It isn't about insurance premiums

It bothers me to read that the teacher's raise was lost to
increased health insurance premiums.

It reminds me of the argument given to voters
when they are being asked to renew a tax;

"It won't raise your taxes."

Well ya, it does actually. It raises your taxes above
what they would be, had they not been renewed.

It is deliberately deceptive.

Increased insurance premiums are no more more responsible
for the net gain in teacher salaries, than are
increased interest rates, increased fuel prices, and increased
insurance premiums for every other insurance they own.

The only questions are; was 2% too little, or too much?

Taxpayers are getting very little bang for their buck
when it comes to education.

Why are taxpayers getting so little bang for their buck?

Where is the waste, and can it be eliminated?

Where is the corruption and the incompetence that
precipitate the waste?

Where is the impartial audit of the entire leadership of the APS?;

• the audit that will show taxpayers where money is being wasted, in order that it can be paid to teachers
• the forensic audit that will name the names of those who lost or stolen, likely, millions of dollars.

Where is the opportunity to stand face to face with public servants and ask legitimate questions, and expect honest answers?

How can the leadership of the APS simply refuse to answer legitimate questions about the public interests in the public schools?

We need to keep our eyes on the ball.

They would like stakeholders to squabble about
whether insurance premiums are the culprit;

and off of their squandering of the public trust and treasure
at 6400 Uptown Blvd.

What legitimate agenda does not move forward upon
the occasion of the next (first) APS town hall meeting?

Where is the opportunity for stakeholders to ask

why APS senior administrators took raises
well in excess of teachers, and educational assistants?

and expect a candid, forthright and honest response.