Readers write in about teacher pay, good work by the GPD and
send kudos to a local restaurant
YOUR VIEWS
Kindergarten teacher compensation question
Dear Editor,
In regards to the recent article which reported on some of the teacher’s salaries as an example of how Gilroy Unified School District teachers’ salaries can be among the three lowest paid districts in the county, when the teachers are paid so high, the information was sadly mistaken. The reporter used my monthly pay, and multiplied it by 12 (a year). A school year is only 10 months long. Many teachers take a sizable voluntary deduction for the 10 months, so they can receive pay for the two months during the summer.
Besides the deductions for state and local taxes, medicare, and the State Teacher’s Retirement (instead of Social Security), we also have deductions for union fees, and medical insurance coverage. What is left doesn’t go real far with a mortgage, dependent, and the commute to work.
Like many teachers, mine is a single-income household – not to mention, that the classroom supply budgets barely cover basic necessities for the classroom, and I, like many teachers, spend out of pocket averaging $500 to $1,000 each year.
Finally, good teaching requires many hours beyond the class contact time. The average teacher works 9 to 12 hours most days, and some even longer. Many are at school during weekends – or at home averaging 6 to 10 hours. There are also vacations and the summer.
In all fairness, the reporter did try to see me on Thursday afternoon, but I was in one of three meetings I had that day after school (parent, grade level, and school committee).
I hope this letter clears up any misconceptions.
Melissa Guerrero, Gilroy kindergarten teacher
Editor’s note: The information listed in the box that accompanied the story in Saturday’s edition regarding teacher salaries was headlined Top kindergarten teacher compensation. As reported in the box, Ms. Guerrero’s salary was not listed, but her total compensation, including benefit costs, was. The reporter did not use a monthly salary and multiply it by 12. The information came directly from GUSD.
Excellent effort from Gilroy Police; but let’s not discuss crime rats!
Dear Editor,
In a previous written article headlined “Gilroy PD unresponsive”, I wrote about the crime sprees occurring on Crawford Drive to alert local residents. There have been other crimes on this street since then. Our frustration led to the organizing of a Neighborhood Watch meeting through the help of Gilroy Police. Sgt. Kurt Ashley who did an outstanding job answering questions from local residents as they complained about speeders, burglaries, car thieves, transients and, believe it or not cats, mice and rats!
Residents need to understand that crime prevention does not include animals! When was the last time a cat stole a car or a rat carried off a Honda boat motor and an air compressor? So, for all the other neighborhoods who decide to join the Neighborhood Watch meetings, be mindful of why you are there. As for the small group of people who did attend, thank you, it was amusing.
Neighborhood Watch is part of community policing, a police philosophy and organizational method to provide more effective police services to the community.
As the population grows, crime rates tend to grow and as a result more neighborhoods will be affected. Other problems that are contributing to crime are the Section 8 homes and renters who allow criminal guests to frequent their homes thus making it easier for them to stake out potential victims.
This is an area where there is little or no help from the police, landlords or anyone else in government. It is not a crime to visit a house for the purpose of staking out other homes in order to return later to steal and burglarize.
I would like to thank those landlords for allowing criminals to live in their homes and pay their mortgages and bring the value of our homes down with their criminal behavior.
Neighborhood Watch will never be effective if people don’t make the effort to look for criminal activity or suspicious behavior and then do something about it by reporting it to the police.
John K. Martin, Gilroy
Folks at Harvest Time Restaurant did a great job for 80th birthday
Dear Editor,
Kudos to the Harvest Time Restaurant. Recently, on the occasion of my husband’s 80th birthday banquet, Mr. Adalberto Gonzalez and his entire staff put on an outstanding buffet and the wonderful service.
The restaurant, and the family and friends in attendance, made it a most memorable evening.
Linda Barrena, Gilroy
