LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Pay study in wrong direction
Editor, the Leader-News:

I read with interest in Saturday's edition of the Leader- News that once again, ECISD is discussing methods of setting salaries for teachers and administrators.

Basic logic instructs that when doing comparisons, one should compare items of value with items of like value. In simple terms, compare apples with apples, oranges with oranges, etc.

The method used results in administrator salaries that are higher than average of like districts and teacher salaries that are lower than average of like districts. Not exactly an apple-to-orange situation, but one which certainly causes me to wonder why the same comparison data is not used for both administrators and teachers.

Apparently, ECISD sets teacher salaries using a sampling of districts of similar size located to the south, southeast and west of El Campo, while setting administrator salaries using a sampling of districts of similar size or larger in enrollment located to the north, northeast and east of El Campo.

Demographic data will tell you that the cost of living and doing business is greater to the north, northeast and east of El Campo, resulting in higher demand for teachers and administrators, which leads to higher salaries.

I am convinced that ECISD isn't competing with districts that are to the south, southeast and west of El Campo for administrators and teachers, but with districts that are north, northeast and east of El Campo. Those are the districts that we need to be comparing our teacher salaries with and adjusting to.

A good school system needs excellent administrators and teachers. El Campo is blessed to have many dedicated administrators and teachers who certainly go above and beyond what is expected of them. However, as Harris and Fort Bend counties continue to move closer, the lure of higher salaries and better benefits certainly will impact ECISD!

Sincerely, Keith Gibbons