To the Editor: A few weeks ago, I wrote about how a custodian with 3 years experience earns more earn $44,750 plus overtime. This is double the state average of $23,000. I believe that the unusually high salaries are related to the fact that school board members have relatives working in the schools. Since then school employees and their families have written to question whether the average custodian in NJ really earns $23,000. Check the US bureau of labor statistics, http://www.bls.gov. There you will find that the average full time custodian in NJ earns $22,800. Mr. Kamp and Mr.Cea state that, “We make no apologies for hiring qualified people who happen to be related to board members.” OK. That’s their position. I disagree. Mr. Kamp and Mr. Cea further state that some custodians do earn more than some teachers, but that teachers’ salaries soon pass the custodians and keep going up so that a teacher with more experience will earn much more. They seem to be saying that since many teachers earn $90,000 it’s OK to pay custodians $45,000. I disagree. Mr. Kamp and Mr. Cea were correct on one point. I was wrong when I said that there were elementary classes with 27 students. I apologize for that mistake. The correct number is 25 or 26. They think that number is OK. I disagree. The job of the school board is to oversee the administration and the budget. One thing is clear from the letter from Mr. Kamp and Mr. Cea. They are very upset and they really, really, really don’t want me on the school board. When have you ever seen a business administrator and a superintendent so worried about keeping someone off the school board? Ask yourself “Why?” Barbara Carter Hewitt