Letters to the Editors

Bonus, raise given teachers far from generous in reality

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 31, 2000

Editor: The Pasco School District has enjoyed some positive press lately about the $1,000 bonus and the generous raise given to teachers. It is time for some realism. The raise is not a true raise since it includes the $1,000 bonus. This one time only bonus was a signing bonus due to the shortage of teachers. However, if it is figured into the raise, the raise is actually about 3 percent to 3.2 percent for a five- to 10-year teacher. It is also a "boomerang bonus" because it goes back to the district if the teacher goes over the allowed leave days. The teachers also sacrificed two days off in exchange for the bonus. Another disgrace has come to my attention: a school charges $6 for math workbooks but the workbooks were free to the school. Parents are being ripped off. This is a great disappointment and requires an explanation.

Additionally, the inventory figures provided to the St. Petersburg Times as to the count of computers represent fabrications. The chart published on Aug. 27 may be what the district claims for computer amounts but they are untrue. Either the schools lie in their reports or the district lies in their press information, or the Times is misrepresenting information.

For instance, the computers are supposed to be current models according to the asterisk, but do include obsolete computers. (It all depends on what you consider "obsolete".) Whether the school has 100 computers or not, it is not an accurate fact if 30 of them are for remedial use and in a lab for ESE students only. If you are going to provide information to your readers, please be complete. This disparity between schools should be a major concern of the School Board. State of the art computer stations in the new schools while the older schools' students suffer the consequences is not the attitude we like to see in our school district.
-- Alberta Beversdorf, Port Richey

Pasco should compensate couple for the actions of property appraiser

Editor: I was with Florence Schafer and her husband the day they received notice from (Pasco Property Appraiser) Mike Wells telling them they were not residents of Florida and as a consequence they would have to pay $12,000 in back taxes. There was also a threat of additional fines and a lien on their house if the money was not paid immediately.

It has taken two years for the Schafers to resolve this issue. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schafer suffered weight loss and other debilitating effects from Mr. Wells' harassment. I think the Schafers should receive some compensation for the financial loss and all the inconveniences they have had to endure to prove that they have been honest residents of Florida for 20 years.

I am contemplating having a permanent home in Florida. I find it frightening that someone like Wells has the license to harass innocent people.
-- Anita E. Rummel, Highland Lakes, N.J.

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