College District Finances Argue Against Faculty Pay Hike Now
I am alarmed to see the deceptive materials developed by some of my colleagues in the Saddleback Community College District--specifically, a recent document from the Orange County Citizens for Quality Education, composed primarily of a few union faculty members, soliciting large donations to support candidates challenging our current Board of Trustees.
Recently, this organization disseminated a Fact Sheet outlining the need to unseat incumbents. The mailer strongly implied that a cash contribution and a vote for union-backed candidates would guarantee each instructor a “pay back” generated by a 5% raise.
Even though I am a faculty and California Teachers Assn. member, I am appalled at the tactics of the Orange County Citizens for Quality Education. The growing state deficit and the current recession, which have adversely affected the district’s revenue, make a 5% guaranteed pay raise fiscally irresponsible.
Personally, I support the manner in which the incumbents have managed the budget in a time of fiscal crisis and believe that their reelection is in the best interest of our district and the community it serves.
WILLIAM HEWITT
Member, Budget Committee
Saddleback Community College District
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