Hard to understand raise in difficult economy
Iam writing because I am still wondering why in the world the Jackson Board of Education agreed to renegotiate the superintendent's contract and grant him a fairly sizable pay increase while the economy tanks and people all around town are losing their jobs, or worse, losing their house.

The greed on the part of the superintendent to ask to open his contract negotiations a year-and-a-half early is unfathomable and the board should be ashamed of themselves for agreeing. I know he isn't a taxpayer here, but as one who makes his living off the backs of Jackson taxpayers, you would think he would care a little more than that.

I know that some will point to the fact that he "gave up" some of his banked sick time, etc., but with the new laws passed recently at the state level, those golden parachutes are now outlawed anyway. So what did he voluntarily give up, really?

This town is about to go through a budget cycle with both the Board of Education and the township where tax increases may be required to balance both budgets. I am all for paying my fair share, but paying for this new contract in these difficult economic times is beyond my fair share, and the actions of the superintendent and the willing approval of the Board of Education are unconscionable.

I do have to point out the lone dissenting vote of John Morvay. He is worthy of praise for his constant willingness to buck the trend and stand against the tide and say no when that is not the popular thing to do.

I encourage all Jackson taxpayers to take an active role in holding the line on spending increases by being active participants in the budget process of both the Board of Education and the township. Let your voices be heard by the people who seem so out of touch that they don't realize how much we are hurting.

Matthew S. Genovese

Jackson