George Doyle's letter to Judge Reece

".....we teachers went beyond our jobs for years by being counselors, nurses, surrogate parents, psychologists, etc. in the classroom every day for many years and it was never even considered that we should receive bonuses for this. We did it because we considered it was part of our job as a teacher and a caring individual."

11/11/05

Dear Judge Reece:

It has come to my attention that you have made a decision allowing the payment of bonuses to STRS non-investment personnel for simply doing their jobs.

I would like to point out to you that we teachers went beyond our jobs for years by being counselors, nurses, surrogate parents, psychologists, etc. in the classroom every day for many years and it was never even considered that we should receive bonuses for this. We did it because we considered it was part of our job as a teacher and a caring individual.

When these personnel hired on, they knew what the salary would be and what their job responsibilities related to these jobs would be. Why, then, should they be given bonuses for simply doing what they were hired to do. Do you receive a bonus for doing your job as a judge? I'm sure that you go beyond what is required of you on a daily basis or you would not be in your position.

In addition to these bonuses, these personnel also receive supplemental childcare, which we retirees pay. No one ever gave us supplemental childcare while we were teaching; we paid our own way. No one supplemented our educational expenses, either, but these employees receive educational assistance, which we retirees pay. No one furnished our classroom with elaborate furniture or sculpture or a wall fountain. I feel that enough is enough! It is time that this injustice be rectified; and you can do your part by not allowing these bonuses. We retired teachers deserve this at the very least. After all, who do you think gave these people the knowledge and skills to do the very jobs they are doing? If it were not for we retired teachers, they wouldn't even know evough to get a judge involved, much less be able to read the legal documents involved!

I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to give these people extra money for simply doing their jobs. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

George V. Doyle, President
Allen County Retired Teachers Association
OEA-R Life Member
NWOEA-R Life Member
NEA-R Life Member
CORE