Posted: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 1:00 am | Updated: 11:43 am, Wed Nov 25, 2009. To: The editor
From: Curtis M. Weaver Jr.
Perryville
When Kelly Keeton was hired as spokesperson for the Cecil County Public Schools, I was proud that a fellow Perryville High School graduate was off to such a start in her profession. However, I found it astounding someone with such a thin resume commanded a salary of $53,000 from a school system that perennially bemoans its funding levels.
Since Ms. Keeton’s salary is higher than the normal starting range for public relations, the board of education needs to satisfy taxpayers that funds are being spent prudently and there was integrity in the hiring process.
Were guidelines for advertising and filling this position followed? Were candidates with more extensive experience interviewed? What was the budgeted salary for this position? How does Ms. Keeton’s salary compare to those of her predecessor and spokespersons for other school systems?
To paraphrase Stephanie Palko’s column, $53,000 is a lot of money to throw at a recent college graduate with no experience.
If someone fresh out of college was the most qualified applicant, why was the position not re-advertised? Truly qualified applicants should have been a dime a dozen. Was the job itself the problem? Is the position of CCPS spokesperson even necessary?
The transition to an elected school board should mean greater accountability to the public, not less; the board may need to re-examine the hiring process itself. I am concerned that Ms. Keeton lacks credibility with the public and media, and I fear she may be viewed as a mouthpiece merely for the school system bureaucracy.
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