LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Letter writer’s financial figures weren’t apples to apples

Editor, In his recent letter to the editor, “School district spends too much on administrators,” Mr. Hood implies the South Whidbey School District’s fund balance is just extra money sitting there for no reason. The school fund balance is the same as what is in your checkbook balance. The amount is available for immediate use. School districts receive their allotment from the state in monthly payments the last day of the month. The school district’s monthly salary and accounts payable averages $1.5 million, therefore they have enough money in the bank to cover one month’s salaries and expenses.

January 2, 2016 12:00 pm

Editor,

In his recent letter to the editor, “School district spends too much on administrators,” Mr. Hood implies the South Whidbey School District’s fund balance is just extra money sitting there for no reason. The school fund balance is the same as what is in your checkbook balance. The amount is available for immediate use. School districts receive their allotment from the state in monthly payments the last day of the month. The school district’s monthly salary and accounts payable averages $1.5 million, therefore they have enough money in the bank to cover one month’s salaries and expenses.

If SWSD did not receive their monthly allotment on time, they would need $1.5 million to just pay its salaries and general expenses for one month. Imagine if the district was not able to cover its payroll and general bills at the end of the month.

In this economy the legislative infighting over fed and state budgets could cause this to happen.

Regarding Dieringer School District and Mr. Hood’s comparison to South Whidbey: First, Dieringer only has two elementary schools and one middle school. They do not have a high school, which would include a principal, assistant principal/athletic director, counselors and a registrar just in their administrative area alone.

From the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s website, here is an apple to apple comparison. Since South Whidbey doesn’t have two elementary schools, I used Mr. Pfeiffer’s salary as the second elementary school principal since he covers K-12 at South Whidbey Academy. I think the position comparison below speaks for itself.

Superintendent

Dieringer: $145,692

SWSD: $148,587

ES principal

Dieringer: $126,716

SWSD: $105,941

ES principal

Dieringer: $107,734

SWSD: $101,826

MS principal

Dieringer: $126,553

SWSD: $113,853

Title I/SPED

Dieringer: $87,978

SWSD: $60,318

IT director

Dieringer: $94,673

SWSD: $72,309

Business manager

Dieringer: $104,951

SWSD: $112,976

Totals

Dieringer: $794,297

SWSD: $715,810

DONNA TAYLOR

Freeland

Editor’s note: Donna Taylor is a former accounting specialist at the South Whidbey School District.