Teacher pay has outpaced revenue

It is interesting again the unofficial and supposedly independent Quality Education 203 has quickly come the defense of Naperville Unit District 203, claiming the district is being proactive to cut costs and looking out for the taxpayer. Salaries and benefits, of which the teachers receive the majority, account for more than 75 percent of District 203 expenses. I wish they could explain when the district's largest cost is allowed to increase at a rate that exceeds their growth in income. For reference, the 1999 contract averaged a more than 6 percent increase; 2002 contract averaged 6 percent increases; the 2005 contract averaged more than 5 percent, and the 2007 extension averaged more than 4 percent. The district's revenue growth, due to the tax cap, hasn't been that high. Please tell me how the district is being proactive. Additionally, with each contract the district has generally seen health insurance cost increases that exceed the salary increases for each year.

My next question for everyone to consider is how is financing building construction using taxes from an operating cost referendum is looking out for the taxpayer. Using the excess from the 2002 referendum means that when the bonds are paid off, the district will just pour those funds into operations because they had opportunities to give back the excess between 2005 and 2007 and refused to. Normally when bonds issued for construction, all taxes associated with servicing the bonds cease when the bonds are retired. Only half of the construction bonds for 203 ($42 million) will be retired when they are paid off.

Everyone else, please take these concerns into consideration when voting, because endorsements by the NUEA (teachers) and so-called independent organizations generally are not looking out for your best interests (your checkbook balance).

Kevin Hausman

Naperville