MJC benefit comparison a bit off-base

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My father always taught me that when making comparisons you must get all the facts and make sure you are comparing apples to apples. In its editorial "MJC faces dilemma over insurance costs" (Oct. 30, Page A-10), The Bee exaggerates the community college district's generosity when it comes to paying for employee health care.

Several years ago the Modesto City Schools' employee bargaining unit chose to forgo health coverage in favor of monetary compensation. If you examine the both salary schedules, you will see that MJC certificated staff does have their health insurance covered by the district, but in doing so they receive lower salaries. Read it for yourself. Salary schedules are public knowledge and the Modesto City Schools schedule can be found at http://is.gd/4OmsJ, while the MJC salary schedule is located at http://is.gd/4Oms2. MJC instructors make between $5,000 and $8,000 less per year than their high-school counterparts. That is money that can be used for health insurance premiums.

The budget crisis is real and some very tough choices lie ahead. Those choices will be better made if we have all the facts and make accurate comparisons.