Superintendent Abe Saavedra Of Houston, Texas Gets A Deal

Wheels For An Educator?
Sooner or later in almost every teacher's career we have had to endure some administrator cracking wise about, "You didn't get into education to get rich!"

But the Houston Chronicle is disproving that old saw.

Abelardo (Abe) Saavedra, Houston's new superintendent of public schools, has just signed a contract that gives him the following:

• A starting base salary of $270,000.
• A $60,000 bonus if student performance improves.
• $1200 monthly cash car allowance
• $400 monthly cash allowance for cell phones and P.D.A.s

I have read lately that a top-paid classroom teacher in Texas (with 30 years service) earns somewhat less than $50,000 per annum.

At his last assignment, as Superintendent of the Corpus Christi school system, Abe had a few problems. It seems that there was this little matter of allegedly using a district credit card to charge a few er....ah...adult beverages at restaurants.

He was indicted by a grand jury, but was acquitted in a trial. When asked about the whole mess, Saavedra said, "I honestly made some mistakes in Corpus Christi in not paying attention to the details."

Nevertheless, the Corpus Christi School Board gave Abe his walking papers.

Far be it for the 'Wonks to deny anyone a second chance. We don't even mind people making good money for good work.

Frankly, what bothers us is that $1200 per month car allowance. When multiplied times twelve, Abe gets $14,400 every year for his wheels. As a classroom teacher that actually uses my own car from time to time for school business, I don't get a nickel.

The 'Wonks own school district is very typical. It is said that our superintendent receives a $1000 per month car allowance. We don't know because his contract is "confidential." What we do know is that every administrator receives a gas allowance of $100 per month.

With all the money that these people are making, can't they at least buy their own cars? Do they have to "rub it in?" Do they really use $400 worth of cell phone per month?

Next time one of these highly-paid "educators" clowns makes some idiotic joke about not getting into education in order "to get rich," I think that I'll send him or her a dozen dead roses. Just to show that I care.