Last Updated: March 05. 2010 1:00AM
Special letter
DFT: Greed destroys Bobb's credibility
Detroit school Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb's decision to accept an $81,000 pay raise at a time when he has negotiated or demanded cost-saving concessions from thousands of Detroit Public Schools employees and eliminated the jobs of others has destroyed his credibility throughout the district ("Bobb's pay stirs ethics controversy," March 4).
The contract with the Detroit Federation of Teachers allowed the district to reduce its direct expenses by $130 million over the life of the contract, including DFT members participating in the Termination Incentive Plan, which will result in our members having their pay reduced $10,000 over 40 pay periods. The contract increases their prescription costs and, for some, increasing their health care contribution by eliminating health care options.
Members of other unions have or will suffer even greater financial hardship through pay and job cuts. It is disingenuous for Bobb to talk about making tough decisions to restore the district to fiscal solvency, yet accept increases that take his salary, not including benefits to $425,000 a year.
The average salary for the head of a school district is $226,000. What is Bobb doing that warrants a salary nearly double that average?
Furthermore, it is a cold slap to the face of Detroit school district employees to tell us we must tighten our belts while his money belt is widened.
This is a matter of right and wrong. A gesture of good faith would have been for Bobb to refuse a pay increase even if it were offered. The foundations that offered the increase as well as Gov. Jennifer Granholm should feel ashamed for insulting Detroit Public Schools' employees.
Greed is not good, and this is greed.
Keith R. Johnson
President, Detroit Federation of Teachers
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100305/OPINION01/3050332/1008/OPINION01/DFT--Greed-destroys-Bobb-s-credibility