How public school money gets spent

[KBCraig]

... and, how public school administrators keep conning people out of their money!

Dupe of Earl: Nashua taxpayers taken for a ride

TAXPAYERS in Nashua are getting an education in perfidy.

Nashua school Superintendent Julia Earl has taken at least seven out-of-state trips on the public's dime. Five of those trips were to Texas — three to Houston, near Earl's Huntsville home, and one each to Austin and San Antonio, where her children live, The Telegraph of Nashua has reported.

She claimed to have traveled to a conference in Texas in December. But she arrived in Texas the day the conference ended, and she stayed for two weeks — which conveniently covered Christmas. Why she needed to meet with Texas school administrators is a mystery.

( . . . )

More:
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Dupe+of+Earl%3a+Nashua+taxpayers+taken+for+a+ride&articleId=60f6b14f-867e-4b5c-b10e-3a30307d8b21

And, from Nashua:

School board to investigate Earl expenses

By BILL DEDMAN and MICHAEL BRINDLEY, Telegraph Staff
dedman@nashuatelegraph.com, mbrindley@nashuatelegraph.com

Published: Thursday, Jun. 8, 2006

NASHUA – Two school boards – in Nashua and Tulsa, Okla. – have called special meetings to discuss Nashua school Superintendent Julia Earl, her use of public funds for travel, and her unpaid taxes.

( . . . )

The Telegraph disclosed Wednesday that Earl spent at least $8,000 to travel out of state at least seven times in her first nine months here, including five trips near her home and family in Texas. Four of the Texas trips were not for meetings of accredited educational associations, but for informal meetings with professional colleagues.

( . . . )

More:
http://nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060608/COLUMNISTS28/106080128

Gee. I can't imagine why people distrust how their taxes will be spent. 

Kevin

[Pat McCotter]

She was hired in 2005 as Nashua Superintendent of Schools. Two of the trips she took - one on the city credit card which she reimbursed and one on her own dime entirely - were for a job interview for superintendent in Tulsa, OK.

[Pat K]

oh but its for the kids.

[Russell Kanning]

I wonder how much she makes also.

[Lloyd Danforth]

Gee. I can't imagine why people distrust how their taxes will be spent.

I can't figure out why so few do distrust the way their tax money is spent

[Dreepa]

I wonder how much she makes also.

$125K

http://www.tulsaworld.com/Education/educationstory.asp?id=060511_Ne_A15_Candi684

[KBCraig]

Gee. I can't imagine why people distrust how their taxes will be spent.

I can't figure out why so few do distrust the way their tax money is spent

Sad, isn't it?

[GT]

I wonder how much she makes also.

In addition to being the higest paid school superintendent in the state. Here were here other perks:

1. Preamble. This agreement is entered into this 22nd day of July, 2005; between the school board of School Administrative Unit # 42, Nashua, New Hampshire, hereinafter ?SAU?, and Dr. Julia Earl, hereinafter called ?Superintendent?.

2. Employment and Term. The SAU agrees to employ the Superintendent, and the Superintendent agrees to accept employment in the position of Superintendent of Schools for a three-year term commencing the first day of September, 2005, and extending through the thirtieth day of June, 2008.

3. Compensation/Salary. The Superintendent shall receive a salary during the first year of this agreement of One Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand dollars ($125,000.00) per annum, payable in no fewer than twenty-six (26) equal biweekly installments and subject to such deductions as may be authorized or as may be required by law. The SAU hereby retains the right to adjust the annual salary of the superintendent for the second and third years of the agreement and any extensions thereof; however in no event shall the Superintendent be paid less than the salary she received for the prior year. When an adjustment is made in salary, it shall be upon vote of the Board of the SAU at a duly constituted meeting, and the minutes recording that vote shall be attached to this agreement and become part of this agreement.

4. Authority and Responsibility. As stipulated in the New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules, the Superintendent shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the local school district within the School Administrative Unit and shall be responsible for planning and administering the activities of the local school district within the School Administrative Unit subject to statutory requirements, the ED Rules and the policies of the local district. The Superintendent agrees to administer and supervise the schools of the School Administrative Unit in accordance with the laws of the State of New Hampshire and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, of the School Administrative Unit, and of the local district school board within the School Administrative Unit. The Superintendent shall be responsible for the nomination of professional staff as required by law and the hiring, placement, and transfer of all school district and SAU personnel. The Superintendent shall have the authority subject to approval of the Board, to organize, reorganize, and arrange the administrative and supervisory, teaching and other staff in such a way as, in the Superintendent?s best judgment best serves the school district.

The Board, individually and collectively, agrees to refer all complaints, concerns or suggestions called to its attention to the Superintendent for study, recommendation, and/or other appropriate action.

5. Certification. The Superintendent shall be required to hold for the life of this agreement a valid certificate for Superintendent of Schools, properly registered and issued by the State of New Hampshire.

6. Renewal of Contract. This contract shall be automatically renewed for a period of one year on the same terms and conditions of the last year of this contract unless the SAU, at least one year before the end of the original three-year term of this contract, gives written notice of non-renewal to the Superintendent. After the third year, the contract will continue to be automatically renewed for an additional year, on an annual basis, in accordance with this paragraph.

During any period by which this contract is automatically extended pursuant to this paragraph, the Superintendent is entitled to written notice of non-renewal at least six months prior to the end of such term or this contract will automatically be renewed for another one-year term. In the event of non-renewal, the Superintendent is entitled to make formal presentation to the SAU Board.

7. Termination for Cause. This agreement may be terminated by the SAU at any time, without further obligation on the part of the SAU, for immorality, incompetence, insubordination, or failure on the part of the Superintendent to conform to the laws of the State of New Hampshire, the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, of the School Administrative Unit and the local school board within the School Administrative Unit. If conflict arises, the rules and regulations established by the SAU Board will prevail.

Termination of the Agreement for one or more of these reasons shall take place only following written notification with reasons specified. Unless the Superintendent submits to the SAU, within twenty (20) days of receipt of such notification, a written request for a hearing before the Board of the SAU, the Agreement is considered terminated as of the date, which falls thirty (30) days after the Superintendent?s receipt of notification. If the Superintendent requests a hearing, the SAU shall hold this hearing, which shall be public or private at the option of the Superintendent, within twenty (20) days beyond receipt of this request. The SAU shall render a written decision to the Superintendent within ten (10) days of the hearing.

8. Termination without Cause. If at any time the SAU in its discretion shall so determine, the SAU may relieve the Superintendent of her duties under the Agreement, provided that the SAU continues to pay for the duration of the Agreement, or any extension thereof, base salary and insurance benefits accorded the Superintendent under the provisions of the Agreement. In the event of termination, any continuing obligation on the part of the SAU will be offset by compensation received from other employment.

9. Termination by Mutual Consent. This agreement may be terminated at any time by mutual consent of the SAU and the Superintendent. The Superintendent agrees to provide the SAU not less than 90 days notice of resignation.

10. Vacation Leave. During the first year of this Agreement, the Superintendent is entitled to 20 days of vacation and 4 personal days. Unused vacation time may be accumulated to a maximum of 40 days and at the expiration or termination of this Agreement, the Superintendent shall be entitled to payment for any unused vacation leave at the Superintendent?s salary rate at the time the Agreement expires or terminates.

11. Sick Leave. Sick Leave with full pay shall be granted at the rate of 15 days per year cumulative to 185 days. The Superintendent shall be entitled to payment at her per diem rate not to exceed a total amount of 20% of 185 days. Such payment will be made in the final paycheck as a lump sum included in the final year?s salary with all appropriate deductions withheld.

12. Sabbatical Leave. The Superintendent is eligible for a sabbatical leave after completing a minimum of seven, consecutive years of service with the SAU.

13. Holidays. Holidays will be provided commensurate with the usual and customary national, state, and local holidays. The Superintendent shall be entitled to the holidays in accordance with the Merit Employee Schedule. Compensatory time will be provided for paid holidays, which occur while school is in session or on a weekend.

14. Insurance Benefits.

a. Health: The Board agrees to provide monthly payments to the Superintendent for health insurance costs, equivalent to the City of Nashua single person POS (point of service) plan or equal health insurance plan.

b. Dental: The SAU shall provide dental plan insurance in accordance with the Merit Employee Plan at no cost to the Superintendent;

c. Life: The SAU/ will provide group life insurance plan at 3 x the Superintendent?s base salary at no cost to the Superintendent;

d. Liability: The SAU will provide a public liability insurance plan at no cost to the Superintendent to cover legal expenses in defense of claims and payment of judgments from her functioning as Superintendent and will reimburse her for any portion of such judgments not covered by insurance. In no case shall individual board members be considered personally liable for indemnifying against such demands, claims, suits, actions and legal proceedings;

e. Disability: The SAU will provide long-term disability insurance in the amount of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Superintendent?s monthly salary with a ninety (90) day elimination period or until the Superintendent has exhausted all of her accumulated sick leave, whichever is greater. The benefit covers the employee up to the social security normal age retirement age, or until actual retirement per the terms and conditions of the policy at no cost to the Superintendent;

f. Vision Care: The SAU will provide vision care for the Superintendent in accordance with the Merit Employee Plan at no cost to the Superintendent.

15. Travel and Expense Reimbursement. The Superintendent shall be reimbursed at the IRS rate for travel and shall be reimbursed for other expenses for the business of the SAU inside or outside of the geographic boundaries of the SAU. The Superintendent shall also be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses resulting from the performance of her duties as Superintendent.

16. Car Allowance. The Superintendent will be entitled to a car allowance of $500.00 per month in order to facilitate the performance of duties. The Superintendent shall bear any tax consequences arising from payment of this allowance.

17. Cell Phone. The Superintendent shall be reimbursed monthly for the costs associated with the use of a personal cell phone for School District business.

18. New Hampshire Retirement System Transfer. To the extent permitted by the regulations of the State of New Hampshire retirement system, the Superintendent will be permitted to transfer out-of-state service to NH for purposes of retirement benefits. One year of service transfer will be purchased by the district at the end of each year of service in the Nashua School District, up to a maximum of 5 years of out of state service. The SAU will provide a tax sheltered annuity to facilitate this transfer to the extent permissible by law.

19. Moving Expenses. The SAU will pay reasonably incurred moving expenses for the relocation of the Superintendent from her present home to her permanent residence.

20. Temporary Housing. The district will pay reasonable temporary housing costs for a period of 6 months, provided such costs are pre-approved by the SAU.

21. Performance Bonus. Based on the Superintendent?s Performance Evaluation and measurable progress of the SAU, the SAU may also, in its sole discretion, in each year of the contract, award the Superintendent a Performance Bonus equal to a reasonable percentage of her then current Base Salary, said bonus to be paid in the subsequent contract year. The Performance Bonus shall not be considered an increase to Base Salary. (The Superintendent?s Performance Base Bonus for the first year of the contract will be determined in connection with her 2006 performance evaluation and will be calculated upon a Base Salary of $125,000.00.)

22. NH Retirement System. Retirement Plan: The SAU shall contribute the Superintendent?s annual payment into the New Hampshire State Retirement Plan for certified Staff and Administrators

23. Professional Development. The Superintendent shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending work-related professional growth activities and attendance at national, regional, or state conferences, seminars, workshops, or meetings provided all such expenses are within SAU-approved budgets.

24. Professional Associations. The SAU shall pay the Superintendent?s fees and dues to the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, the Regional New Hampshire School Administrators Association, the American Association of School Administrators, and such other professional associations as may be mutually determined by the Board and the Superintendent.

25. Medical Examination. The SAU may require the Superintendent to have a medical examination by a physician selected by mutual agreement once each year with the cost of such examination to be borne by the SAU unless covered under the Superintendent?s medical insurance policy. Any report of the medical examination shall be given directly and exclusively by the examining physician to the Superintendent. Such report shall be confidential.

26. Performance Evaluation. The SAU shall provide the Superintendent with at least one written evaluation each year of the Superintendent?s performance under this Agreement. This evaluation shall focus on, but not limited to, the written role description and to the written goals and objectives established by the SAU. In the absence of such evaluation by the SAU, the Superintendent?s performance shall be presumed satisfactory.

27. Professional Activities. The Superintendent may engage in activities such as teaching, lecturing, or consulting, in addition to employment with the SAU, provided these activities do not interfere with the Superintendent?s performance of responsibilities under this Agreement.

28. Purchase of Insurance. The Superintendent may, at her option, pay for the insurance benefits as outlined in this contract from her own funds. The SAU will reimburse the Superintendent for costs incurred by the Superintendent for the purchase of such insurance.

29. Savings Clause. This Agreement is subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations of the State of New Hampshire. Invalidity of any portion of this Agreement under the Laws of the State of New Hampshire or of the United States shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the Agreement.

[Russell Kanning]

My therapist says I can't read all of that ...... $125,000 plus bennies!!!!

Luckily for my blood pressure ... I don't pay for these people anymore.

[Dreepa]

Busted:
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Superintendent+put+on+leave+by+Nashua+board&articleId=e3bb4c82-02bf-44e1-8cb0-f031e3ff7f03

[cathleeninnh]

hrummph, paid leave.

Cathleen

[Kat Kanning]

My thought exactly.

[lildog]

What kills me the most about this story is we in Merrimack still pay more for our school district