Vote out officials who OK'd raises

Recently, Daily Herald reported that the school board of Warren Township High School, by a 6 to 1 vote, gave the superintendent, Phil Sobocinski, 6 percent annual raises for the next three years, and 200 sick leave days in addition to whatever he hasn't used until his retirement in June 2012. Along with these benefits, he also received a $500 monthly travel allowance, 20 days of paid yearly vacation and a $10,000 bonus if he remains until his retirement. Any unused sick days can be cashed in on June 30 of each year. The assistant superintendent, Mary Bates, was also given a new four-year contract with 6 percent annual raises.

Three of the members who voted for this, Anderson, Crowley and Stried, are up for re-election in April. The other three members voting in favor of this new contract were Pennich, Grum and Pfeiffer.

These same six members during the spring of 2007 also voted a 3 percent pay raise for Sobocinski, and gave another top administrator a 6 percent raise as that individual was scheduled to retire. In addition, they gave several other administrators raises which placed their salaries over $100,000, according to the Daily Herald then. To compensate for those increases in salaries that year, the school board justified their actions by increasing student fees for those students participating in athletics, on the academic and math teams and in the marching bands. The board also froze the salaries and reduced the medical benefits for 55 bus drivers for the next three years, and eight security guards were dismissed.

Except for one member, Richard Conley, the others have no sense of fiscal responsibility; it is more like irresponsibility. In what other job or position would an employee be given 200 days of sick leave, or more than 60 days per year, and still be retained in his job? Or what student if they were absent for more than 60 days per year would be promoted? Also, by being paid at the end of each school year for unused sick days, the superintendent is essentially receiving another pay increase, his salary for the days he was actually there and for the sick days he did not use.

It is time for change, and the three members up for re-election in April should be voted out of office. The remaining three members should also not be re-elected if they decided to run when their present terms expire. Considering the present economic situation, these members and the two superintendents have no regard for the best interests of the students and for the residents of this district.

Larry King

Gurnee