Surely they jest – Editorial

It’s difficult even to entertain the notion of a sensible elected official—in these days of financial hubris and gasping government budgets—supporting an idea as absurd as the one now stinking up the Foster Drive meeting rooms of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.

The school board’s finance committee is suggesting that elected board members receive lifetime medical coverage if they serve eight years in office. Committee members Gregory Baldwin, Randy Lamana, Tarvald Smith and W.T. Winfield are the brain trust behind this absurd idea, while Board President Jerry Arbour gave the idea a big thumbs-up after the meeting. Kudos goes to system employee Catherine Fletcher for being the lone committee member to vote against the idea.

Winfield took the notion foolishly further, suggesting that lifetime health benefits be offered retroactively to past school board members as well.

How out of touch is the committee? Our sister publication Daily Report conducted an unscientific poll of local readers. An overwhelming 92% of the more than 1,000 respondents said they think the insurance proposal is a bad idea. Let’s hope the full board comes to its senses and says, “No!”

Board members who support lifetime medical benefits are using their part-time public-service position to reward themselves. It’s more evidence they care more about themselves than the children of East Baton Rouge Parish.