New rules overdue in Clark County schools
To the editor:
Kudos to the Clark County School District. I was so pleased when I read the recent article about Chaparral High School and the new discipline measures being instituted. Especially where it was stated, “Frankly put, the teachers aren’t going to put up with any crap. Electronic devices … aren’t allowed anywhere on campus, even between classes.”
When I substituted in the Nye County School District, I stated to every class I had that I wouldn’t “put up with any crap when you are in this classroom. This is a school campus and you are here to be educated, not babysat, so we will be completing the assignment left by your teacher.” It was this approach to substituting that had me in a classroom, most times at the direct request of the teacher, every day that I chose to substitute for five-plus years.
Want to know how long it was before the students were complaining to their parents, who complained to the principals and the School Board, both of whom caved to their demands that I was too strict with their children? Sometimes it was after I had their child for one period because they called their mom on their cellphone between periods. There were students who told me in that one period that they would tell their mom and get me fired — all because I expected them to behave and learn the lesson being taught.
So while I applaud the new attitude at Chaparral, I don’t hold out much hope for its longevity because there are too many parents who don’t want their child disciplined in any way — even if it means that their child might actually be educated within the public education system.
Kathleen M. Stone
Pahrump
Generous deal
To the editor:
Am I the only person shocked — shocked! — by the level of wages and benefits paid to North Las Vegas police sergeants and lieutenants, as stated in the Tuesday article by Kristi Jourdan.
The average salary stated was $147,700, plus $72,600 in benefits.
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. average salary for these positions is about $75,000. What is it about North Las Vegas that accounts for these positions paying almost double the national average?
The recently negotiated settlement with this union resulted in the union giving up cost-of-living raises of 6.75 percent this year, and future cost-of-living raises through 2014.
Who in the private sector is getting these types of annual raises in this economy? (Answer: virtually nobody).
In exchange for this concession, the union members received the right to get 100 percent of their unused accrued sick leave when they leave (versus 60 percent before) and they get an additional 40 hours of vacation each year. Did anyone do the math on this deal?
From my perspective, giving up a 6.5 percent raise in exchange for a week off with pay and the potential to get 40 percent more of the unused sick pay upon retirement sounds like a pretty darn good deal … for the union members.
Lastly, what private-sector benefit package is worth $72,600? I get company subsidized health insurance (worth say $10,000; I pay $2,000 of the premiums, so say it’s a net $8,000 benefit); I get a match on my 401(k) worth $5,000; the company pays a portion of Social Security, say $5,000; and I get a few weeks of time off (vacation and sick leave combined), say $10,000. Total is about $28,000. I think this is pretty representative of a private-sector benefits package for those of us who are lucky enough to have a full benefits package.
I’d love to know the components of the union’s benefits package, but $72,600 sounds a bit out of whack to me.
In good times, I am all in favor of paying hard-working police, firefighters and teachers as much as is fair given that they put their lives on the line for us and educate our children. But it seems to me that in this particular case, there has been an escalation in these wages and benefits to a level that is no longer sustainable, especially by a city that is on the brink of financial collapse.
Steve Des Champs
Las Vegas
Getting jobbed
To the editor:
I will not be listening to the president’s speech on jobs next week. It will be the same “give money to my friends” proposal as the last time.
This will be a program that will create jobs only for the union buddies who give so much to the Democratic Party. At last report, unions represent only about 10 percent of the nation’s workers. What about the other 90 percent who need jobs, too?
The money to be spent will not create any long-term jobs but will pay for short-term jobs to fix school buildings and infrastructure. Why not spend the money on projects that will create meaningful work for the 15 million who are out of work, not just the 1 million union jobs that have been lost?
Get real, Mr. President. Help American workers, both union and private, not just your millionaire friends.
Frank Walker
Las Vegas
No planning
To the editor:
I just finished reading last week’s Time magazine, which made a good case for demolishing foreclosed houses to decrease the number of houses available for sale, thereby increasing the value of the remaining houses.
Here in Las Vegas, where the same article listed us as the worst area in the nation for foreclosures, we continue to build new houses. This makes absolutely no sense. Small wonder we’re watching our home values plummet.
I guess there is no planning whatsoever in this city.
Linda Hollis
Las Vegas
