Erie Time-News headline editor grossly mis-states letter's intent

In the headline over a letter to the editor Friday, the Erie Times-News wrote: "School boards to blame for pension woes"

Whoever wrote the headline obviously didn't fully read or comprehend the well-written letter submitted by Selina Servideo of North East.

She wrote: "What caused the shortfall? Not the employees who benefit from the fund. Every employee contributes 7.5 percent of salary to PSERS. Employees have always responsibly contributed to their pensions, but the same can't be said for all school districts and the state (my emphasis).

"Before 2001, contributions were split essentially equally between the district, the state and the employees. But while employee contributions rose from 6.25 to 7.5 percent after 2001, the state and districts gave themselves a contribution "holiday" over the past decade and contributed almost zero percent in the years following 2001.(my emphasis).

Ms. Servideo further wrote: "The state and districts essentially gave themselves a "Buy now! Pay Later! No Money Down!" deal, and now that the bill's come due, they want the taxpayers, students and teachers to pay for their recklessness."

If the editor who wrote the half-correct headline had bothered to read to the middle and end of the letter, he or she would not have grossly mis-stated its full and valid thrust.