In response to “Greensburg Salem keeps taxes flat, cuts librarians and band teacher” (June 29, TribLIVE):
At the June 29 Greensburg Salem School Board meeting, Superintendent Gary Peiffer and school board President Ron Mellinger assured the public they have tried every possible creative solution to save numerous eliminated positions. If this is true, it’s implied a solution was enacted. However, the truth is there was no solution at all.
Board members Mellinger, Jeff Metrosky, Robin Savage, Jonathon O’Brien, Brian Conway and Frank Gazze voted against raising the millage rate. The thousands who signed online petitions to save the band and library positions, many of whom are in the community and district, would label that as a solution. These same board members then voted to approve a budget to finalize the eliminations. Can someone tell me what solution the board found? Where is the creativity they boasted? I can’t see or find it.
No matter how much time was spent working on this budget, I don’t believe the board tried every possible solution. They were not creative. They did not follow their mission listed on their website. They did not vote on behalf of students and families. Their solution is no longer having an elementary school librarian, middle school librarian, elementary school band teacher or community liaison. It’s also having one less tech ed teacher.
Mellinger, Metrosky, Savage, O’Brien, Conway and Gazze now have quite a legacy.
Zachary Harr
Delmont
The writer is a 2009 Greensburg Salem High School graduate.