Geraldine's
Facts Speak for Themselves
RECEIVED Wed., Aug. 10, 2005
Dear Chronicle,
Mr. King's response [“Postmarks,” July 29] to my letter [“Postmarks,” July 22] concerning the excessive perks received by Mr. Montenegro is disappointing in that he presents Mr. Montenegro as accepting a low-paying contract: "actually accepted less in salary when he accepted the position at Ysleta."
This is truly misleading in light of the facts and figures on which my "claims" were made. Yes, what Mr. King said is true that the house that the district purchased remained district property, which cost about $180,000. (How many school districts do you know buy a house for their superintendent to use?)
Mr. King also failed to note some of the other perks that KVIA ABC affiliate El Paso didn't: $73,100 retention bonus; $12,751 home security system; $9,611 pool maintenance; and $2,847 landscaping.
On top of Mr. Montenegro's salary, the cost of the home purchase, and other perks (home maintenance), Ysleta ISD's expenditures to hire Mr. Montenegro added up to nearly half-a-million dollars.
I didn't intend to bruise Mr. King's ego, but the facts speak for themselves no matter what kind of spin your News editor puts on it.
Anybody notice school finance in the news?
Mr. King's response [“Postmarks,” July 29] to my letter [“Postmarks,” July 22] concerning the excessive perks received by Mr. Montenegro is disappointing in that he presents Mr. Montenegro as accepting a low-paying contract: "actually accepted less in salary when he accepted the position at Ysleta."
This is truly misleading in light of the facts and figures on which my "claims" were made. Yes, what Mr. King said is true that the house that the district purchased remained district property, which cost about $180,000. (How many school districts do you know buy a house for their superintendent to use?)
Mr. King also failed to note some of the other perks that KVIA ABC affiliate El Paso didn't: $73,100 retention bonus; $12,751 home security system; $9,611 pool maintenance; and $2,847 landscaping.
On top of Mr. Montenegro's salary, the cost of the home purchase, and other perks (home maintenance), Ysleta ISD's expenditures to hire Mr. Montenegro added up to nearly half-a-million dollars.
I didn't intend to bruise Mr. King's ego, but the facts speak for themselves no matter what kind of spin your News editor puts on it.
Anybody notice school finance in the news?
Doug Yancey
[Ed. Note: Michael King wrote, "Montenegro actually accepted less in salary ... than the Board expected to pay." This speaks to the intention of the board and not the actual salary or value of perks. Nothing in Mr. Yancey's letter disputes King's assertation. Instead, arguments are made on a separate and different point; the facts offered are only to back up spin. Facts are facts and King's were right.]
