Letter: Superintendent’s raise is justified (Jan. 28)
During the past several weeks I have read the opinions of others who were against our Superintendent John Stafford getting a pay raise, and now I would like to express my opinion on the matter and I am confident the “silent majority” of teachers in our wonderful progressive school district of Madera Unified agree with me, even if just a little bit, but don’t want to express their view in writing.
When MUSD hired John Stafford, he brought with him an air of excitement, positive change, and confidence that has filtered down and throughout the entire district. I agree that our previous superintendents did a fine job; however, Mr. Stafford does things with charm, grace, and a smile. It makes my day every time I see him. The man, in my opinion, is truly, “excellence personified.”
Now, we have had several other superintendents and they were all fine people, people of integrity and fine caliber. However, none of them had to supervise our district through the most challenging financial crisis since the district was unified. So, let’s give credit where credit is due. John Stafford is responsible for every meal our students eat, every bus ride they take, every book they use. It is an enormous responsibility he is charged with, and he does it with excellence.
We elected our Board of Trustees. The emphasis is on the word “TRUST”. I trust Mr. Garibay, a selfless community servant, and the others did the best thing for MUSD by authorizing the pay raise for our beloved Superintendent John Stafford. Hey! I mean it! I told Mr. Stafford when I met him, “I used Stafford shirts from J.C. Pennys and they’re great!”
Well, he’s great too.
Our district is moving in the right direction. Tough decisions have to be made, but I will tell you what, we’ve got the right man at the helm of this ship and I’m proud to be a member of his crew.
MUSD is extremely fortunate to have John Stafford as superintendent. He is more than capable. He inspires. He motivates. I think Mr. Stafford is the epitome of what a superintendent should be.
This district is truly blessed with excellent administrators at all levels. I invite the public to visit our schools from time to time and observe them in action.
P.S. and please don’t compare our superintendent to the one in Fresno Unified. I still recall the outrageous pay raise received in his second year that was double digit. How quickly we forget.
I commend Mr. Stafford and his entire staff of the outstanding job they are doing. Keep up the great work.
Brian Donald O’Donovan,
MUSD teacher, Madera
This sounds like Human Resources’ damage control. It would be much more effective with SPECIFIC examples of the “great” things Stafford has done. I like to see numbers and facts. Otherwise, everything is just an opinion and opinions aren’t worth very much.
WEBMASTER’S NOTE: The following letter to the editor is apparently advice for the Madera Unified School District superintendent.
Be a hero — return the raise our MUSD School Board appreciatively awarded you — even the part you asked for — and with the stipulation it goes to the teachers’ classrooms.
Now you will have won the war, and the hearts — and you will be a real hero of a great many people. Better days are coming, bye and bye.
Ray W. Pool,
Madera
Super Stafford has only been working independantly for one year. They paid the last Larry six figures to coach Super Stafford. Garibay says that they would spend 10 grand recruiting, lol, is that what the tribune asks for today. Super is not leaving at 60, he makes way too much. Replace the board!!!