Dear Chairman Knapp, Thank you very much for your response. I want to be clear that I am not asking the District to spend more money. What I have urged is for the Board and the Administration to make students’ needs the top priority. When the issue is increased compensation for the Superintendent or another member of his Cabinet, or maintenance of the ERD structure, the spigot is open and the money flows freely. When the issue is making sure our kids enjoy equal access to education and have the materials they need to do their best, the Superintendent’s response is, “We can’t afford it.” I have no doubt that Mr. McHugh’s presentation on administrative overhead is very detailed. But the reality is that on the Board’s watch, Administrative salaries have continued to climb while parents, students and teachers are being told no more money is available for textbooks, classroom materials, and other basics. Who matters more? The students? Or the Administration? Finally, you raised the issue of the Superintendent’s upcoming evaluation. As you note in your letter, "the public education system is being asked to do more and more with less and less.” As such, I am sure you can agree that in these tough fiscal times, it would not be prudent to spend another dime on administrative compensation until the District is meeting the needs of all of its students. Thank you for your attention to these matters. Sincerely, Brian O’Leary