Re. "Some severance (Letters, The Tri-City News, Dec. 26).
The Editor,
As a retired School District 43 employee, I was appalled at the severance package paid to the former secretary-treasurer, which was quoted as $230,000.
I was employed by Coquitlam school district for more than 30 years, as were most of my fellow retirees. We did not resign but retired with the understanding that we would be covered by extended health and dental benefits, for which we paid our share of the costs when we were employed by the district. The previous board of education chose to cut our benefits to assist in balancing the budget without any dialogue with or advance warning to us that this would be happening.
Unlike the previous secretary-treasurer, who can find another paid position elsewhere, we retirees are travelling on a path that curtails this opportunity.
I would, therefore, hope that the present board revisits and cancels the severe cuts made to our benefits plan. This action would acknowledge the retirees' loyal service over the years.
Elizabeth McKnight, Port Moody
NO COMPARISON
The Editor,
I am one of the 160 plus employees in School District 43 who lost their jobs due to budget cuts. I have worked with the district since 1992. My severance packages was as Dave Ginter described in his letter: I received six months severance pay - this is not even two weeks for every year worked, like most employers pay.
What is really pathetic is my pension package. We are paid based on full-time years worked with the district. I have 18 full-time years, 23 years since being hired. The amount is significantly less than what I am getting on Employment Insurance, which is going to top up my pension until I run out of the EI benefits. Out of this, I have to pay for my reduced coverage in my medical benefits (but I am happy I have the option to have extended health care).
I would like to be employed by the district but it cannot see a duty to accommodate me in any department.
Former secretary-treasurer Richard Humphreys' severance is ridiculous. I wonder why he stepped away so quickly after the huge errors where found in the SD43 budget and it is now in such a mess?
I wonder what superintendent Tom Grant is getting for his retirement package? Are his extended health benefits reduced? Does he have to even pay for his extended benefits?
We should all be treated equal with retirement and severance packages. We are all needed to keep the district running smoothly, whether you are a caretaker, maintenance worker, secretary, educational assistant or any other SD43 employee. Each one of us is as valuable as the next employee because we are needed to run a school district.
Colleen Davies, Coquitlam
