By Steve Gunn
EAGnews.org

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Memo to public school board members across the United States:

It’s good that so many of you are looking to cut costs in areas that don’t affect student learning. Union labor budgets are obvious and necessary targets. But you should look at your own labor budgets as well.

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An editorial in the Manchester Union-Leader questions why Manchester school committee members continue to draw health and dental insurance from the city, which oversees the school district. The newspaper makes some good points on this topic.

According to the editorial, 10 of 14 school committee members accept either health insurance, dental coverage, or both, at an accumulated cost of $90,000 for the premiums alone.

At the same time the school district is experiencing enlarged class sizes due to budget constraints, with close to 40 kids packed into some classrooms. The editorial accurately notes that $90,000 would pay for at least one more teacher, salary and benefits included.

Some board members defend their decision to accept the benefits, saying they devote a lot of time to their school activities and deserve to be rewarded.

“It is a lame defense,” the editorial counters. “Health and dental insurance are for full-time employees. Elected board members are not employees; they are volunteers. Many of them … are employed in the private sector and could opt for private-sector insurance. They choose not to because the taxpayer-funded insurance is free to them.

“Most people would probably take such a perk if it were offered. But it should not be offered because it is not an essential service the city must provide. A small stipend is justified, medical benefits are not.”

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We couldn’t agree more. School officials everywhere are looking to save money these days, and in many instances have asked employees to accept a little less. But that kind of request rings a bit hollow if the  officials are unwilling to do the same.

Leading by example is one of the most effective forms of leadership. The members of the Manchester school committee should give it a try.