George, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I've been following this issue for years. We have two children in Pleasanton public schools. I would like to see the Weekly or another paper publish all compensation for PUSD administrators. I believe we have far too many highly paid administrators. However, without public disclosure, we, the tax paying public, have no idea how much we are spending. The San Jose Mercury News(4/15/08)exposed massive overpaying of San Jose city employees - over 35 employees make over $200k per year. This pattern of scarce resource abuse follows throughout the region - I suspect we have this issue with our city administration as well- I fear that our local papers ("Hello Weekly") are far to cozy with the powers-that-be to get involved in important investigative reporting. The State of California Supreme Court recently ruled that all public agencies must publish all employee salaries. We, the people, need to take back our government. Do I hear anyone saying "Stop The Madness"?

The only way to know how many administrative positions we have in PUSD is by getting an organizational chart, one that has the position (without naming the person) and its salary next to it.

Just by looking at the PUSD website, you can get an idea of the large staff, but we need an organizational chart (just take a look at the Public Information Department, Human Resources for instance to get an idea - there are Assistant Superintendents, Directors, Administrative Assistants to these people.....)

I like the idea of sending those highly paid administrators back to the school sites. If they have to be a Principal at one site, they will realize the need for the staff that works DIRECTLY with the kids, and perhaps even realize just how top management (at the district office) should learn how to be more efficient, consolidate duties and stop unnecessary positions and expenses.... do most of us working in the corporate world get meal and gas stipends? (because for some reason, our superintendent, already making a healthy salary, thinks he needs meal and car stipends, an interest-free loan for his house!)

Resident, it's interesting to note how communities justify the ever escalating salaries and perks. Our leaders talk about competition for the best talent. True enough. However, top pay and perks should not be the driving factors in attracting the best talent to this town. Pleasanton is a terrific place - safe, friendly, clean, etc. Let's be honest, if you had a choice between working for PUSD or any number of bay side districts - San Leandro, Hayward, Oakland, etc., where would you want to work? Compensation is not always about $$, quality of life still counts.

I still want to see our local papers dig into the compensation issue. I recall several stories in the Weekly a few years ago, but the stories only scratched at the edge of the issue. We deserve full disclosure now - from city, PUSD, county, state and fed.

Dear Real Progress,
What you want is public information. Just call the district and ask for it. You don't need to wait for a newspaper to investigate it.