Featherbedding in Montgomery County Public Schools

Gazette Letter to Editor

...Would it surprise you to know that (according to the school system's own Web site) from 2004 to 2008 that enrollment in Montgomery County Schools actually dropped by 1,431 students? That's a reduction of students of 1 percent.

During this four-year reduction in students, one would expect a similar reduction in staffing and budgeting — right? But no, as we taught 1,431 fewer students, Weast and his gang added 490 professionals and 433 support personnel along with increasing their "austere" budget by more than a quarter of billion dollars.
In my book, adding [more than 900] professional and support staff while servicing 1,431 fewer students pretty much fits the definition of "featherbedding."...

...At some point, we have to make Weast and our school system accountable to do the job they are being paid to do in a responsible fashion. The taxpayers of this county have buckled down and produced more with less; it's time for the school system and the rest of our public employees to do the same...

Mark Scott, Cabin John