Thornton, board deserve our thanks

I read with interest Ms. Shirley Forpe's Jan. 28 letter, "211's nightmare coming to an end."

Ms. Forpe is a retired District 211 teacher and president of the executive board of Local 1211, the District 211 teacher's union -- something she omits in every one of her letters (I am disappointed the Daily Herald continues to omit this).

Imagine my amusement at her going off about Dr. Thornton's retirement package -- how much do you and some of your colleagues earn from the Teacher Retirement System? Please, do not be so manifestly hypocritical.

What really upsets you about Dr. Thornton and the board (is) their requirement for fiscal responsibility stood in the way of your demands for huge increases in pay for already highly-compensated teachers who have benefits unmatched in the private sector (fantastic health insurance at low co-pays, a retirement plan envied by every taxpayer, and after four years' experience, teachers have job security for life, etc.).

When Dr. Thornton arrived, District 211's financial outlook was precarious and his management has helped secure the finances for the foreseeable future.

Those legal fees? Much of that has to be spent to defend often frivolous union actions against the district!

District 211 has great teachers and support staff and they should be, and are, well paid. We as a community value them and want a strong district with the highest standards of education.

What grates, though, is hearing this from someone driving a self-serving agenda and the fact that someone might actually be so ignorant of the facts to buy into it.

Our community recognizes Dr. Thornton has raised the high level of professionalism in this district even higher and as a man of principle he has kept his stated promise to keep the best interests of all of our stakeholders, teachers and support staff included, in the forefront.

Is that the blank check that Ms. Forpe wants?

Thankfully, no, but we'd all be better off if a few pompous, self-serving individuals weren't given the audience to spout off on their own unspoken, but clear agenda under the guise of public policy.

Cindy Lowery, Inverness

Wayne Palach, Palatine

Jim Winslow, Barrington

Wayne Koprowski, Palatine

Joe Dotoli, Inverness

Chuck Fritz, Inverness