BURKEonBOARD

(Dec. 8, 2008) – Hope you’re planning at attend this evening’s school board meeting. It’s going to be one of those “tax ‘n spend” meetings.

First the spend part.

With nary a whisper, the board has scheduled a vote on a new three year contract for superintendent Brad Meeks and we know nothing about what’s in it. No one is saying a word about what’s in the contract. After all we went through earlier this year and the district spending almost $4000 in lawyers fees trying to keep Meeks’ contract secret, then being slapped down by a state ruling, they’re still trying to keep the public, you and me, in the dark.

Some people never learn.

An educated guess is that the board will be voting on a contract that raises Meeks’ salary to around $180,000 a year with benefits pushing it well over $200,000 a year.

Now the tax part.

At the same time the board is giving Meeks a fat pay raise while many folks are trying to hang on to their jobs, the board will also vote on a tax increase. It would fund the sale of bonds to pay future health insurance benefits for retired district employees.

I think this is a really bad idea.

Even if you don’t agree, though, we should all be able to agree that in this economy, with foreclosures mounting, people losing jobs, this is not the time to add additional taxes on the backs of local property owners.

The problem the board proposes to solve is not dire and it’s not imminent.

Even if this is the right solution (and it isn’t), this is the wrong time to do it.

I hope you will make a special effort to attend Monday night’s school board meeting.

Show up and tell the board, “We need time to look at Meeks’ new contract before they vote on it.”

Show up and tell the board, “No tax increase to pay for a bond sale we don’t need.”

The meeting is in the Farmington High School Little Theater at the south end of the building.

The meeting starts a 7 p.m. Pick up a blue slip by the door and sign-up to speak when the contract and the tax increases are discussed.

This board counts on the silence of the public to do what you don’t want. It’s time to speak up.