What was the point?

After reading yet another story on teacher pay in Western Connecticut schools, I have to say “What Was The Point?” of this series of articles?

As a former journalist, I’m at a loss as to what this was supposed to accomplish. Was this an “expose” to show that teachers are secretly earning too much money? If so, it failed miserably in many towns, where teachers — who already knew they were underpaid — have to have that fact plastered across the newspapers.

Or maybe that was the point — to embarrass hardworking teachers, just because they're an easy (public) target! Either way, it’s not journalism.

And yes, I know teacher salaries are public information. The question is, “Did you know that?” If so, what is the point of posting it all as if you did some great investigative work? All public employees have to live with their salaries being available to the public — why would our local journalists choose to mock them in this way?

I have to assume this story idea came from a disgruntled taxpayer (probably from my town, since that was the first story), angry that their taxes have to go for education. The reason I wish to believe this is because I can't imagine an editorial board meeting in which everyone agreed that this was a good idea!

I am a steadfast supporter of Freedom of the Press and I have previously written letters like this in support of journalists. I think it is especially important to stand by our free press when the profession I love has been under attack the past few years.

But this series is “lazy journalism” and does nothing to help stave off such attacks. There was no work involved here. A simple URL could have accomplished the same task.

So again I ask, “What Was The Point?”

Jim Keller, New Fairfield