The Minneapolis public schools are requesting a 4 percent property tax levy, the "highest increase of the city's major taxing jurisdictions" (Sept. 26). The new money would, in theory, be used partly to support pensions for nonteaching staff. This would include, it may be assumed, the superintendent's pension. This request must be considered in light of the fact that the superintendent was paid, last year, $190,000 and a bonus of $12,184 from public funds -- from our property taxes. This salary is way out of line with that of the highest public servant in our state, Gov. Mark Dayton, who, by statute, may receive only $120,303 yearly and no bonus. Until the superintendent's salary better reflects modern economic reality, the district's request should be denied.


M.A. LUBOZYNSKI, MINNEAPOLIS