Administrators’ Pay Raises

* Doug Smith raises a very good issue (“Flatter or Fatter?” June 25), but misses the general sentiment of the community. The people of Los Angeles, parents especially, want competently productive schools that can meet satisfactory standards. If the LAUSD chief can do, or the board believes that he can, then the superintendent deserves every dime of his pay, notwithstanding how steep it is.

This is especially true now, as the public’s faith in the LAUSD bureaucracy has been badly shaken with news of Belmont and grim physical plant projections, low (and lopsided) standardized scores and an angry state Legislature threatening to take over. A wise and persuasive chief is needed. Such a daunting job, for which few are properly qualified, deserves first-class pay. And our support as well.

EDWARD IMBUS

Culver City

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I was outraged when I read that LAUSD’s top administrators are giving themselves 30% to 40% pay raises. Where I teach, we were asked to choose between field trips or having a psychologist five days a week. The explanation was that the “district anticipates giving teachers a 5% salary increase.” Students and teachers deserve better than this. The worst place to be in a school district should not be the classroom.

KARL SWINEHART

52nd Street Elementary School

Los Angeles

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Let me see if I get this right. The district increases administrative salaries, in some cases 33% to 44%. Increases the number of top administrative positions. Increases the number of people in the district making $100,000 a year. And this is all done in the name of educational reform? I guess my only question is, how many children will these high-priced individuals teach to read this year?

TOM IANNUCCI

Los Angeles