Several things with Dr. “Liz” Swinford and the VWSD Board of Trustees selection and hiring of two new Public Relations personnel cause concern.

First, both are white, this doesn’t reflect sensitivity to the local demographics and the very function of PR.

Second, at least one of the five board members, Mr. Jim Stirgus Jr., correctly views this action as yet another wasteful and unnecessary burden on the taxpayers of Warren County.

Third, the salaries approved smell like road-cured skunk cooked with creosote railroad tie firewood. The new PR employees are to be paid an average of $48.651 annually, for non-technical, non-professional services; and this doesn’t include retirement or health benefits.

One employee is a recent college graduate and the other’s published relevant achievements appear limited. A certified, professional VWSD teacher’s starting salary is $33,100 and requires 27-years of service to earn the same salary as those PR women. There is something innately wrong with paying bean-counters and district support personnel exorbitant salaries while many teachers have to work two jobs to make ends meet.

Dr. Swinford and the VWSD Board of Trustees should review this PR personnel action for necessity, sensibility and correctness. Certainly the district’s voters should review their board member’s approval of this action.

Jon Duke

Vicksburg