Do it for the students

Ms. Macan,

We believe that the Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School provides outstanding services for the students and community at large. However, with Governor Cuomo's Proposed Executive Budget targeting public education to make up the purported $10 billion deficit New York faces, the district will undoubtedly face cuts to vital programs. There will obviously be reductions in programs and teacher layoffs, but there are a number of ways to avoid such cutbacks without teacher concessions.

This includes a voluntary reduction in your salary from the current $147,947 rate to the $130,000 rate you earned in 2008.

This $18,000 in savings could ensure that students don't lose access to educational programs that help them grow - both in maturity and intellectually - and encourage learning. This could save a program that could prevent the dropout of an at-risk student. For this student, your concession could be viewed as a heroic act that leads to future success.

A voluntary reduction in your salary would demonstrate your commitment not only to the community, but also to the ideals of public education.

The community is watching. Please make the right choice.