Missoula Area News

1600 sign petition opposing Missoula superintendent's raise

Posted: Jan 31, 2013 9:47 PM by Cristy Aranguiz - MTN News

MISSOULA - The recent concerns raised about Missoula County Public School Superintendent Alex Apostle's 29% salary increase show no signs of stopping.

Hellgate High School senior Yetta Stein and three other students put together a petition in opposition to that raise and so far, more than 1,600 people have signed the petition in just a little over a week.

Stein is organizing a march on Feb. 11, the same day as the next Missoula School Board meeting, and tells us that 500 people plan to walk from the Higgins Avenue Bridge to Hellgate High School.

Stein then wants supporters of the petition to go to the school board meeting and ask Apostle to reject the salary increase.

"Since the teachers are voiceless in this process, they say 'I have a dream for an Internet connection that works, I have a dream for textbooks for all students.' That's all the teacher organization I've seen. I know they're not in it for the money," Stein said.

"Dr. Apostle is invested in my education for the money. I know my teachers are invested in my education for my education," she added.

Apostle's renewed contract will have him earning $200,000 in 2014.

Some school officials have defended Apostle's salary hike, saying that teachers can also ask for, and receive raises by reaching certain goals.