Curmudgeon's Corner

Village Buzz - February 2nd

Posted by Al Campbell on Feb. 2, 2012

Germantown, Education, School Board, Taxes, Quality of Life, Village Buzz

I read of the Milwaukee School Board's refusal to permit the food service work to be outsourced in spite of the fact that these union employees were being favored with "fringe" benefits equal to an additional105.8% of their compensation.  That is right; if they are earning $10 per hour (and I feel certain that is way too low but it is easy for comparison purposes), their benefits are costing another $10.58 per hour for a total of $20.58 per hour.

I made inquiry of the Germantown School District office and was pleased to learn that we are not saddled with anything like that example.  Our District has 3 full time union employees receiving full benefits.  They receive about 35% in fringe benefits.  We have 11 part time union employees receiving partial benefits that cost about 8% of their salary.  We have 19 part time non-union employees whose cost is some 6% for fringe benefits, and we have 12  part time non-union employees who work a few hours daily who receive no benefits.  All compensation and benefits costs for these employees are covered by food service revenue.

This inquiry brought about an exchange between me and Supt. Sue Borden who wanted to be sure that I drew a full picture of how different our District is from the Milwaukee School District in areas other than food service and the list she provided follows:

Germantown School District attributes:

100% graduation rate; WKCE scores that lead the area in almost all grades; superb attendance rates; one Blue Ribbon school and another nominated for the Blue Ribbon; three nationally Board Certified teachers; three Blue Ribbon principals; among the 16 top money-managing districts in Wisconsin; in the lowest third of teachers' salaries in this area; a balanced budget; in lowest third of spending in this area; and, is in the bottom 8% of the more than 400 districts in the state so far as administrative costs.

Supt. Borden ended by telling me she felt "truly blessed" to work with "such an extraordinary staff and students" and with "so many talented people".

Make sure you have plenty of time if ever you wish to ask the Superintendent about her District; she is obviously very pleased to tell you.  That, by the way, is meant with good humor!