LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

+ Reader lauds stances on teachers, spending
Dear Editor:
The Our View commentaries in the April 7 edition were terrific — kudos to all involved.

“Teachers must share the struggle” — was the best down-to-earth, unbiased factual commentary I have read to date on this subject.

“Federal spending insanity” — again simply stated, it presented the real situation and what is being done or not done. The family budget comparison was the best analysis that put the subject in a true down-to-earth presentation we could all follow without getting lost in the billions and trillions.

I sent an email to U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan stating he should read both of these commentaries and use them in his speeches.

Again terrific.
Tim Rhoades
Manatee County

+ Manatee district needs financial lessons
Dear Editor:

We are extremely excited to finally see something in any newspaper about what is happening in the Manatee School District.

This School District has had major financial problems, and it seems that some of our School Board members aren’t up to the challenge to make the difficult choices.

The community has had high profile business people to offer their help to put the district on a sound footing, but there has been a dead silence from the superintendent. We have attended most, if not all the School Board meetings, workshops, impasse hearings and have done an extensive amount of research using the district’s own documents and their own calculations, and it doesn’t look good.

When you hear the district tell you it’s the “board share,” those are code words for “taxpayers beware.” Yes, they want more of your hard-earned money.

You might not have a chance to vote yes or no. It could be left up to the School Board members. Do you feel they are looking out for you? In your editorial, you quoted Superintendent Tim McGonegal saying, “The current situation is our new reality.” He can talk the talk, but he can’t walk the walk. The School District invested $16,792 per child in 2009-2010 compared to the national average of $12,793.

Ask yourself: Are our students getting an education worth $16,792?
Peggy Martin
Bradenton

The East County Observer welcomes letters. Please include your full name, city of residence and a phone number. Letters should be concise. No personal attacks. Email us at [email protected] or mail them to 8788 State Road 70 E., Suite 103, Bradenton, Fla. 33202.