Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Superintendent Holds Elgin School Board “Hostage” for $400,000
I can hardly believe the lead story in Elgin’s Courier News today.
Elgin’s District 46 school superintendent, someone named Connie Neale, told the school board she wanted a hefty raise, plus a “10-20% tax-free bonus on top of her current $242,000 salary,” according to school board member Daniel Rich.
Reporter Erin Calandriello wrote of the board members being told that Neale had networked across the state and nation and thought she could easily be hired elsewhere for more.
Quoting Rich, reporter Calandriello wrote,
Rich said the board was bargaining “with a gun to our heads.”
She must be really something else.
School board member Rich resigned as a result.
Of course, Neale didn’t have to resign. He could have just given the interview of what happened behind closed doors and watched what happened at the public meeting when Neale’s contract will presumably be approved by the remaining cowed school board members.
Besides her ability to get another job, Neale pointed to 40 grade schools having made their goals under the No Child Left Behind Act and the school’s stronger financial situation.
The story did not mention that the better financial condition was the result of selling non-referendum working cash bonds.
Elgin’s District 46 school superintendent, someone named Connie Neale, told the school board she wanted a hefty raise, plus a “10-20% tax-free bonus on top of her current $242,000 salary,” according to school board member Daniel Rich.
Reporter Erin Calandriello wrote of the board members being told that Neale had networked across the state and nation and thought she could easily be hired elsewhere for more.
Quoting Rich, reporter Calandriello wrote,
This means Neal will be making “around $400,000 next year.”Rich pointed to her compensation package, which includes a car, disability insurance, health insurance, a cell phone and teachers retirement fund contributions, among other benefits.
Rich said the board was bargaining “with a gun to our heads.”
She must be really something else.
School board member Rich resigned as a result.
Of course, Neale didn’t have to resign. He could have just given the interview of what happened behind closed doors and watched what happened at the public meeting when Neale’s contract will presumably be approved by the remaining cowed school board members.
Besides her ability to get another job, Neale pointed to 40 grade schools having made their goals under the No Child Left Behind Act and the school’s stronger financial situation.
The story did not mention that the better financial condition was the result of selling non-referendum working cash bonds.
Labels: Connie Neale, Elgin School District, U46
Comments:
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Tell the Superintendent to go back to work until the contract expires. Do not allow her any sick days off without a Doctor's notice. if she spends time soliciting other jobs on the District's clock, fire her ass and sue the enticing District for interference with a contract.
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