Let me see if I have this right.

In December, while Jefferson was in-session, this same Cynthia Slotkin traveled to China, along with Susan Yom, the district's data-analysis person.

When this trip was announced at a board meeting prior to their departure, it was presented in the context of "research" into rolling out a Mandarin-language immersion program next year. It was never explained how this trip would benefit the district since the Mandarin program was not going to be located in Jefferson School and Susan Yom's job is to crunch numbers not develop language curriculum.

Now, less than 90 days since she got back from her trip, Slotkin announces she is quitting and so the ruse is exposed. This "research" trip was nothing more than a grant-funded boondoggle meant to give two district employees an all-expenses paid vacation in China.

Will the district disclose to taxpayers whether Slotkin and Yom were being paid for the week they took off to go to China? Did they accrue time towards their penson? Did they use up any personal days or vacation days? Did they submit any expenses for reimbursement? Did the district incur any costs as a result of their absence?

Once again the district wants to plead poverty to justify tax increases and turns around and allows to full-time employees run off to China to no apparent purpose other than two gals on the road having fun.

Ms. Slotkin is PAID a very large salary to run a school. It is a serious responsibility. To abdicate that responsibility so she can jet off to China is a disgrace; that the whole "research for the Mandarin program" has been exposed as a farce only compounds that disgrace.