Various Letters to the Editor

Updated: 7/18/2008 7:57:01 AM
Klaus harmed district

"There has been an incredible amount of harm to Bill's reputation," stated Thomas Guelzow, attorney for former Eau Claire school district Superintendent Bill Klaus. We can agree to this twisted thinking. However, "Mr. Bill" is the foolish, ignorant one who decided to show his true character, integrity and thirst for money by going behind the backs of the present board members to "work in the dark" to better himself. "Mr. Bill" is the one who did incredible harm. Included with him are the likes of former school board presidents Carol Olson and Mike O'Brien. If they didn't think it was illegal, then why did they do all within their power to hide the true intent?

As great as the disdain for "Mr. Bill" is, we now have a greater concern for the ineptness of school board member Mary Kneer. Should someone be school board vice president who states she "loses track of the conversation when contract language is discussed"? No wonder this board is in the current fiasco. Since Kneer can't stay focused, she should stay home and resign. She is not qualified to hold a position on the board.

One final note concerning business practices and ethics: I thank Mark Donnelly for his response to questions concerning operations at Hope Gospel Mission. I sincerely respect the goals and directions of Christian organizations. As Christians, we are called to a higher standard, and Hope Gospel Mission must specifically show to who and where their budget goes. The community has a right to ask how much does the Steward family earn and where each penny is spent. God calls us to that example, and being ready and willing to show all is necessary for the secular community's concerns.

ORVIN BYSTOL
Eau Claire


NOTE: The original Editorial that Schulz is responding to can be found posted on this blog earlier in July.
Updated: 7/15/2008 6:02:02 PM
Editorial's call for charges in Klaus case unwarranted
By Dean Schultz
The Leader-Telegram's June 26 editorial by Tom Giffey, headlined "Justice now in hands of school board," begs a response. The editorial commented on Eau Claire County District Attorney Rich White's decision not to file criminal charges in the contract dispute involving former Eau Claire school district Superintendent Bill Klaus. While the editorial is probably correct in stating that many in the community were "undoubtedly disappointed" with that decision, the next statement - "Count us among the disappointed" - is disturbing, to say the least.

Like previous Leader-Telegram articles, the editorial mentions Klaus, former school board president Carol Olson, Klaus' former secretary, Patti Iverson, and other district administrators. The editorial states that some "have already been convicted in the court of public opinion" and adds that it would have been "gratifying" to see them prosecuted. That statement is irresponsible on its face. Since when do we rely on the public, who do not have the benefit of information gathered by either the police or the school board, to decide who should be prosecuted for - much less convicted of - a crime? That smacks of a lynch mob mentality. The editorial's support of that mentality by stating it would be "gratifying" to have them prosecuted and that the author is disappointed that they won't be (in the face of an acknowledgment of the absence of adequate evidence) is frightening.

Lest you think I'm an apologist for these folks, I assure you I'm not. Unfortunately, this biased commentary detracts from some positive analysis. I agree that the inadequacy of the closed session meeting minutes is deplorable. And the signing of the backdated contract amendment by Olson does raise suspicion; it was an incredibly ill-advised (and perhaps unethical) thing to do since she was no longer on the board. But was it done to fraudulently add a provision that had never been considered or approved? We the public (and the Leader-Telegram) don't know, because three board members say it was discussed, and three say it wasn't, with the seventh member uncertain. In the absence of other evidence, those statistics say just as loudly that the provision might be appropriate as they say it might not. In light of the district attorney finding "no evidence of conspiracy," it's quite possible, even likely, that there was an honest understanding that early retirement was discussed and that early stipend payments had been inferred as a logical extension thereof. While it's clear that Klaus would benefit from the added provision, what possible motive would Olson, Iverson or others have in fraudulently advancing such an action? Apparently the police investigation turned up none.

It's hard to comprehend the editorial's fervor for prosecution. Never mind that just as many board members said the early retirement issue was discussed as said it wasn't. Never mind that in our society people are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Never mind that the district attorney said there was insufficient evidence to prove guilt (if you missed the logic, that means they must be presumed innocent in the eyes of the law). Never mind that the district attorney apparently doesn't concur that the "court of public opinion" should make his, or the court's, decisions for them. Never mind the cost of pursuing legal action which, in the absence of adequate evidence, is a waste of taxpayer dollars. Never mind that the people involved have no history of "suspicious" behavior - quite to the contrary, they have been recognized by many in the community as sound public servants.

As the editorial points out, it's now the school board that must act. It's up to the board to act fairly and objectively on the basis of known facts - not on rumor, gossip, or the innuendo of specious editorial commentary. It's up to the board to insure better documentation of closed meeting discussions. And it's up to the board, above all, to respect the rights and interests of all involved - those of the persons directly involved and those of the taxpayers and citizens of our community.

As for the Leader-Telegram, I for one am very disappointed in its judgment. While I recognize that the editorial is simply an opinion piece, journalists also have a responsibility to report facts and avoid aspersions against an individual, group or organization. The editorial fails this test. The power of the press is immense. At stake is nothing less than the public trust. The exercise of that power demands an extraordinary sense of responsibility. It is disturbing when an institution on which the public often depends for impartiality abdicates that responsibility.

Schultz lives in Eau Claire.


Updated: 7/7/2008 7:37:02 PM
Shame on school district
As a citizen and retired Eau Claire school district teacher, I am very ashamed of the greediness of some administrators and the ineptness of elected officials dealing with contracts. The entire stipend situation has gotten totally out of hand and should have been revamped years ago. It is not saving the district money but is costing an exorbitant amount. There is no good reason for someone who "retires" from a position and then immediately moves into another in the district to receive an early retirement stipend. He or she is not retired. This is "double-dipping" and should be illegal. Board member Mike Bollinger informed me the board recently ended all stipends. This is better late than never, but for how many years will we still have to pay stipends to people who have been promised them in their contracts?

Former Superintendant Bill Klaus apparently had the nerve to want to get his greedy hands on this "gift" money before he reached the age that all other employees wait for. If having someone craft a document to that effect, backdate it and have it signed by someone no longer with the authority to do that is not illegal, it certainly is unethical. For the sake of the district's reputation and as a lesson to the young minds in our schools, I hope this will not be dismissed lightly.

I retired early from the school district in 1993 on the paltry stipend teachers get. However, I was very happy with it and the medical insurance I was given so that a younger, fresher person at a lower salary could take my place and save the district money. I did not go into another position in the system. Early retirees can do many more things in retirement than rip off the system.

PATRICIA LANGLOIS

Eau Claire



Updated: 7/6/2008 3:22:01 PM
Time to clean house

Having been a resident of Eau Claire for 83 years, I cannot believe that even if what the school board did was not illegal, it was at least not what we should expect from our school board.

I have been a supporter of all school referendums except the last one. The actions of this board take away any doubt that I did the right thing.

How we can have any faith in a board that is not sure if it voted on changes to former Superintendent Bill Klaus' contract? Three said they had, three said they had not and the seventh member could not remember if she had even voted.

The residents of Eau Claire not only have the right, but the duty, to clean house by recall election.

A lot of good people have served us well over time. We don't deserve a board that has had nine closed sessions and still is not able to say this was wrong.

GEORGE E. KUMFERMAN

Eau Claire