How Much, Exactly?

It is amazing how “out of it” one can be. I know folks make a lot more money than they used to, but sometimes I am shocked at the reality of it all.

In a Texas newspaper today I read the following:   A “. . . school Superintendent became the highest-salaried public schools chief in Texas on Tuesday when trustees extended [the] contract by a year and increased [the]pay by $4,500, bringing [the] base salary to $328,950 from $324,450.”  WOW! Isn’t that close to what the President of the United States of America makes? Oh, I know there are business executives and others who make much, much more. But this person must be doing something spectacular, almost beyond belief, to garner such funds. I know people who are teaching in classrooms who are making, what, a tenth of that? Even at best, maybe a fifth of that. And that astronomical figure does not include the perks – like retirement and travel expenses, and such.

I would not have been surprised to read a figure of, say, $150,000. That is still well over three times the amount of most teachers, and I know our Church is helping a family or two whose kids have to wear the same pair of jeans every day because they only have the one pair. Maybe we would be wise to make a better investment in those kids and teachers. Let’s see, if we cut that salary by $100,000, we could buy at least 5,000 pair of jeans, or add a little extra food (many of those kids are hungry too) to 100,000 plates — no wait, the Government (meaning you and I) will do that.

I know this must sound like “sour grapes.” It’s not, really. I am just amazed that with much of society struggling with financial issues, there are people (school boards, for example) who are willing to put an awful lot of money into some jobs. Is it really that hard to find someone who can do this work?

I am sure I will hear that I don’t understand the scope of the job, the time and stress involved, and all that kind of stuff. But really, is this job (almost) as demanding as being “leader of the free world?”

I best get quiet now, and return to my work. Besides, I would be embarrassed for you to know my salary.