I have read many articles in your newspaper. I have heard the opinion (both positive and negative) of many community people and I believe that overall Dr. Wayne Alexander is doing an excellent job in the short period of time he has been the superintendent of Hernando County schools. I support his changes and the improvements he has put in place to improve the school district. I am also pleased to see that he has created a vision to meet the needs of all students throughout the county. It truly is about the kids.
But I am a bit confused. Most people know that when a contract is in the process of being negotiated by a union or an individual, the increase asked for is always much more than what is anticipated as a settlement when all is said and done. I do believe the teachers union does this every year in their negotiations for a better contract and a good increase for all teachers.
Why is it such a surprise to people that Dr. Alexander should request 14 percent? It's really only common sense when you think about it. Don't you think that he knows he's not getting 14 percent? For crying out loud, he's negotiating, just like the teachers do. But you know what? If he is negotiating with the school board members, why would a board member share his opinion with the newspaper when this information is suppose to be confidential? The last time I heard, negotiations are confidential or has that recently changed?
More importantly, I am more interested in knowing his final salary, which obviously won't be with an additional 14 percent. Both Dr. Alexander and the teachers of our county deserve higher salaries, which should be based on their performance and not just across the board salary step increases as I believe is the current process.
We are fortunate in Hernando County to have an excellent superintendent, many outstanding teachers and other dedicated school personnel who all deserve to get paid accordingly.
