An open letter to Sparta taxpayers

Mr. David Slavin, president of the Sparta Board of Education, said in the Jan. 11, edition of the Sparta Independent: “We heard one reality check tonight. We are taking every step to make sure the right decision is made.” Two years ago at the first few Community Task Force (CTF) meetings, I proposed a plan to the committee, the Sparta Board of Education, and to Dr. Morton to make the Alpine and the Helen Morgan K-3 schools; the Mohawk Avenue School, 4-5; move the board’s office to the Mull House; keep the Middle School a 6-8 school; keep the high school as it is, and make the necessary repairs to each building. Two years later, after the board has spent “several hundred-thousand dollars to study the student population crisis” (page 7), and after an approximate $50,000 raise to Dr. Morton in the past two years, we are now back to square one of my recommendation for which I was highly criticized. Dr. Morton’s salary started at $143,900 in the year 2001-2002. His current salary is $195,415 with an additional $5,100 in perks ($25,000 more than the salary of the governor of New Jersey). He was also given a 5-year contract by this board of education. It is my opinion that the “reality check” of Mr. David Slavin should be that the taxpayers of Sparta need a new board of education and new upper administration now in order to get this very important job accomplished. The board has spent too much of the taxpayers’ money and done enough damage to this wonderful community. It is time for a change! Phillip Seranni Sparta