LETTER: Hinz, Schafer deserve voter support

To the Editor:

There are two New Richmond School Board members up for re-election on April 3. They are Board President Rick Hinz and Board Vice President Bryan Schafer.

Our School Board has done an exceptional job this past year in getting a handle on outrageous spending by an out-of-control teacher’s union in our school district.

The WCEA local/NEA affiliate has enjoyed perks for years that included a Cadillac health insurance plan while working and a $150,000 health insurance handout upon retirement at taxpayer’s expense. They also receive a 25 percent cash bonus stipend for two years upon retirement and all this while under contract for a 1,378 hour annual work schedule (including lunch breaks).

Not to mention that they were able to retire at age 55 after 15 years of employment in our district. Most teachers are earning more than $40/hour, some considerably more, with a benefit package ranging from 20-35 percent above that.

Mr. Hinz and Mr. Schafer have been instrumental in working with the other school board members and School Administrator Morrie Veilleux in bringing some of these perks back to earth and at enormous savings to us taxpayers. You should have noticed a decline (especially) in the school portion of your 2011 property tax statement. When is the last time your property taxes went down?

It is very probable that the teachers will be hitting the voting polls heavily on April 3 with the intent of replacing Hinz and Schafer. Undoubtedly they will be dragging their spouse, kids, parents and neighbors with them after convincing them just how tough they have it.

Please help keep the fox out of the hen house. We can win this election but you must vote.

Tom Wulf

New Richmond

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion