Benefits for Administrators Formalized in 4-3 Vote
On March 20, the school board approved an overall benefits package for school district administrators. The vote formalized the level of benefits the administrators currently receive in their contracts. The package does not apply to the superintendent or the associate superintendent, whose contracts are negotiated individually. The vote was 4-3 with Board President Shawn Green and board members Larry Snow and Aileen Seedorf voting against the administrative benefits package. Green said he voted against it because of inconsistencies with vacation days for various positions. Snow said he voted against it because the district should not have been approving an administrative benefit package while engaged with the teachers’ union in contract negotiations. He also insisted that the package included an increase in benefits for administrators. Seedorf did not explain her no vote on the issue.
THE REST OF THE STORY
Snow said the board was acting irresponsibly by voting on administrative benefits while they were in the middle of contract negotiations with the teachers. The truth is, administrative benefits are in no way tied to teacher benefits or compensation and Snow knows this. In fact, Dr. Burkey was quick to point out that recent increases in the teachers’ contracts have outpaced increases for administrators and that administrators would probably love to receive the same increases that teachers have received for the last few years.
Snow suggested postponing the vote on administrative benefits until July. What Snow hoped others would not realize is that moving that vote to July would have been pointless. The way those contracts are written, the administrative contracts would have automatically renewed since administrators did not receive the legally-required notice that benefits had not been approved and could be changing. Could it be that Snow, who claims to be an expert at arbitration of contracts, knew this but hoped others would buy into his suggestion that the others were acting irresponsibly.
Snow also insisted that the package included an increase in benefits for administrators. Both Dr. Burkey and Human Resources Director Lauren Smith denied the claim, and when Snow was asked to point out where the benefits were increasing, Snow could not produce any proof of his accusation.
The most important thing Snow hopes others don't know is that even with the formalization of the benefits, District 158 administrators continue to earn below average wages when compared to Illinois’ other large K-12 districts. Smith said the benefits offered to administrators in District 158 are comparable to those offered in other districts of similar sizes.
How incredibly hypocritical of Snow and Seedorf to want the administrative contracts to auto-renew without formalized language pertaining to benefits, when they have been so outspoken about a former superintendent who they say gave administrators extra benefits in contracts because the allowed benefits were not formalized by the board.
UPDATE
Bongo is hearing from some readers who are having trouble posting comments. Bongo will look into the issue, and until then, he will post comments that are e-mailed to him.
From "Toto": I am delighted to see the way you are pining him down point by point, particularly his motivation over the administrator's benefits.
I personally would have elevated Dr. Burkey a bit rather than his comment being meant to put the Bully in his place. However, you are writing it.
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1 comment:
I attended the recent School Board meeting Thursday. Though he did not slam his fist against the desk. I wish I had heard your attachment "I'm against it" since I would have counted. Once again Larry snow wanted to not allow a vote on approving the administrative benefits for the district. In fact, he wanted to wait until July with his reasoning being he thought it was unfair since they are in the process of getting a new teachers contract. It is apparent that he is not in favor of a number of benefits etc given to our administrators. Here is how I look at it.
If I was an employee or considering employment I would want to find a job or remain with my current employer provided I was at minimum receiving the pay scale and benefits in a similar range to my peers in the field. I mean after all would any of us tax paying citizens accept a job or remain in a job that did not offer competitive salary and compensation. The answer is obviously no. Let us not forget also that these administrators have to pay the same taxes as the rest and may be more depending on where they live with their families, but I know a number of them live right here in our district.
It seems Larry must think they all live in a secret communities or are members of a secret club laughing at the rest of us, dinning on expensive wines and food. etc.. saying thinking "Boy do we pull the wool over the eyes of the district or what"! Lets get realalistic. Fortunately there are members of the board who view understand what it takes to retain and hire professional administration and staff to conduct the work of the district. The vote passed without Larry or Aileen's approval.
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