Letter to the editor: School board candidates at forum disappoint

When asked about not giving salary increases due to the deficit, they acted shocked that it would even be a consideration. They even thought the question was humorous. One of the candidates who found the question humorous served on the Jamestown Hospital board. I was employed at the hospital for 41 years. There were numerous times we were not given any raises and when we did it was mostly a 2 percent raise. The board froze our retirement pension and terminated it while this candidate was serving on the board. I guess when it comes to taxpayer money it is easier to spend or maybe this candidate feels teachers are more valuable than registered nurses.

My niece and her husband in Wyoming were not given any raises this year by their school board. The deductible for their health insurance went up to $3,000/person plus they pay a hefty premium out of their pocket. Due to the Environmental Protection Agency and President Barack Obama’s policies, Wyoming’s mineral resource income is decreasing. The idea that our oil well in North Dakota will continue to produce may come to a sudden halt.

I am also tired of the whining that we are 49th in the nation when it comes to teacher’s salaries. We are probably 49th in a lot of other occupations’ salaries. It is obvious former teachers cannot be objective. The entitlement philosophy for teachers is alive and well in Jamestown.

Janice Guthmiller

Jamestown

Tags: opinion, letters, politics