How do you think the superintendent is doing?

Regarding the Citizen's page one article on the Plainville Superintendent's pay raise: While no one will argue that Madame Binkowski is doing a great job, it seems ironic that the Board of Education would award her a 3.4 percent salary increase while at the same time "...reduce instructional supply accounts, textbooks, library books, and custodial and maintenance supplies," as well as... "Additional reductions in... staff professional development, 10 paraprofessional positions, a high school guidance position, a half-time English Language Learner position, three literacy tutors, and a number of monitor positions... a Talented and Gifted Instructor... and new teaching positions to meet class size goals." (from page 2 "Positions Eliminated From Schools" of the same edition) -not to mention "The Board has decided to eliminate all sports programs at the Middle School of Plainville and replace them with intramurals." (page 21, "PHS Indoor Track Team Spared, Middle School Athletics Cut," of the same edition).

Is this the same BOE that claims to hold our children's interests first and foremost when making any budget considerations? With all respect to the Superintendent, I'm sure that she can live quite comfortably on the salary she had. The money would be much better spent on the kids.

Perhaps the Board of Education would like to defend their position at the next "All Day Budget Vote."

RL Parren, Plainville

How do you think the Superintendent is doing?
I have to answer this question with a long story. First of all, my opinion may be somewhat favorable towards the job performance of Kathy Binkowski who is the superintendent of the Plainville school system because I have known her since she was 14 years old and she graduated in the same Plainville class as one of my younger brothers and I have considered her as a friend for all these years.
When the BOE invited the public to a question and answer meeting with the candidates who were applying for the superintendent position, I decided to attend. I figured that here is someone that I have known for many years, who started in Plainville as a teacher and now was applying for the top position in her profession and I wanted to hear what she had to say.
A woman in the audience asked Kathy a question that had 5 parts to it. When the woman was finished with her question, I didn't remember the first part. Kathy proceeded to answer the first couple parts of the question and then was able to joke about how involved the question was and then finished answering all parts of the question. I thought this was pretty impressive for someone who must be under some pressure when applying for this top job.
I have recently had contact with Kathy for many different reasons and in different capacities, such as a taxpayer, associate of a local newspaper, member of the capital projects building committee and as a member of the Plainville community fund distribution committee. Some of my issues were in direct conflict with the elected BOE (of which some members would like to have seen me go away) and other sensitive issues pertaining to the school system. I have to say, that in every situation Kathy treated me respectfully, always returned my phone cals or made appointments for me to meet with her in her office where we could discuss and resolve issues. I will put in a word for her assistant, Joan who was always pleasant, helpful and efficient.
I have recently seen Kathy take the heat for something that is the responsibility of the BOE. When books and other school items were discarded in a dumpster at the Toffolon project, Kathy answered the out cry over this waste in a newspaper article. The BOE knows what is happening with the school renovation projects and they should be responsible for delegating the disposal of school property that is considered unusable for the Plainville school system, the superintendent has more important issues to deal with. I volunteered along with other citizens at a furniture giveaway at Linden and I understand that there was another giveaway at Toffolon. It is better to pay some overtime than to pay for dumpster fees.
Now for the crux of this issue. I believe that 90% of the Plainville population would say thar $144,000.00 is alot of money, it is more that three times my yearly income.
I know that a superintendent puts in more than 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, has an enormous amount of responsibility and the puplic doesn't hear about half of the problems or issues that are incurred. They have to be a skilled delegater and have trusted subordinates.
From what I have been hearing this salary appears to be to going rate for superintendents in this size town and area. ( Don't forget, someone has to be the superintendent).
I would like to see the Elected BOE try to get some salary increase concessions from all of the administrators during these financially difficult times.
To end this story, I would say that Kathy is doing pretty good! I would also like to state that I am not related to Kathy in any way and I am not looking to land a high salary position with the BOE. I hope that Kathy doesn't get mad at me for posting this but she still has my support.