LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Poaching a woe for TPS, firms

8/20/2012

There are similarities between Delaware's low corporate taxes ("Delaware haven for corporate America; State benefits draw rogues, legitimate firms," July 8) and suburban school districts hiring Toledo Public Schools teachers and administrators ("Suburbs lure TPS principals; Toledo district can't match offers, loses leadership talent," July 2).

Delaware poaches tax revenue from other states. States, municipalities, and schools poach talent away from where it may be needed most.

Companies should pay taxes where their employees are working. That may require federal laws to supersede state laws to establish equity among state taxes.

School districts in a locality should have similar pay scales. Such disparities will continue as long as we do not have the political will to eliminate the undue influence of borders and jurisdictions that often serve only the narrow good of a fortunate few, rather than the general good.

Randy Wheeler

Maumee

 

Principals should bargain contracts

Toledo Public Schools officials would like us to believe -- just before a levy vote on Nov. 6 -- that they don't have enough money to keep principals. Your July 2 article detailed a continuing loss of leadership critical to righting the flagging fortunes at TPS.

Principals at TPS are unionized. TPS can't match offers to retain outstanding leaders, because a union contract creates a pay scale that restricts what TPS can pay principals. It ensures that TPS cannot reward talented, proven leadership and offer competitive salaries.

TPS officials would like you to think they don't have the money to compete, but an extra $100,000 or more to keep valuable leadership would not hold them back.

If principals want to be paid market rate, the answer is simple: They should remove themselves from the union and negotiate individual employment contracts.

Past contract negotiations have created this problem, not reduced funding for schools.

Steven Flagg

Elmhurst Road

 

Attendance, casino put levy in doubt

I find it hard to believe that, after the articles about TPS' attendance reports and the money it will receive from Hollywood Casino Toledo, anyone would vote for the district's levy. Why hasn't TPS withdrawn its levy request?

Donald Olejnik, Jr.

Warsaw Street

 

Dog warden's office should have 3 shifts

The Lucas County dog warden's office should be staffed 24/7. Contracts are negotiated that include overtime ("Commissioners approve accords for dog services," July 11). Why aren't there three shifts with no overtime?

As a county resident I have dealt with stray dogs in late afternoon, at nights, and on weekends. Doesn't three shifts make more sense than paying overtime?

Mary Poe

Primrose Avenue