our time to answer phones in the office, working in classrooms or helping out in the library, to name some areas of "help needed."
The other day when I went to school to pick up my son, another mom and I were talking. She said, "I vote for who I think will do what is necessary to provide us with what I believe in. But in the long run, it doesn't matter what I believe in, they will do whatever they want."
Is this how it works now? The benefits are for the top of the totem pole and the little guy as well as their students suffer? With this latest chapter in the U-46 saga, I don't regret wanting to leave the district after my son completes sixth grade.
Not once in the five years Neale has been in her position have we heard she visited Horizon. We are thrilled with the education he has been given at Horizon Elementary School and don't believe he could have done better anywhere else. I credit the wonderful staff at Horizon for my son's education. They deserve the thanks.
Cindy Mullner
Hanover Park