LT article 8/5/08

Updated: 8/4/2008 11:42:01 PM
Board to disclose Klaus decision Friday
By Julian Emerson
Leader-Telegram staff
Former Eau Claire school district Superintendent Bill Klaus' future with the district remains a mystery despite the fact the school board on Monday reached a decision regarding his employment.

The decision marks an apparent resolution to the controversial Klaus contract saga that has prompted school board and police investigations and led to the resignation of Personnel Director Jim Kling and possibly Klaus' dismissal.

But board members weren't releasing any details about their decision, saying they won't convey that information until Friday morning.

"We're not going to give out those details right now," board President Carol Craig said.

Craig said the board is waiting until Friday to allow school district attorney Kirk Strang of the Davis and Kuelthau law firm time to draft its decision and "give this the kind of review it needs."

Eau Claire attorney Thomas Guelzow, who is representing Klaus, said Monday afternoon he wasn't aware of the board's decision regarding Klaus. He said the board's waiting until Friday to announce that action seemed unusual but might allow for negotiations of whatever terms the board reached.

Last month the board negotiated a settlement with Kling in which he received a $148,500 retirement stipend payment, posing the possibility of a similar action for Klaus.

Guelzow has previously said any settlement Klaus would agree to would have to include his full $267,209 retirement stipend plus a buyout of the remainder of Klaus' contract, which ends in 2012. On Monday Guelzow seemed to have softened his stance but said any agreement "still has to be something reasonable that offers fair compensation to Bill."

Guelzow criticized the board for its failure to interview former board members Carol Olson and JoAnne Evans during its investigation, given that they voted on Klaus' contract approved Feb. 5, 2007. Last week Guelzow presented the board with affidavits signed by Olson and Evans stating that the board intended Klaus' retirement stipend payments begin at age 53 instead of 55 when they previously were allowed.

Controversy about Klaus' contract surfaced in April after revelations that he directed Olson - no longer a board member at the time - to sign and backdate a document allowing Klaus to begin receiving his stipend last August.

Several board members said the board never discussed granting Klaus his retirement stipend at age 53, and board meeting minutes don't show the board approved that action. However, other board members said the board intended to give Klaus that money at age 53.

Klaus didn't receive that money after the board in October determined that he couldn't access it until age 55. He said he requested the money early to ensure it went to his family in case he died before retirement.

Last summer Klaus became Northstar Middle School principal. He was placed on paid leave on April 30 pending investigation results.