NIC: Editorial makes sense

Your editorial on Friday June 24 caught my interest on a few points. The first, which you very well made, concerned the previous expenses incurred by the college of $64,642 in paying a firm to search for a replacement president. Your recommendation of forming a local search committee to perform the search and evaluate the applicants would save much taxpayer money. The committee could consist of school officials and community leaders.

The other point in the editorial which seemed to be mentioned almost in passing but which really caught my attention was the comment about the tenure of presidents "often lasting just five to six years, just long enough to qualify for retirement benefits." If this is true, there is something wrong with the system.

First, we should be looking for a president who will be here long enough to learn their way around and be an effective administrator. Secondly, why are retirement benefits accrued after such a short time? No wonder they leave so soon. Why stick around when they can stay five years, then move on to a higher paid position, while we, the taxpayers, continue to pay their benefits?

Thank you for a fine editorial bringing to light these matters which the public would probably not have been aware of.

JOSEPH L. FOTI

Dalton Gardens