Dear Editor:
Monday, February 1, 2016, I received in the mail a flier “Where does the money go???? It appears the flier was prepared and paid for by the Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association. Who funds the association I do not know at this time.
The first glaring mistake was that this flier listed Michael Pietrowicz as a sitting Board of Education member. Mr. Pietrowicz’s term expired December 2015. What the flier does not tell the reader:
- Teachers received a very lucrative contract and pay increases at the last negotiation before the Governors cap restriction.
- Par-Troy teachers contract has the highest pay scale and benefits in the county.
- The teachers “ADD ONS” are very lucrative and in my opinion absurd!
- Where were the teachers when administrators got their ridiculous bonuses and pay raises?
- There are many more points I can make as to the flier.
Teachers do not pat yourselves on the back. I and many others know you have a great deal from start to finish. Full coverage medical and dental when you retire, a pension plan far exceeding the private sector. Why doesn’t the Association state the fact that many board members and administrators get their family members jobs in the school system.
Parsippany unfortunately lost one of its most precious, caring, educated board member last year, Dr. Frank Calabria. My many private conversations with Frank over twenty years gave me insight to many areas of the educational system and teachers contracts. I miss him.
In early 2014, I learned how the teachers contract pay increase was distributed throughout the staff. I was very surprised, flummoxed and my first response was that it was not fair. However, upon “a step back approach” I concluded it is fair and just. With all that said, I have been raised to be a soldiers general, the teachers are on the front line, their the foundation, their the ones that must deal with problems face to face every day.
Please keep in mind, the well is getting dry in America, we are in trouble, morally, ethically and financially. I know many teachers personally, many of you know I look at the whole picture altruistically.
Lets work this out.
Roy Messmer
