It was my pleasure to work at a Mukilteo School District school this past year. Unfortunately, after one short year, I got RIFd (reduction in force), and now work outside the school district. My salary was, as are many other salaries, a tiny fraction of Dr. Toothaker’s “prize money.” I haven’t complained much about being personally involved in the school district’s budget cuts up until now.
It’s beyond me how Dr. Toothaker could even consider taking any money away from the students, teachers and staff of the Mukilteo School District, much less the school board offering him that ridiculous amount of money. It makes me think about all the times we couldn’t order the supplies we needed because there wasn’t enough money in the budget. And what about all the times our teachers use their own money to provide needed supplies for their students? And what about all the grant writing done in hopes of more supplies for the classrooms? The wish lists must be long for each school. Where’s the fairness? Where’s the integrity?
The secrecy surrounding this whole thing can only make one wonder what “mistake” the good doctor, and/or the school board must have made. Whatever it may be, Dr. Toothaker certainly shouldn’t be paid for it. What are the children learning from this – that secrets are OK? Or worse yet, big secrets are OK if you pay someone lots of money to keep quiet?
I stand in judgment of the school board and the superintendent, as people stand in judgement of me when questioning my integrity. As well it should be. Checks and balances. Well, I’ve checked, and there’s no balance. This is an outrage.
Everett
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