School consolidation would save money

To the Editor:

I believe Bessemer Area Schools Superintendent Dave Radovich may have misled the voters in his letter to the editor published March 21.

Bessemer parents would not cede total control of their schools in consolidation. Bessemer parents would still have a voice and a vote in a consolidated district. As a parent of two Bessemer School District students, I would have no problem with either or both my children traveling to another campus.

There is money to be saved or repurposed in a consolidated district. Currently there are two superintendents, two business managers, one principal and three head teachers between the two districts. A consolidated district could have one superintendent, one business manager and two head teachers.

Eliminating one full-time superintendent alone saves more than $1.7 million over 20 years in salary and benefits. Bessemer’s last superintendent made $85,000 a year according a 2013 Daily Globe news article. Using conservative figures, approximately another $2 million could be saved with the elimination of one business manager, one principal and one head teacher over 20 years. That’s potentially $3 million saved in administration cost over 20 years.

City of Bessemer residents should also know prior to voting in May there will be water/sewer rate increases in 2014 and 2015, according to City Manager Mike Uskiewicz.

William Hill

Bessemer