Updated: 6/26/2008 11:32:01 PM
Larger Stipend
The retirement stipend payment to former Eau Claire school Superintendent Bill Klaus that has prompted police and school board investigations has previously been reported as totaling $225,000. Klaus' retirement stipend actually totals $267,208. District officials say the $225,000 provided previously to the Leader-Telegram was an estimate.
Attorney: Klaus not going to quit
By Julian Emerson
Leader-Telegram staff
Forget the allegations of wrongdoing. Forget the harm to his reputation. Embattled Northstar Middle School Principal Bill Klaus wants to keep his job, his attorney said Thursday.
"There has been an incredible amount of harm to Bill's reputation, but he definitely wants to keep working in the district," attorney Thomas Guelzow said.
Klaus' desire to remain with the district could be easier said than done.
The Eau Claire school board continues to decide whether to take disciplinary action against Klaus in the wake of an April 19 Leader-Telegram story detailing how last July former board President Carol Olson, at Klaus' request, signed and backdated a document directing Klaus' $267,209 retirement stipend payments to begin Aug. 1, earlier than allowed in his contract. Retirement stipend payments are payments to certain school district employees after retirement in addition to other retirement benefits they have accrued.
Klaus worked as superintendent for nine years before becoming the Northstar principal last summer. District officials say he didn't receive his stipend payments after the school board voted in October that he couldn'taccess them until age 55.
The board's investigation of the matter has included interviews with six district employees and could lead to discipline and possible firings of Klaus and other employees. Sources familiar with the investigation say board members are strongly considering firing Klaus. It remains uncertain whether that would entail a buyout of a portion of Klaus' contract, which extends through 2012.
Guelzow said he will advise Klaus to contest any attempts to fire him, especially given Eau Claire County District Attorney Rich White's decision Wednesday against filing criminal charges related to the contract alteration.
Division among board members regarding their recollections about whether contract changes they approved on Feb. 5, 2007, allowed Klaus to receive the stipend payments early gives his client's version of events more merit, said Guelzow, noting he blames the board for confusion surrounding Klaus' contract.
Former board members Carol Olson, Michael O'Brien and JoAnne Evans said they believe the contract intended the early stipend, while current board member Mary Kneer - who praised White's decision - said she can't remember whether early payments were discussed or not.
In contrast, statements by board members Carol Craig, Trish Cummins and Brent Wogahn directly contradict other board members' versions of contract discussions.
"No way did we say (Klaus) could retire at age 53. That's just not what happened," Cummins said.
While Olson said she believes Klaus' contract allowed the early payment, her statements to investigators on that topic were vague, as noted in the 400-page Eau Claire Police Department investigation report.
According to the report:
Olson said it was "not made clear" that Klaus could begin receiving his stipend in August but that she remembered the board agreeing that he should receive it at age 53. Klaus turned 53 in July. When asked whether the board intended Klaus' stipend payments to begin at age 53, Olson responded that "could very well be the intent."
The statements of Evans and O'Brien are more direct. They told investigators they recall discussion of allowing Klaus to lower his retirement age from 55 to 53.
However, both Evans and O'Brien had difficulty explaining details confirming that the board intended for Klaus to receive his stipend early.
Evans conceded that the stipend is not mentioned in board minutes of Jan. 8 and Jan. 22, when changes to Klaus' contract were discussed, but maintains the board intended the early stipend payments to Klaus. Likewise, when asked if the board discussed when Klaus' stipend payments were to begin, O'Brien "said he did not recall any specifics," the report states.
White said the lack of clarity regarding Klaus accessing his stipend payments "is troubling," as is the fact that Klaus sought out Olson when she was no longer a board member to sign and backdate a document instead of going before the full board. However, that wasn't enough to overcome board members' differences of opinion that he said precluded his filing criminal charges in the case.
"There was a definite lack of clarity regarding this contract and its intent," White said. "But I still needed more proof about the intent of that board."
Emerson can be reached at 830-5911, 800-236-7077 or julian.emerson@ecpc.com.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
LT article: No Charges by DA 6-26-08
Updated: 6/26/2008 9:02:02 AM
No charges filed in Klaus case
By Julian Emerson
Leader-Telegram staff
Current and former Eau Claire school district officials took part in "suspicious" alterations to former Superintendent Bill Klaus' contract, but questions about what roles those officials played precluded the filing of criminal charges against those officials, District Attorney Rich White said.
Conflicting accounts given by Klaus, former school board President Carol Olson and Klaus' then-executive assistant Patti Iverson to police investigators made filing charges against them "a very difficult proposition," White said Tuesday following his announcement Wednesday that he would not prosecute the case.
Without "clear-cut proof" of which of the three individuals is responsible for the contract alterations that would have allowed Klaus to receive his $225,000 retirement stipend earlier than allowed, filing criminal charges wasn't feasible, White said.
Charging all three also would be problematic, he said, because he lacked proof they were acting as co-conspirators with direct knowledge of what the others were doing.
White questioned the apparently improper behavior of district officials regarding Klaus' contract but said those actions weren't enough to merit charges.
"There was nothing there I felt I could prosecute criminally," White said. "There were a lot of proof problems with this."
At issue is exact circumstances regarding the backdating of the document signed by Olson, making it appear as if it was part of Klaus' contract changes the board had approved on Feb. 5.
"We don't know exactly who did what regarding the backdating, and that's a problem," White said. "They each said the others did it."
In July, without the knowledge of board members, Klaus directed Iverson to type a document allowing him to begin receiving payments Aug. 1. Olson signed and backdated the document despite the fact she had left the board three months earlier.
An April 19 Leader-Telegram story detailing the contract alteration prompted Eau Claire police and school board investigations. The school board investigation is ongoing.
Besides questions surrounding the backdating of the document, board members' disagreements about changes to Klaus' contract also made filing charges a difficult proposition, White said.
Three current board members - Carol Craig, Trish Cummins and Brent Wogahn - said the board changed the age at which Klaus could switch from superintendent to Northstar Middle School principal from 55 to 53 but never discussed beginning retirement stipend payments at age 53.
However, former board members Olson, Michael O'Brien and JoAnne Evans told investigators they believe Klaus was to begin receiving stipend payments early, although they stated discussion of the topic was vague and "not made clear."
Board member Mary Kneer told police she doesn't recall discussion of Klaus receiving his stipend early. She previously told the Leader-Telegram the board hadn't discussed granting early payments to Klaus.
On Wednesday Craig reiterated her stance that the board never discussed paying Klaus early retirement benefits.
"Providing for early payment of Dr. Klaus' stipend was not brought before the full board for consideration, thus, it is not in the (board) minutes," Craig said.
O'Brien conceded the document signed by Olson was a bad idea but denied purposeful wrongdoing on the part of Klaus or board members.
"Certainly, there was an error in judgment in creating and signing that document, but there was never any ill intent on the part of anyone involved," said O'Brien, who didn't seek re-election.
Board division regarding the intent of Klaus' contract muddled the case, and the lack of school board oversight of Klaus' contract "made it very difficult to prosecute this," White said,
White also was troubled by the school board's apparent lack of review of Klaus' contract. Besides the age change issue (55 to 53), the contract change also added the phrase "district retirement" to the contract in reference to when Klaus was eligible for his early retirement payments.
Craig, Cummins and Wogahn said those words mean Klaus would have to retire to receive his stipend, while Olson, Evans and O'Brien said the phrase signified that Klaus should have begun receiving the stipend last August.
"There was a lot of confusion about that term," White said "and that made filing charges difficult as well."
White's decision didn't sit well with some residents; Terry Schwartz of Eau Claire said the actions of Olson, Klaus and Iverson merited charges.
"I can't believe they're getting off after what they did," Schwartz said.
White acknowledged public frustration about the lack of charges filed. But that anger should be directed at school officials and not at his office, White said.
Emerson can be reached at 830-5911, (800) 236-7077 or julian.emerson@ecpc.com.
No charges filed in Klaus case
By Julian Emerson
Leader-Telegram staff
Current and former Eau Claire school district officials took part in "suspicious" alterations to former Superintendent Bill Klaus' contract, but questions about what roles those officials played precluded the filing of criminal charges against those officials, District Attorney Rich White said.
Conflicting accounts given by Klaus, former school board President Carol Olson and Klaus' then-executive assistant Patti Iverson to police investigators made filing charges against them "a very difficult proposition," White said Tuesday following his announcement Wednesday that he would not prosecute the case.
Without "clear-cut proof" of which of the three individuals is responsible for the contract alterations that would have allowed Klaus to receive his $225,000 retirement stipend earlier than allowed, filing criminal charges wasn't feasible, White said.
Charging all three also would be problematic, he said, because he lacked proof they were acting as co-conspirators with direct knowledge of what the others were doing.
White questioned the apparently improper behavior of district officials regarding Klaus' contract but said those actions weren't enough to merit charges.
"There was nothing there I felt I could prosecute criminally," White said. "There were a lot of proof problems with this."
At issue is exact circumstances regarding the backdating of the document signed by Olson, making it appear as if it was part of Klaus' contract changes the board had approved on Feb. 5.
"We don't know exactly who did what regarding the backdating, and that's a problem," White said. "They each said the others did it."
In July, without the knowledge of board members, Klaus directed Iverson to type a document allowing him to begin receiving payments Aug. 1. Olson signed and backdated the document despite the fact she had left the board three months earlier.
An April 19 Leader-Telegram story detailing the contract alteration prompted Eau Claire police and school board investigations. The school board investigation is ongoing.
Besides questions surrounding the backdating of the document, board members' disagreements about changes to Klaus' contract also made filing charges a difficult proposition, White said.
Three current board members - Carol Craig, Trish Cummins and Brent Wogahn - said the board changed the age at which Klaus could switch from superintendent to Northstar Middle School principal from 55 to 53 but never discussed beginning retirement stipend payments at age 53.
However, former board members Olson, Michael O'Brien and JoAnne Evans told investigators they believe Klaus was to begin receiving stipend payments early, although they stated discussion of the topic was vague and "not made clear."
Board member Mary Kneer told police she doesn't recall discussion of Klaus receiving his stipend early. She previously told the Leader-Telegram the board hadn't discussed granting early payments to Klaus.
On Wednesday Craig reiterated her stance that the board never discussed paying Klaus early retirement benefits.
"Providing for early payment of Dr. Klaus' stipend was not brought before the full board for consideration, thus, it is not in the (board) minutes," Craig said.
O'Brien conceded the document signed by Olson was a bad idea but denied purposeful wrongdoing on the part of Klaus or board members.
"Certainly, there was an error in judgment in creating and signing that document, but there was never any ill intent on the part of anyone involved," said O'Brien, who didn't seek re-election.
Board division regarding the intent of Klaus' contract muddled the case, and the lack of school board oversight of Klaus' contract "made it very difficult to prosecute this," White said,
White also was troubled by the school board's apparent lack of review of Klaus' contract. Besides the age change issue (55 to 53), the contract change also added the phrase "district retirement" to the contract in reference to when Klaus was eligible for his early retirement payments.
Craig, Cummins and Wogahn said those words mean Klaus would have to retire to receive his stipend, while Olson, Evans and O'Brien said the phrase signified that Klaus should have begun receiving the stipend last August.
"There was a lot of confusion about that term," White said "and that made filing charges difficult as well."
White's decision didn't sit well with some residents; Terry Schwartz of Eau Claire said the actions of Olson, Klaus and Iverson merited charges.
"I can't believe they're getting off after what they did," Schwartz said.
White acknowledged public frustration about the lack of charges filed. But that anger should be directed at school officials and not at his office, White said.
Emerson can be reached at 830-5911, (800) 236-7077 or julian.emerson@ecpc.com.
LT Editorial 6/25/08 and Letter to the Editor
Updated: 6/25/2008 11:32:03 PM
Justice now in hands of school board
The issue: No criminal charges will be filed as a result of the controversy over former Eau Claire school district Superintendent Bill Klaus' contract.
Our view: Even if they weren't illegal, actions taken in this case were unethical. Now the school board must discipline those responsible.
Eau Claire County District Attorney Rich White's announcement Wednesday that he won't file criminal charges as a result of the dispute over former Eau Claire school district Superintendent Bill Klaus' contract undoubtedly disappointed many people in our community.
Count us among the disappointed. Considering they've already been convicted in the court of public opinion, it would have been gratifying to see those involved in "Backdategate" called before a criminal court too.
Nonetheless, it's hard to fault White for his decision. We agree with him that efforts last summer by Klaus, former school board President Carol Olson, and Patti Iverson, Klaus' secretary, to backdate a provision of Klaus' contract were "plainly suspicious." At Klaus' direction, Iverson prepared - and Olson signed - a document stating Klaus could begin collecting his retirement stipend at age 53 even though he hadn't retired (he became Northstar Middle School principal last summer). Here's the suspicious part: That provision wasn't in the contract approved by the board in February 2007, and Olson signed the memo after she left the board.
However, board members gave investigators conflicting accounts of whether they'd approved that contract provision: three said they had, three said they hadn't, and one said she didn't remember. Unfortunately, minutes of the board's closed sessions are laughably vague and don't clarify the matter, once again highlighting the need for the Legislature to mandate that local governments electronically record such meetings.
White concluded that the inadequacy of the records would make it difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the school board hadn't approved the early payments. To put it another way, even though it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's hard to conclusively say it's a duck unless you've got feathers to run DNA tests on. Lacking such indisputable evidence, White was put in an unenviable position: filing charges that might not stand up in court or not filing charges and riling a community whose attitudes about the scandal range from disgusted to very disgusted.
White chose the latter route. He acknowledged the public's frustration, and pointed out that just because no crime was committed doesn't mean that no one behaved unethically or contrary to the public good. However, as White added, "It is not my place, and it shouldn't be my place, to make those decisions."
Such disciplinary decisions should - and must - be made by the school board and the voters who elect them. And now that criminal charges are off the table, it's even more important for the board to take bold, swift action to discipline - or even fire - those responsible for this major ethical breach. Even if laws weren't broken, the public's trust was - and that might we even worse.
- Tom Giffey, editorial page editor
Updated: 6/25/2008 11:27:02 PM
Letter to the Editor
Fire, recall those involved
If the Eau Claire school board had been smart, it would have had language in employees' contracts spelling out matters of deportment that could lead to firing or discipline, included things such as: violating federal, state or local laws; lying to any school board member (either verbal or in writing); any attempt to deceive the school board; and any policy violation, for starters. Does the school board even have any written policy that is inclusive of all district employees? If not, we should insist on one.
Under his contract, Klaus' remaining salary and retirement stipend total $775,000, which is a lot of money in anyone's book. All I see Klaus doing is getting paid for doing nothing and laughing all the way to the bank. He violated the public trust by an attempted theft by fraud and it appears that the school board wants to just pay him off. He should be summarily fired. If our illustrious school board decides to hurry up and pay off Klaus to leave the district without firing him, we should have an immediate recall election of every school board member.
I strongly suspect that the reason there is not a comprehensive policy that governs deportment of school district employees is because many have skeletons in their own closets.
I think it's time to fire every employee who was involved in this fraud and cover-up and replace them with people who have guts enough to do their jobs. We are in a serious financial mess and we taxpayers must regain control of our school board and school administration now!
ROLAND LARSON
Eau Claire
Justice now in hands of school board
The issue: No criminal charges will be filed as a result of the controversy over former Eau Claire school district Superintendent Bill Klaus' contract.
Our view: Even if they weren't illegal, actions taken in this case were unethical. Now the school board must discipline those responsible.
Eau Claire County District Attorney Rich White's announcement Wednesday that he won't file criminal charges as a result of the dispute over former Eau Claire school district Superintendent Bill Klaus' contract undoubtedly disappointed many people in our community.
Count us among the disappointed. Considering they've already been convicted in the court of public opinion, it would have been gratifying to see those involved in "Backdategate" called before a criminal court too.
Nonetheless, it's hard to fault White for his decision. We agree with him that efforts last summer by Klaus, former school board President Carol Olson, and Patti Iverson, Klaus' secretary, to backdate a provision of Klaus' contract were "plainly suspicious." At Klaus' direction, Iverson prepared - and Olson signed - a document stating Klaus could begin collecting his retirement stipend at age 53 even though he hadn't retired (he became Northstar Middle School principal last summer). Here's the suspicious part: That provision wasn't in the contract approved by the board in February 2007, and Olson signed the memo after she left the board.
However, board members gave investigators conflicting accounts of whether they'd approved that contract provision: three said they had, three said they hadn't, and one said she didn't remember. Unfortunately, minutes of the board's closed sessions are laughably vague and don't clarify the matter, once again highlighting the need for the Legislature to mandate that local governments electronically record such meetings.
White concluded that the inadequacy of the records would make it difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the school board hadn't approved the early payments. To put it another way, even though it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's hard to conclusively say it's a duck unless you've got feathers to run DNA tests on. Lacking such indisputable evidence, White was put in an unenviable position: filing charges that might not stand up in court or not filing charges and riling a community whose attitudes about the scandal range from disgusted to very disgusted.
White chose the latter route. He acknowledged the public's frustration, and pointed out that just because no crime was committed doesn't mean that no one behaved unethically or contrary to the public good. However, as White added, "It is not my place, and it shouldn't be my place, to make those decisions."
Such disciplinary decisions should - and must - be made by the school board and the voters who elect them. And now that criminal charges are off the table, it's even more important for the board to take bold, swift action to discipline - or even fire - those responsible for this major ethical breach. Even if laws weren't broken, the public's trust was - and that might we even worse.
- Tom Giffey, editorial page editor
Updated: 6/25/2008 11:27:02 PM
Letter to the Editor
Fire, recall those involved
If the Eau Claire school board had been smart, it would have had language in employees' contracts spelling out matters of deportment that could lead to firing or discipline, included things such as: violating federal, state or local laws; lying to any school board member (either verbal or in writing); any attempt to deceive the school board; and any policy violation, for starters. Does the school board even have any written policy that is inclusive of all district employees? If not, we should insist on one.
Under his contract, Klaus' remaining salary and retirement stipend total $775,000, which is a lot of money in anyone's book. All I see Klaus doing is getting paid for doing nothing and laughing all the way to the bank. He violated the public trust by an attempted theft by fraud and it appears that the school board wants to just pay him off. He should be summarily fired. If our illustrious school board decides to hurry up and pay off Klaus to leave the district without firing him, we should have an immediate recall election of every school board member.
I strongly suspect that the reason there is not a comprehensive policy that governs deportment of school district employees is because many have skeletons in their own closets.
I think it's time to fire every employee who was involved in this fraud and cover-up and replace them with people who have guts enough to do their jobs. We are in a serious financial mess and we taxpayers must regain control of our school board and school administration now!
ROLAND LARSON
Eau Claire
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
No Charges from the DA
No surprise that the "evidence" examined by the Police did not lead to formal criminal charges against Olson, Klaus or Iverson but that should not preclude them being FIRED by the ECASD immediately. There is a link to the DA's memo at the bottom of this post.
Be sure and read the BOE member comments and their recollections. Comm. Kneer's comments are priceless and can be read at the bottom of page 4 of the document. If she admits that she loses track of the discussions then why is she on the negotiating team and the CESA representative or even on the BOE at all???
Maria
Updated: 6/25/2008 12:27:02 P
Conflicting stories lead to no charges in Klaus case
By Julian Emerson
Leader-Telegram staff
Eau Claire County District Attorney Rich White has decided against charging current and former Eau Claire school district officials with wrongdoing in helping former school Superintendent Bill Klaus try to receive his $225,000 retirement stipend earlier than called for in his contract.
White said disagreement among the seven board members who approved changes to Klaus' contract on Feb. 5, 2007 made filing criminal charges against Klaus, former school board President Carol Olson and others difficult. He noted that "legitimate questions exist" about the behavior of district officials regarding the contract change but said he can't address those legally.
"My bottom-line conclusion ... is that I cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt the (Klaus) engaged in criminal conduct," Write wrote in his decision, which he released shortly before noon today.
Eau Claire police and the Eau Claire school board decided to investigate the matter after an April 19 Leader-Telegram story detailing how Olson, at Klaus' direction, signed and backdated a document intended to allow Klaus to receive his $225,000 retirement stipend earlier than allowed by his contract.
Olson was no longer a board member when she signed the document. Klaus didn't receive that money after the school board subsequently disallowed that action.
The police department wrapped up its investigation earlier this month, but the school board inquiry into the situation continues. Sources familiar with the matter say the board is considering a buyout of at least a portion of Klaus' contract, which runs through 2012.
Klaus has been on administrative leave with pay on April 30.
Here is the link to the 9 page document from the DA:
http://www.leadertelegram.com/NewsLinks/PDFs/Klaus-DAMemo.pdf
Be sure and read the BOE member comments and their recollections. Comm. Kneer's comments are priceless and can be read at the bottom of page 4 of the document. If she admits that she loses track of the discussions then why is she on the negotiating team and the CESA representative or even on the BOE at all???
Maria
Updated: 6/25/2008 12:27:02 P
Conflicting stories lead to no charges in Klaus case
By Julian Emerson
Leader-Telegram staff
Eau Claire County District Attorney Rich White has decided against charging current and former Eau Claire school district officials with wrongdoing in helping former school Superintendent Bill Klaus try to receive his $225,000 retirement stipend earlier than called for in his contract.
White said disagreement among the seven board members who approved changes to Klaus' contract on Feb. 5, 2007 made filing criminal charges against Klaus, former school board President Carol Olson and others difficult. He noted that "legitimate questions exist" about the behavior of district officials regarding the contract change but said he can't address those legally.
"My bottom-line conclusion ... is that I cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt the (Klaus) engaged in criminal conduct," Write wrote in his decision, which he released shortly before noon today.
Eau Claire police and the Eau Claire school board decided to investigate the matter after an April 19 Leader-Telegram story detailing how Olson, at Klaus' direction, signed and backdated a document intended to allow Klaus to receive his $225,000 retirement stipend earlier than allowed by his contract.
Olson was no longer a board member when she signed the document. Klaus didn't receive that money after the school board subsequently disallowed that action.
The police department wrapped up its investigation earlier this month, but the school board inquiry into the situation continues. Sources familiar with the matter say the board is considering a buyout of at least a portion of Klaus' contract, which runs through 2012.
Klaus has been on administrative leave with pay on April 30.
Here is the link to the 9 page document from the DA:
http://www.leadertelegram.com/NewsLinks/PDFs/Klaus-DAMemo.pdf
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Pay Klaus Even More Money to Go Away?
This possibility had occurred to me and it makes me SICK TO MY STOMACH. This is just one more disaster that can be hung on the decade of failed leadership that was headed up by Bill Klaus, Gregg Butler, Carol Olson, Mike O'Brien, JoAnne Evans, Bob Janke, Mary Kneer, and more recently even Brent Wogahn who all did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING while the district headed into the pit of no Strategic Planning, no community involvement, no accountability, and just pretending they were a cozy private club at the top of the social heap in EC. The current BOE would be doing more long term damage by paying the jerk even more money to go away.
How much lower can we go before we hit bottom?
Maria
Updated: 6/19/2008 8:42:02 AM
The Eau Claire school district had paid $14,840 as of the end of April for legal costs associated with an investigation into contract changes for Bill Klaus, the Northstar Middle School principal and former superintendent.
Buyout of former superintendent's contract possible
By Julian Emerson
Leader-Telegram staff
While firing former Eau Claire school district Superintendent Bill Klaus remains a distinct possibility, school board members haven't ruled out a negotiated agreement in which Klaus could leave his job as Northstar Middle School principal.
Klaus' contract guarantees him payment from the district through 2012, but that could be altered as part of any deal the board and Klaus might agree upon, school district sources close to the investigation into alterations to Klaus' contract said.
Klaus' contract calls for his receiving compensation for 2007-09 and 2009-11. As part of the deal the board approved on Feb. 5, 2007, an additional year was added to the contract, granting him payment through 2012.
Total compensation for Klaus' four remaining contract years totals about $550,000, not including Klaus' $225,000 stipend payment.
Specific terms of a possible separation deal have not been discussed by the board, but nothing has been officially negotiated between district officials and Klaus, sources said.
"This isn't something we can talk about in detail now because we're not willing to jeopardize the investigation," school board President Carol Craig said. "But we are working very diligently."
Negotiations to discipline or fire public-sector employees like Klaus often are time consuming and fraught with legal concerns, in large part because those employees have signed contracts guaranteeing certain conditions as part of their employment.
Terms of possible negotiations with Klaus remain uncertain, but severance payments or contract buy-outs are relatively common in cases of public employees who are dismissed.
Buying out employees who resign or have been fired has precedent in the Eau Claire school district. For instance, the district paid former North High School Principal Terry Downen $83,000 when he resigned eight years ago after attempting to exempt students from a state standardized test without permission to boost test scores, as well as concerns about his disobeying the school's truancy policy. Other district employees have been allowed to resign with full benefits rather than be fired.
"When you look at the cost of defending a lawsuit, you have to ask 'why not just settle this now and put it behind us?'" said one board member who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the Klaus contract investigation.
Another district official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, called fears of continued negative publicity surrounding the ongoing investigation "a huge concern."
Klaus' contract change became an issue after an April 19 Leader-Telegram story detailing how former school board President Carol Olson, at Klaus' request, signed and backdated a memo authorizing that Klaus begin receiving his stipend earlier than his contract allowed. Olson signed the memo last summer, at least two months after having vacated her board position.
Olson and Klaus admit to creating and backdating the document but contend the board previously had approved granting the early stipend payment. However, other board members said they never even discussed the issue. Klaus' contract did not call for him to begin receiving stipend payments until he retired. District officials said he didn't receive stipend payments, and the school board voted Oct. 22 to deny them.
The board and Eau Claire Police Department launched separate investigations in the days after revelations of the contract alteration surfaced, and on Monday the board met for the ninth time behind closed doors to discuss the issue.
That same day police officials announced they had completed their investigation into the matter and forwarded their work to Eau Claire County District Attorney Rich White, who said he expects to decide whether to file criminal charges related to the case sometime next week.
School board members have said they want to give information to the public about the matter, but they must balance that with concerns about imperiling their investigation.
Slowing the process is the fact that district administrators who normally would be assisting with the inquiry are subjects of the investigation.
Klaus isn't the only district employee facing possible board reprimand, district officials close to the investigation said. Interim Superintendent Jim Leary, Deputy Superintendent Gregg Butler and Personnel Director Jim Kling could be disciplined - or fired - for their roles in failing to notify board members and others about the contract change once the issue surfaced last summer, sources say.
Instead, board members say those administrators kept much of that information secret even as the board questioned it in the weeks after the Oct. 22 meeting.
How much those administrators knew about the issue remains uncertain, but they have acknowledged having been involved in discussions with Klaus about it last summer and fall - before board members learned about it.
Leary's one-year interim superintendent tenure ends June 30, likely before the board would issue any possible disciplinary action against him.
Likewise, Butler is slated to leave the district July 3 after he recently announced he won't reapply for his position despite having expressed previous interest in continuing that job.
Butler retired as deputy superintendent at the end of last school year and was immediately rehired to continue in that position for the past school year on an interim basis after being denied the interim superintendent job.
Kling is expected to work at least one more year for the district before retiring.
Board members also said former board President Michael O'Brien apparently had knowledge of the contract change prior to Oct. 22, as evidenced by the fact that he requested a legal opinion on the matter from the Davis and Kuelthau firm prior to that meeting.
Several board members said O'Brien advised them against commenting on the topic to the Leader-Telegram. O'Brien said he and other school board members could not discuss the issue because discussion of it had occurred in closed session. He and other administrators also declined to release records related to Klaus' contract change to the Leader-Telegram.
Attorney Kirk Strang with the Davis and Kuelthau law firm subsequently determined those records should be released to the newspaper.
Emerson can be reached at 830-5911, 800-236-7077 or julian.emerson@ecpc.com.
How much lower can we go before we hit bottom?
Maria
Updated: 6/19/2008 8:42:02 AM
The Eau Claire school district had paid $14,840 as of the end of April for legal costs associated with an investigation into contract changes for Bill Klaus, the Northstar Middle School principal and former superintendent.
Buyout of former superintendent's contract possible
By Julian Emerson
Leader-Telegram staff
While firing former Eau Claire school district Superintendent Bill Klaus remains a distinct possibility, school board members haven't ruled out a negotiated agreement in which Klaus could leave his job as Northstar Middle School principal.
Klaus' contract guarantees him payment from the district through 2012, but that could be altered as part of any deal the board and Klaus might agree upon, school district sources close to the investigation into alterations to Klaus' contract said.
Klaus' contract calls for his receiving compensation for 2007-09 and 2009-11. As part of the deal the board approved on Feb. 5, 2007, an additional year was added to the contract, granting him payment through 2012.
Total compensation for Klaus' four remaining contract years totals about $550,000, not including Klaus' $225,000 stipend payment.
Specific terms of a possible separation deal have not been discussed by the board, but nothing has been officially negotiated between district officials and Klaus, sources said.
"This isn't something we can talk about in detail now because we're not willing to jeopardize the investigation," school board President Carol Craig said. "But we are working very diligently."
Negotiations to discipline or fire public-sector employees like Klaus often are time consuming and fraught with legal concerns, in large part because those employees have signed contracts guaranteeing certain conditions as part of their employment.
Terms of possible negotiations with Klaus remain uncertain, but severance payments or contract buy-outs are relatively common in cases of public employees who are dismissed.
Buying out employees who resign or have been fired has precedent in the Eau Claire school district. For instance, the district paid former North High School Principal Terry Downen $83,000 when he resigned eight years ago after attempting to exempt students from a state standardized test without permission to boost test scores, as well as concerns about his disobeying the school's truancy policy. Other district employees have been allowed to resign with full benefits rather than be fired.
"When you look at the cost of defending a lawsuit, you have to ask 'why not just settle this now and put it behind us?'" said one board member who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the Klaus contract investigation.
Another district official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, called fears of continued negative publicity surrounding the ongoing investigation "a huge concern."
Klaus' contract change became an issue after an April 19 Leader-Telegram story detailing how former school board President Carol Olson, at Klaus' request, signed and backdated a memo authorizing that Klaus begin receiving his stipend earlier than his contract allowed. Olson signed the memo last summer, at least two months after having vacated her board position.
Olson and Klaus admit to creating and backdating the document but contend the board previously had approved granting the early stipend payment. However, other board members said they never even discussed the issue. Klaus' contract did not call for him to begin receiving stipend payments until he retired. District officials said he didn't receive stipend payments, and the school board voted Oct. 22 to deny them.
The board and Eau Claire Police Department launched separate investigations in the days after revelations of the contract alteration surfaced, and on Monday the board met for the ninth time behind closed doors to discuss the issue.
That same day police officials announced they had completed their investigation into the matter and forwarded their work to Eau Claire County District Attorney Rich White, who said he expects to decide whether to file criminal charges related to the case sometime next week.
School board members have said they want to give information to the public about the matter, but they must balance that with concerns about imperiling their investigation.
Slowing the process is the fact that district administrators who normally would be assisting with the inquiry are subjects of the investigation.
Klaus isn't the only district employee facing possible board reprimand, district officials close to the investigation said. Interim Superintendent Jim Leary, Deputy Superintendent Gregg Butler and Personnel Director Jim Kling could be disciplined - or fired - for their roles in failing to notify board members and others about the contract change once the issue surfaced last summer, sources say.
Instead, board members say those administrators kept much of that information secret even as the board questioned it in the weeks after the Oct. 22 meeting.
How much those administrators knew about the issue remains uncertain, but they have acknowledged having been involved in discussions with Klaus about it last summer and fall - before board members learned about it.
Leary's one-year interim superintendent tenure ends June 30, likely before the board would issue any possible disciplinary action against him.
Likewise, Butler is slated to leave the district July 3 after he recently announced he won't reapply for his position despite having expressed previous interest in continuing that job.
Butler retired as deputy superintendent at the end of last school year and was immediately rehired to continue in that position for the past school year on an interim basis after being denied the interim superintendent job.
Kling is expected to work at least one more year for the district before retiring.
Board members also said former board President Michael O'Brien apparently had knowledge of the contract change prior to Oct. 22, as evidenced by the fact that he requested a legal opinion on the matter from the Davis and Kuelthau firm prior to that meeting.
Several board members said O'Brien advised them against commenting on the topic to the Leader-Telegram. O'Brien said he and other school board members could not discuss the issue because discussion of it had occurred in closed session. He and other administrators also declined to release records related to Klaus' contract change to the Leader-Telegram.
Attorney Kirk Strang with the Davis and Kuelthau law firm subsequently determined those records should be released to the newspaper.
Emerson can be reached at 830-5911, 800-236-7077 or julian.emerson@ecpc.com.
Editorial comments about lowering graduation credit requirements
See previous posted article about this proposal to lower the graduation requirements for a very few students in special cases. Maria
Updated: 6/18/2008 6:02:01 PM
Lower standard for graduation should be rare
The issue: An Eau Claire school district proposal to allow some students to graduate from high school with 16 credits instead of 22.
Our view: This option should be used sparingly to protect the integrity of high school diplomas.
Lower standard for graduation should be rare
Three words are crucial to a proposal that would allow some Eau Claire public high school students to graduate with 16 credits rather than the 22 now needed to earn a diploma: "On rare occasions."
School district administrators have proposed the change to the school board to help a very small number of students who fall behind in their first year or two of high school. They may fall behind because of a serious illness, home-schooling or even because they were homeless. School officials say the current system - which requires such students to take seven classes during the school day and spend extra time in off-campus programs to catch up and meet the 22-credit requirement - is insurmountable for some.
"This expectation is overwhelming to most students, and therefore, they typically do not remain engaged in a high school program," Memorial High School Principal Tim Leibham told the school board Monday night. The board ultimately will decide whether to approve the 16-credit option.
The board must weigh the desire to help students who have fallen behind through no fault of their own against the importance of protecting what a diploma from North or Memorial high schools represents. That's why if this proposal is approved it should be used only on rare occasions, and not to allow unmotivated or chronically truant students to use the lower standard to bail themselves out.
There are safeguards in the program to prevent this, and it's important they are enforced. Those seeking an exemption would have to pass all of their courses the semester before being admitted to the 16-credit track, and they would have to continue passing all courses once enrolled. They also would have to demonstrate that "unique personal circumstances or situations" led to their credit deficiency. School officials must be strict in how they interpret "unique."
District administrative approval would be required after discussions with the student, his or her parents and high school administrators. Those accepted could not use the lower requirement to graduate early, and they also wouldn't be eligible for scholarships based distinctly on class rank or grade-point average. They and their parents would sign memos acknowledging that the 16-credit option may prevent admission into some colleges even though the 16 credits meet state graduation requirements.
Fred Weissenburger, the school district's director of student services, summed up the main concern well: "We want to be careful that this doesn't become something that's aspirational, something that students are striving for, because that would be really lowering the bar, and we're not proposing to do that."
This program is worth a try, but the school board and administrators need to monitor it closely to ensure it is used sparingly in truly unique circumstances so it doesn't cheapen the 22-credit diploma and the effort put forth by those who achieve it.
- Don Huebscher, editor
Updated: 6/18/2008 6:02:01 PM
Lower standard for graduation should be rare
The issue: An Eau Claire school district proposal to allow some students to graduate from high school with 16 credits instead of 22.
Our view: This option should be used sparingly to protect the integrity of high school diplomas.
Lower standard for graduation should be rare
Three words are crucial to a proposal that would allow some Eau Claire public high school students to graduate with 16 credits rather than the 22 now needed to earn a diploma: "On rare occasions."
School district administrators have proposed the change to the school board to help a very small number of students who fall behind in their first year or two of high school. They may fall behind because of a serious illness, home-schooling or even because they were homeless. School officials say the current system - which requires such students to take seven classes during the school day and spend extra time in off-campus programs to catch up and meet the 22-credit requirement - is insurmountable for some.
"This expectation is overwhelming to most students, and therefore, they typically do not remain engaged in a high school program," Memorial High School Principal Tim Leibham told the school board Monday night. The board ultimately will decide whether to approve the 16-credit option.
The board must weigh the desire to help students who have fallen behind through no fault of their own against the importance of protecting what a diploma from North or Memorial high schools represents. That's why if this proposal is approved it should be used only on rare occasions, and not to allow unmotivated or chronically truant students to use the lower standard to bail themselves out.
There are safeguards in the program to prevent this, and it's important they are enforced. Those seeking an exemption would have to pass all of their courses the semester before being admitted to the 16-credit track, and they would have to continue passing all courses once enrolled. They also would have to demonstrate that "unique personal circumstances or situations" led to their credit deficiency. School officials must be strict in how they interpret "unique."
District administrative approval would be required after discussions with the student, his or her parents and high school administrators. Those accepted could not use the lower requirement to graduate early, and they also wouldn't be eligible for scholarships based distinctly on class rank or grade-point average. They and their parents would sign memos acknowledging that the 16-credit option may prevent admission into some colleges even though the 16 credits meet state graduation requirements.
Fred Weissenburger, the school district's director of student services, summed up the main concern well: "We want to be careful that this doesn't become something that's aspirational, something that students are striving for, because that would be really lowering the bar, and we're not proposing to do that."
This program is worth a try, but the school board and administrators need to monitor it closely to ensure it is used sparingly in truly unique circumstances so it doesn't cheapen the 22-credit diploma and the effort put forth by those who achieve it.
- Don Huebscher, editor
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
From WAYY website 6-17-08
Apparently ECASD BOE President, Dr. Carol Craig, called in to WAYY during a discussion of the School District woes and spoke with the radio host for about 20 minutes about the current situation with the investigation. I did not hear the discussion, but it was re-broadcast on Wednesday morning because, in the judgement of the radio station it was information worth repeating. Here is a short summary on their website.
Sorry for the caps, I just cut and pasted... Maria
SCHOOL BOARD PREZ. SAYS "BACKDATEGATE" RESOLUTION NEAR
DAN LEA Reporting
EAU CLAIRE'S SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT SAYS THERE'S A GOOD REASON THE BOARD IS NOT RELEASING MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT A FORMER SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT CONTROVERSY. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS SAY IT APPEARS A MEMO WAS BACKDATED BY FORMER SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT CAROL OLSON, THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FORMER SUPERINTENDENT BILL KLAUS TO COLLECT A RETIREMENT STIPEND BEFORE RETIRING. THE BOARD'S INVESTIGATION HAS CONTINUED FOR 9 CLOSED-DOOR SESSIONS, AND CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT CAROL CRAIG SAYS SHE'S AS FRUSTRATED AS THE PUBLIC IS WITH HOW LITTLE INFORMATION THEY CAN RELEASE. CRAIG SAYS THE BOARD IS NOT HIDING ANYTHING, AND SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO THE DAY THE BOARD CAN OPENLY DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH THE PUBLIC, BUT FOR NOW, THEY'RE STILL CHECKING THE FACTS. CRAIG SAID THE DISTRICT'S LEGAL COUNSEL HAS ADVISED THAT RELEASING DETAILS NOW WOULD JEOPARDIZE THEIR INVESTIGATION.
Sorry for the caps, I just cut and pasted... Maria
SCHOOL BOARD PREZ. SAYS "BACKDATEGATE" RESOLUTION NEAR
DAN LEA Reporting
EAU CLAIRE'S SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT SAYS THERE'S A GOOD REASON THE BOARD IS NOT RELEASING MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT A FORMER SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT CONTROVERSY. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS SAY IT APPEARS A MEMO WAS BACKDATED BY FORMER SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT CAROL OLSON, THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FORMER SUPERINTENDENT BILL KLAUS TO COLLECT A RETIREMENT STIPEND BEFORE RETIRING. THE BOARD'S INVESTIGATION HAS CONTINUED FOR 9 CLOSED-DOOR SESSIONS, AND CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT CAROL CRAIG SAYS SHE'S AS FRUSTRATED AS THE PUBLIC IS WITH HOW LITTLE INFORMATION THEY CAN RELEASE. CRAIG SAYS THE BOARD IS NOT HIDING ANYTHING, AND SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO THE DAY THE BOARD CAN OPENLY DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH THE PUBLIC, BUT FOR NOW, THEY'RE STILL CHECKING THE FACTS. CRAIG SAID THE DISTRICT'S LEGAL COUNSEL HAS ADVISED THAT RELEASING DETAILS NOW WOULD JEOPARDIZE THEIR INVESTIGATION.
ANOTHER Interim Administrator Position to Replace the Interim Deputy Gregg
Interim Exec Director for Admin Services AST-114
This is a Full Time Emergency position.
Location: Central Office
Job Requirements: Required Qualifications: Possession of or eligibility for a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction district administrator's license. Desired Qualifications: Doctor's Degree in Education or equivalent credit beyond the Master's Degree; five years of teaching experience; five years of administrative experience.
Additional info: This position is open to currently employed staff members. The official title of this position is: Interim Executive Director for Administrative Services/Interim Chief Academic Officer.
This position is for the 2008-09 school year. See job description link for further details. Click here for the Job Description
Clicking on this link will open a new window. To return to this posting, just close that window
Application Deadline: Until Filled.
Date Posted: 6/3/2008
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Page 1 of 2
TITLE: Interim Executive Director for Administrative Services/Interim Chief Academic Officer
REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Schools
DEPARTMENT: Central Office CLASSIFICATION: Administration
I. Accountability Objectives:
The Interim Executive Director for Administrative Services/Interim Chief Academic Officer, under the guidance of the Superintendent, is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day
supervision of all elementary, middle, high, and charter schools. Operations include
enrollment management, handling of customer concerns related to specific school issues, and the direction and supervision of principals.
II. Position Characteristics:
Salary: Set annually by Board of Education Length of Contract: 52 Weeks
III. Position Relationships: Reports to: Superintendent of Schools
Coordinates with: Superintendent of Schools, Executive Team, Principals, Central Office Staff and Board of Education
Type of Coordination: General
Supervises: Principals, Executive Assistant to the Interim Executive Director for Administrative Services/Interim Chief Academic Officer
IV. Position Qualifications:
A. Required Qualifications: Possession of or eligibility for a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction district administrator's license.
B. Desired Qualifications: Doctor's Degree in Education or equivalent credit beyond the Master's Degree; five years
of teaching experience; five years of administrative experience.
C. Special Requirements: Ability to organize; thorough knowledge of administration of public education; ability
to provide leadership to administrators and teachers; ability to maintain excellent
interpersonal relationships with superiors, peers, and subordinates; ability to supervise the work of others and to make suggestions for improvement; skill in oral and written communication.
V. Position Responsibilities:
A. Advises Superintendent of Schools on matters pertaining to school operations.
B. Supervises and coordinates the work of principals. Responds to school issues with parents and principals.
C. Manages all phases of enrollment (class size, open enrollment, student transfers, and boundary decisions).
D. Serves as the lead administrator for the daily internal operations of the district.
E. Assists the Superintendent of Schools in interpreting the school district's programs and policies to the Board of Education, school staff, and the community at large.
F. Coordinates with the Executive Director of Business Services/Chief Financial Officer and the Executive Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations/HR Officer in the preparation of the annual district budget and ensures that the budgetary process allows for public information/input on district budgetary decisions.
G. Assists the Executive Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations/HR Officer in recruitment and procurement of professional staff.
H. Assists the Superintendent of Schools in developing plans for new school construction, remodeling of school facilities, and long-range building plans.
I. Attends Board of Education meetings and makes reports and makes recommendations
on programs as directed by the Superintendent of Schools.
J. Prepares state and/or local reports as directed by the Superintendent of Schools.
K. Maintains contact and consults with state, regional, and local agencies that have implications for the district.
L. Collaborates with building principals and central office administrative staff to identify professional meetings, conferences, institutes, etc. that keeps professional staff abreast of current trends and practices.
M. Assumes other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools, including serving as the lead administrator in the absence of the Superintendent.
Eau Claire Area School District
500 Main Street, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701
(715) 852-3000 Fax (715) 852-3004
New:
12/11/1998 – Previously was Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum
and Instruction
06/2/2008 – Previously was Deputy Superintendent
Revised: 04/2001, 07/2006, 03/2007, 06/3/2008
Location: R:\Position Descriptions\Administrators\Interim Executive
Director for Administrative Services Interim Chief Academic
Officer.doc
This is a Full Time Emergency position.
Location: Central Office
Job Requirements: Required Qualifications: Possession of or eligibility for a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction district administrator's license. Desired Qualifications: Doctor's Degree in Education or equivalent credit beyond the Master's Degree; five years of teaching experience; five years of administrative experience.
Additional info: This position is open to currently employed staff members. The official title of this position is: Interim Executive Director for Administrative Services/Interim Chief Academic Officer.
This position is for the 2008-09 school year. See job description link for further details. Click here for the Job Description
Clicking on this link will open a new window. To return to this posting, just close that window
Application Deadline: Until Filled.
Date Posted: 6/3/2008
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Page 1 of 2
TITLE: Interim Executive Director for Administrative Services/Interim Chief Academic Officer
REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Schools
DEPARTMENT: Central Office CLASSIFICATION: Administration
I. Accountability Objectives:
The Interim Executive Director for Administrative Services/Interim Chief Academic Officer, under the guidance of the Superintendent, is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day
supervision of all elementary, middle, high, and charter schools. Operations include
enrollment management, handling of customer concerns related to specific school issues, and the direction and supervision of principals.
II. Position Characteristics:
Salary: Set annually by Board of Education Length of Contract: 52 Weeks
III. Position Relationships: Reports to: Superintendent of Schools
Coordinates with: Superintendent of Schools, Executive Team, Principals, Central Office Staff and Board of Education
Type of Coordination: General
Supervises: Principals, Executive Assistant to the Interim Executive Director for Administrative Services/Interim Chief Academic Officer
IV. Position Qualifications:
A. Required Qualifications: Possession of or eligibility for a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction district administrator's license.
B. Desired Qualifications: Doctor's Degree in Education or equivalent credit beyond the Master's Degree; five years
of teaching experience; five years of administrative experience.
C. Special Requirements: Ability to organize; thorough knowledge of administration of public education; ability
to provide leadership to administrators and teachers; ability to maintain excellent
interpersonal relationships with superiors, peers, and subordinates; ability to supervise the work of others and to make suggestions for improvement; skill in oral and written communication.
V. Position Responsibilities:
A. Advises Superintendent of Schools on matters pertaining to school operations.
B. Supervises and coordinates the work of principals. Responds to school issues with parents and principals.
C. Manages all phases of enrollment (class size, open enrollment, student transfers, and boundary decisions).
D. Serves as the lead administrator for the daily internal operations of the district.
E. Assists the Superintendent of Schools in interpreting the school district's programs and policies to the Board of Education, school staff, and the community at large.
F. Coordinates with the Executive Director of Business Services/Chief Financial Officer and the Executive Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations/HR Officer in the preparation of the annual district budget and ensures that the budgetary process allows for public information/input on district budgetary decisions.
G. Assists the Executive Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations/HR Officer in recruitment and procurement of professional staff.
H. Assists the Superintendent of Schools in developing plans for new school construction, remodeling of school facilities, and long-range building plans.
I. Attends Board of Education meetings and makes reports and makes recommendations
on programs as directed by the Superintendent of Schools.
J. Prepares state and/or local reports as directed by the Superintendent of Schools.
K. Maintains contact and consults with state, regional, and local agencies that have implications for the district.
L. Collaborates with building principals and central office administrative staff to identify professional meetings, conferences, institutes, etc. that keeps professional staff abreast of current trends and practices.
M. Assumes other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools, including serving as the lead administrator in the absence of the Superintendent.
Eau Claire Area School District
500 Main Street, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701
(715) 852-3000 Fax (715) 852-3004
New:
12/11/1998 – Previously was Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum
and Instruction
06/2/2008 – Previously was Deputy Superintendent
Revised: 04/2001, 07/2006, 03/2007, 06/3/2008
Location: R:\Position Descriptions\Administrators\Interim Executive
Director for Administrative Services Interim Chief Academic
Officer.doc
High School Graduation Lower Credit Proposal
I thought this was a very interesting proposal to help a very few number of students. Nonetheless, it could help a handful of young people take the right turn at a time when they need it.
Maria
Updated: 6/16/2008 11:32:01 PM
Graduation requirements could drop
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff
The minimum number of credits required for qualified Eau Claire high school students to graduate could drop from 22 to 16 if the school board adopts an administrative proposal.
"Ideally, we'd like every single one of our students to graduate with a 22-credit diploma and go onto whatever sort of post-secondary option they're looking at, but realistically, we know that's not (always possible)," Fred Weissenburger, the district's executive director of student services, told the Eau Claire school board Monday, noting the reduced-credit graduation requirements would help keep students in school.
On rare occasions, students experience academic difficulty during their freshman or sophomore year, which results in credit deficiency, Memorial High School Principal Tim Leibham said. Under the current system, these students are required to take seven classes during the regular school day and then spend additional time in off-campus programs to meet the 22-credit graduation requirement.
"This expectation is overwhelming to most students, and therefore, they typically do not remain engaged in a high school program," he said.
Because of that, he and others are proposing the reduced credit graduation option.
"Instead of requiring these students to spend more time outside of the school day earning credits, we reduce the number of credits needed to graduate, but require more rigorous courses," according to the proposal.
To be eligible for the reduced-credit graduation requirement option, a student would be credit deficient by one year or more, approximately five credits, and must have passed all courses the semester prior to admittance to the program, continue to pass all courses once enrolled, take all required courses at the local high school or an administratively approved program and earn a minimum of 16 credits.
"This is something that is catching on," Leibham said of the reduced-credit proposal, noting it meets state Department of Public Instruction requirements.
Those 16 credits must include the 13 1/2 credits of state-required courses - four credits of English, three credits of social studies, 2 1/2 credits of science, two credits of math, 1 1/2 credits of science and one-half credit of health - and 2 1/2 credits of electives.
Students earning a 22-credit diploma also must earn the 13 1/2 state-required course credits and 8 1/2 credits of electives.
On the downside, an official high school transcript with fewer than 22 credits might prevent direct admission into some post-secondary institutions, Leibham said.
If the board adopts the proposal at a future meeting, "We want to be careful that this doesn't become something that's aspirational, something that (students) are striving for because that would be really lowering the bar, and we're not proposing to do that," Weissenburger said.
In addition, students wouldn't be able to use this option to graduate early, Leibham said.
This proposal "certainly allows (specific students) to get back into the ball game," board member Brent Wogahn said. "I think it's an excellent idea."
O'Brien can be reached at 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
Maria
Updated: 6/16/2008 11:32:01 PM
Graduation requirements could drop
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff
The minimum number of credits required for qualified Eau Claire high school students to graduate could drop from 22 to 16 if the school board adopts an administrative proposal.
"Ideally, we'd like every single one of our students to graduate with a 22-credit diploma and go onto whatever sort of post-secondary option they're looking at, but realistically, we know that's not (always possible)," Fred Weissenburger, the district's executive director of student services, told the Eau Claire school board Monday, noting the reduced-credit graduation requirements would help keep students in school.
On rare occasions, students experience academic difficulty during their freshman or sophomore year, which results in credit deficiency, Memorial High School Principal Tim Leibham said. Under the current system, these students are required to take seven classes during the regular school day and then spend additional time in off-campus programs to meet the 22-credit graduation requirement.
"This expectation is overwhelming to most students, and therefore, they typically do not remain engaged in a high school program," he said.
Because of that, he and others are proposing the reduced credit graduation option.
"Instead of requiring these students to spend more time outside of the school day earning credits, we reduce the number of credits needed to graduate, but require more rigorous courses," according to the proposal.
To be eligible for the reduced-credit graduation requirement option, a student would be credit deficient by one year or more, approximately five credits, and must have passed all courses the semester prior to admittance to the program, continue to pass all courses once enrolled, take all required courses at the local high school or an administratively approved program and earn a minimum of 16 credits.
"This is something that is catching on," Leibham said of the reduced-credit proposal, noting it meets state Department of Public Instruction requirements.
Those 16 credits must include the 13 1/2 credits of state-required courses - four credits of English, three credits of social studies, 2 1/2 credits of science, two credits of math, 1 1/2 credits of science and one-half credit of health - and 2 1/2 credits of electives.
Students earning a 22-credit diploma also must earn the 13 1/2 state-required course credits and 8 1/2 credits of electives.
On the downside, an official high school transcript with fewer than 22 credits might prevent direct admission into some post-secondary institutions, Leibham said.
If the board adopts the proposal at a future meeting, "We want to be careful that this doesn't become something that's aspirational, something that (students) are striving for because that would be really lowering the bar, and we're not proposing to do that," Weissenburger said.
In addition, students wouldn't be able to use this option to graduate early, Leibham said.
This proposal "certainly allows (specific students) to get back into the ball game," board member Brent Wogahn said. "I think it's an excellent idea."
O'Brien can be reached at 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
DPI: Longfellow School MUST Comply With SAGE
FINALLY, the DPI is attempting to hold the ECASD accountable for creating a school with close to 75% "at risk" children and not providing the staff and teachers with the resources to help students succeed. I have heard for YEARS that the situation at Longfellow was unfair and not in compliance with SAGE rules since it was merged with students from Lincoln to accommodate the Montessori program.
Justice delayed is justice denied for those students and staff who had too few resources for so many years.
Maria
Updated: 6/17/2008 11:27:01 PM
Longfellow may have to add teachers
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff
The Eau Claire school district might have to add up to two teachers at Longfellow School to comply with requirements for a state program aimed at reducing class sizes at the elementary level.
Earlier this year, school officials - at the direction of the school board - applied for waivers from the state Department of Public Instruction for eight schools offering the Student Achievement Guarantee in Education, or SAGE, program to give the district time to comply with the class size requirement of one teacher to 15 students in kindergarten through third grade.
The DPI denied the waiver request for Longfellow School, meaning the elementary must be in full compliance with the 15-to-1 class size requirement beginning in the 2008-09 school year.
The DPI reviews SAGE waivers on a case-by-case basis considering a variety of factors, including classroom configuration, overall class sizes, poverty rates and student achievement data, said Shelly Greller, a DPI SAGE program consultant.
In looking at all of those factors, "We thought Longfellow was one (school) we really wanted to make the district take a look at," she said. In denying the waiver for the north side school, "We're kind of helping the district prioritize."
In March, the board unanimously approved a motion to apply for the waivers for Flynn, Lakeshore, Locust Lane, Longfellow, Northwoods, Roosevelt, Sam Davey and Sherman. That motion included using up to $400,000 as a one-time payment from the district budget's general fund to work toward compliance with the SAGE law.
Throughout the summer, district officials will continue to monitor enrollment projections for Longfellow for the 2008-09 academic year, said Gregg Butler, interim deputy superintendent.
If projected class sizes materialize or increase, the school board then will have to consider adding either a first- or second-grade teacher or both, he said.
District officials estimated the cost of two teachers at $120,000 to $130,000.
While denying the waiver request for Longfellow, the DPI approved waivers for the other schools for the 2008-09 school year, with conditions.
In the fall, a committee will be formulated to examine the SAGE program and make recommendations to the school board regarding compliance with the law, Butler said.
O'Brien can be reached at 830-5838, 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
Justice delayed is justice denied for those students and staff who had too few resources for so many years.
Maria
Updated: 6/17/2008 11:27:01 PM
Longfellow may have to add teachers
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff
The Eau Claire school district might have to add up to two teachers at Longfellow School to comply with requirements for a state program aimed at reducing class sizes at the elementary level.
Earlier this year, school officials - at the direction of the school board - applied for waivers from the state Department of Public Instruction for eight schools offering the Student Achievement Guarantee in Education, or SAGE, program to give the district time to comply with the class size requirement of one teacher to 15 students in kindergarten through third grade.
The DPI denied the waiver request for Longfellow School, meaning the elementary must be in full compliance with the 15-to-1 class size requirement beginning in the 2008-09 school year.
The DPI reviews SAGE waivers on a case-by-case basis considering a variety of factors, including classroom configuration, overall class sizes, poverty rates and student achievement data, said Shelly Greller, a DPI SAGE program consultant.
In looking at all of those factors, "We thought Longfellow was one (school) we really wanted to make the district take a look at," she said. In denying the waiver for the north side school, "We're kind of helping the district prioritize."
In March, the board unanimously approved a motion to apply for the waivers for Flynn, Lakeshore, Locust Lane, Longfellow, Northwoods, Roosevelt, Sam Davey and Sherman. That motion included using up to $400,000 as a one-time payment from the district budget's general fund to work toward compliance with the SAGE law.
Throughout the summer, district officials will continue to monitor enrollment projections for Longfellow for the 2008-09 academic year, said Gregg Butler, interim deputy superintendent.
If projected class sizes materialize or increase, the school board then will have to consider adding either a first- or second-grade teacher or both, he said.
District officials estimated the cost of two teachers at $120,000 to $130,000.
While denying the waiver request for Longfellow, the DPI approved waivers for the other schools for the 2008-09 school year, with conditions.
In the fall, a committee will be formulated to examine the SAGE program and make recommendations to the school board regarding compliance with the law, Butler said.
O'Brien can be reached at 830-5838, 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
Change in Retiree Health Plan Proposed
I do not have enough information about the process and costs and consequences of this change to make any comment at this time. Anybody else?
Maria
Updated: 6/17/2008 11:47:01 PM
Retires riled over Eau Claire school district's health plan offer
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff
Some retired Eau Claire school district teachers are upset they may have to pay more for health insurance than their counterparts who are still working.
Dozens of retirees attended Monday's school board meeting to express their concerns over changes to their insurance coverage that mean they no longer would have identical plans as current teachers.
Retired Memorial High School English teacher Fred Poss is hopeful retirees and district officials can work through the issue.
Retirees aren't asking for anything extra, just what they're entitled to get from past deals, he said.
"A deal is a deal, and when it's not, look out," said Poss, one of six people to address the board Monday.
School officials will meet with retirees Monday in an effort to work through the disagreement over health insurance.
"Whenever we make a big change, there are challenges to that," board President Carol Craig said Tuesday, "so we want an open session, so every retiree understands what's being offered."
In past years, retirees have been offered the same health insurance plan as active employees, said Jim Kling, district executive director of personnel.
In the Eau Claire school district, 274 retirees have the district's health insurance plan, Kling said.
District officials proposed moving all employees, including retirees, to high-deductible health reimbursement accounts but later were directed by their lawyer not to offer the HRA plan because of the possibility of a legal challenge, he said. Because of that, retirees were offered the traditional health insurance plan in effect under the last contract, which comes with a 17 percent increase in the premium.
The out-of-pocket costs for employees vary, but Kling said such costs range from zero to $2,200 for a single plan under the traditional health insurance plan and zero to $1,500 for a single plan under the HRA plan.
"The issue is really one that we don't necessarily have to take on, but it's essential that we do at the same time, and that is because we bargained in good faith, and this is a very concerning factor that came in after the bargaining," said Jo Burke, president of the Eau Claire Association of Educators, the teachers union.
"We've always had an agreement that any insurance plan covers all employees - active and retired," she said, "(so), the issue is whether existing retirees should be provided a different health plan than current employees."
O'Brien can be reached at 830-5838, 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
Maria
Updated: 6/17/2008 11:47:01 PM
Retires riled over Eau Claire school district's health plan offer
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff
Some retired Eau Claire school district teachers are upset they may have to pay more for health insurance than their counterparts who are still working.
Dozens of retirees attended Monday's school board meeting to express their concerns over changes to their insurance coverage that mean they no longer would have identical plans as current teachers.
Retired Memorial High School English teacher Fred Poss is hopeful retirees and district officials can work through the issue.
Retirees aren't asking for anything extra, just what they're entitled to get from past deals, he said.
"A deal is a deal, and when it's not, look out," said Poss, one of six people to address the board Monday.
School officials will meet with retirees Monday in an effort to work through the disagreement over health insurance.
"Whenever we make a big change, there are challenges to that," board President Carol Craig said Tuesday, "so we want an open session, so every retiree understands what's being offered."
In past years, retirees have been offered the same health insurance plan as active employees, said Jim Kling, district executive director of personnel.
In the Eau Claire school district, 274 retirees have the district's health insurance plan, Kling said.
District officials proposed moving all employees, including retirees, to high-deductible health reimbursement accounts but later were directed by their lawyer not to offer the HRA plan because of the possibility of a legal challenge, he said. Because of that, retirees were offered the traditional health insurance plan in effect under the last contract, which comes with a 17 percent increase in the premium.
The out-of-pocket costs for employees vary, but Kling said such costs range from zero to $2,200 for a single plan under the traditional health insurance plan and zero to $1,500 for a single plan under the HRA plan.
"The issue is really one that we don't necessarily have to take on, but it's essential that we do at the same time, and that is because we bargained in good faith, and this is a very concerning factor that came in after the bargaining," said Jo Burke, president of the Eau Claire Association of Educators, the teachers union.
"We've always had an agreement that any insurance plan covers all employees - active and retired," she said, "(so), the issue is whether existing retirees should be provided a different health plan than current employees."
O'Brien can be reached at 830-5838, 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Letter to the Editor 6-13=08
Give Klaus walking papers
Some of us remember April in Eau Claire - not Paris. We remember how April took her boots not made for walking (unlike Nancy Sinatra) on a plane to New York where she dazzled folks with her story about not being homecoming queen in spite of getting the most popular votes.
If anyone understands, surely Hillary Rodham Clinton does. So does a former Memorial High School principal who got his walking papers and took them "up nort'," where I now happily reside.
In spite of not getting national fame/attention, former Eau Claire school district Superintendent Bill Klaus should move out (and be pushed, if necessary), preferably somewhere far away to the south. Let's try to get rid of this Old Maid card, like the folks who sent Eau Claire its new school superintendant.
Does the school board need national attention before doing what is right? Paid leave? C'mon! Fire the dude. Kudos to Leader-Telegram reporter Julian Emerson for exposing the ruse.
Voters won't forget, so please, elected folks, do what is right before our children pay the price for your ignorance. Your silence is deafening. Tell us what you know, if you know more than we Leader-Telegram readers do.
MARILYN BUSHENDORF
New Auburn
Keep eye on school district
The recent issues surrounding the Eau Claire school board will hopefully persuade all Eau Claire residents to adjust their votes accordingly in the next election.
Let us also not allow this mishandling of responsibility to be pushed under the carpet. We must demand accountability for those we've elected to public office, and also see to it that punishment for violations is severely and publicly applied.
The closed-door meetings that the school board has held and the withholding of public records are more of the same sort of behavior that got us to where we are now. Closed-door meetings should be for very personal and private matters regarding students only. Public officials' behavior, pay and benefits do not qualify.
Kudos to the Leader-Telegram for not letting this violation of public trust be ignored. Please continue the attention and keep the public informed until the right thing is done.
BARRY LANCETTE
Eau Claire
Some of us remember April in Eau Claire - not Paris. We remember how April took her boots not made for walking (unlike Nancy Sinatra) on a plane to New York where she dazzled folks with her story about not being homecoming queen in spite of getting the most popular votes.
If anyone understands, surely Hillary Rodham Clinton does. So does a former Memorial High School principal who got his walking papers and took them "up nort'," where I now happily reside.
In spite of not getting national fame/attention, former Eau Claire school district Superintendent Bill Klaus should move out (and be pushed, if necessary), preferably somewhere far away to the south. Let's try to get rid of this Old Maid card, like the folks who sent Eau Claire its new school superintendant.
Does the school board need national attention before doing what is right? Paid leave? C'mon! Fire the dude. Kudos to Leader-Telegram reporter Julian Emerson for exposing the ruse.
Voters won't forget, so please, elected folks, do what is right before our children pay the price for your ignorance. Your silence is deafening. Tell us what you know, if you know more than we Leader-Telegram readers do.
MARILYN BUSHENDORF
New Auburn
Keep eye on school district
The recent issues surrounding the Eau Claire school board will hopefully persuade all Eau Claire residents to adjust their votes accordingly in the next election.
Let us also not allow this mishandling of responsibility to be pushed under the carpet. We must demand accountability for those we've elected to public office, and also see to it that punishment for violations is severely and publicly applied.
The closed-door meetings that the school board has held and the withholding of public records are more of the same sort of behavior that got us to where we are now. Closed-door meetings should be for very personal and private matters regarding students only. Public officials' behavior, pay and benefits do not qualify.
Kudos to the Leader-Telegram for not letting this violation of public trust be ignored. Please continue the attention and keep the public informed until the right thing is done.
BARRY LANCETTE
Eau Claire
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Letter to the Editor 6-10-08
Integrity can't be selective
The Leader-Telegram demonstrates truth and fortitude when it continues to report on questionable actions by some in current or former leadership positions in the Eau Claire school district. After the Sunday, May 4, "Letter from the Editor" was printed, there is an important need to clarify key points in life activities and educational accountability.
Today there is a common fallacy in religious and business organizations. Arrogance and deception are continually observed in "lumping" financial activity all together. It becomes impossible to distinguish where the ultimate dollar is spent and who receives the greatest compensation.
This generation needs to understand, and model action speaks louder than words. Ridiculous, fabricated excuses do not excuse the "intelligently educated." We must clarify such talk as rubbish. Such actions can and will remove any praise from previous years of service.
Enough is enough! True integrity is demonstrated when no one is looking! Bill Klaus, Carol Olson and Mike O'Brien - we now know what you think and do when you believe no one is looking! Intelligent, educated citizens are refusing to accept your actions, fabrications and excuses. This school district desires open leadership with integrity. It sends the wrong message to our young people to announce a person is on paid leave, but does not reflect on the shameful activity of the likes of such "leadership." Our community respectfully requests the correct message to students that actions do affect your lasting legacy! Oust Klaus!
ORVIN L. BYSTOL
Eau Claire
The Leader-Telegram demonstrates truth and fortitude when it continues to report on questionable actions by some in current or former leadership positions in the Eau Claire school district. After the Sunday, May 4, "Letter from the Editor" was printed, there is an important need to clarify key points in life activities and educational accountability.
Today there is a common fallacy in religious and business organizations. Arrogance and deception are continually observed in "lumping" financial activity all together. It becomes impossible to distinguish where the ultimate dollar is spent and who receives the greatest compensation.
This generation needs to understand, and model action speaks louder than words. Ridiculous, fabricated excuses do not excuse the "intelligently educated." We must clarify such talk as rubbish. Such actions can and will remove any praise from previous years of service.
Enough is enough! True integrity is demonstrated when no one is looking! Bill Klaus, Carol Olson and Mike O'Brien - we now know what you think and do when you believe no one is looking! Intelligent, educated citizens are refusing to accept your actions, fabrications and excuses. This school district desires open leadership with integrity. It sends the wrong message to our young people to announce a person is on paid leave, but does not reflect on the shameful activity of the likes of such "leadership." Our community respectfully requests the correct message to students that actions do affect your lasting legacy! Oust Klaus!
ORVIN L. BYSTOL
Eau Claire
Friday, June 6, 2008
ECASD Administrators Knew More Than They Told the BOE??
Comm. Cummins has been unfairly criticized in the LT Comments that she should have resigned if she objected. I hope that EACH AND EVERY BOE member who was on the Board in October 2007 when this hit the fan will explain to the public WHAT THE H#*L THEY WERE THINKING was the meaning of this if not that a totally fake document had been created to increase Klaus' current compensation and that it had been backdated by Olson when she had no authority to do so. The fact that Cummins was concerned and, apparently, unable to sway other BOE members to share her concern deserves kudos not derision.
Maria
Updated: 6/5/2008
Cummins: Officials stonewalled school board on stipend
By Julian Emerson
Leader-Telegram staff
Two days after learning about an alteration to former Superintendent Bill Klaus' contract without the knowledge of the Eau Claire school board, member Trish Cummins requested a meeting with legal counsel outlining the district's responsibility in the matter.
An Oct. 24 e-mail message from Cummins to her fellow board members and district administrators reveals Cummins' concern about the issue.
But instead of addressing the issue, administrators to whom the message was sent - interim Superintendent James Leary, Deputy Superintendent Gregg Butler and Personnel Director Jim Kling - failed to respond to the request, prompting questions about their apparent attempt to keep the contract change under wraps, Cummins and other sources said.
The message notes Cummins' coming to terms with "the gravity of the situation" and questions the legal and ethical responsibility of board members related to the contract change that allowed Klaus to begin receiving his $225,000 retirement stipend payments earlier than allowed.
"I didn't know if this was criminal or a personnel issue," Cummins said Wednesday. "But I didn't think we could say, 'Oh well, I guess this happened and we're not going to do anything about it.' I didn't want to be the elected official who turned away from this."
Despite repeated questions about the status of seeking legal counsel, Cummins said she received little response from administrators, even as Klaus' contract alteration received continued discussion during subsequent closed-session school board meetings in November and December.
Other sources familiar with the situation confirmed that administrators with knowledge of the contract change were reluctant to reveal information about it, even to board members. Several board members said they didn't realize the full scope of the contract change until an April 19 Leader-Telegram story detailing how former board PresidentCarol Olson, at Klaus' request, signed and backdated a document stipulating that Klaus' stipend payments begin on Aug. 1, 2007.
"After going through the (school board investigation), there was a lot more information available (on Oct. 22) than was given to us that night," board member Ken Faanes said.
District officials say Klaus did not receive any of that money - to be paid over five years - after the document signed by Olson was questioned. The matter has resulted in ongoing police and school board investigations, and Klaus was placed on administrative leave from his job as Northstar Middle School principal.
Klaus has said he believed the board had approved his receiving that money as part of contract changes it approved on Feb. 5, 2007. He said he met with Leary, Kling and former school board President Michael O'Brien during late summer or early fall in an attempt to resolve stipend payment questions.
Board members said they never discussed granting Klaus early retirement payments and noted that administrators kept them in the dark about the issue even after the Oct. 22 meeting.
"I am uncertain as to why my request was not met," Cummins said, "and to not even have it addressed was very frustrating. As a board member I represent the community, and I believe most members of this community would have looked at this and said, 'What the heck is going on?' "
Leary, Butler and Kling did not return messages Wednesday seeking comment.
Administrators weren't the only people who apparently withheld information about the topic. District officials familiar with the situation say O'Brien knew about the contract change before the Oct. 22 meeting but didn't inform fellow board members.
O'Brien has said documents related to Klaus' contract sought by the Leader-Telegram should not be made available to the newspaper because that issue had been discussed in closed session. He has refused further comment on Klaus' contract.
In April, district officials granted the Leader-Telegram access to Klaus' personnel file, and the school board subsequently ordered other documents turned over to the newspaper. Some of those records still have not been released.
In the meantime, the school board and police investigations continue. The school board has interviewed six district employees, including Klaus, but hasn't announced any possible disciplinary action. Reports from the police investigation will be forwarded to Eau Claire County District Attorney Rich White, who will decide whether to file charges.
Emerson can be reached at 830-5911, 800-236-7077 or julian.emerson@ecpc.com.
Maria
Updated: 6/5/2008
Cummins: Officials stonewalled school board on stipend
By Julian Emerson
Leader-Telegram staff
Two days after learning about an alteration to former Superintendent Bill Klaus' contract without the knowledge of the Eau Claire school board, member Trish Cummins requested a meeting with legal counsel outlining the district's responsibility in the matter.
An Oct. 24 e-mail message from Cummins to her fellow board members and district administrators reveals Cummins' concern about the issue.
But instead of addressing the issue, administrators to whom the message was sent - interim Superintendent James Leary, Deputy Superintendent Gregg Butler and Personnel Director Jim Kling - failed to respond to the request, prompting questions about their apparent attempt to keep the contract change under wraps, Cummins and other sources said.
The message notes Cummins' coming to terms with "the gravity of the situation" and questions the legal and ethical responsibility of board members related to the contract change that allowed Klaus to begin receiving his $225,000 retirement stipend payments earlier than allowed.
"I didn't know if this was criminal or a personnel issue," Cummins said Wednesday. "But I didn't think we could say, 'Oh well, I guess this happened and we're not going to do anything about it.' I didn't want to be the elected official who turned away from this."
Despite repeated questions about the status of seeking legal counsel, Cummins said she received little response from administrators, even as Klaus' contract alteration received continued discussion during subsequent closed-session school board meetings in November and December.
Other sources familiar with the situation confirmed that administrators with knowledge of the contract change were reluctant to reveal information about it, even to board members. Several board members said they didn't realize the full scope of the contract change until an April 19 Leader-Telegram story detailing how former board PresidentCarol Olson, at Klaus' request, signed and backdated a document stipulating that Klaus' stipend payments begin on Aug. 1, 2007.
"After going through the (school board investigation), there was a lot more information available (on Oct. 22) than was given to us that night," board member Ken Faanes said.
District officials say Klaus did not receive any of that money - to be paid over five years - after the document signed by Olson was questioned. The matter has resulted in ongoing police and school board investigations, and Klaus was placed on administrative leave from his job as Northstar Middle School principal.
Klaus has said he believed the board had approved his receiving that money as part of contract changes it approved on Feb. 5, 2007. He said he met with Leary, Kling and former school board President Michael O'Brien during late summer or early fall in an attempt to resolve stipend payment questions.
Board members said they never discussed granting Klaus early retirement payments and noted that administrators kept them in the dark about the issue even after the Oct. 22 meeting.
"I am uncertain as to why my request was not met," Cummins said, "and to not even have it addressed was very frustrating. As a board member I represent the community, and I believe most members of this community would have looked at this and said, 'What the heck is going on?' "
Leary, Butler and Kling did not return messages Wednesday seeking comment.
Administrators weren't the only people who apparently withheld information about the topic. District officials familiar with the situation say O'Brien knew about the contract change before the Oct. 22 meeting but didn't inform fellow board members.
O'Brien has said documents related to Klaus' contract sought by the Leader-Telegram should not be made available to the newspaper because that issue had been discussed in closed session. He has refused further comment on Klaus' contract.
In April, district officials granted the Leader-Telegram access to Klaus' personnel file, and the school board subsequently ordered other documents turned over to the newspaper. Some of those records still have not been released.
In the meantime, the school board and police investigations continue. The school board has interviewed six district employees, including Klaus, but hasn't announced any possible disciplinary action. Reports from the police investigation will be forwarded to Eau Claire County District Attorney Rich White, who will decide whether to file charges.
Emerson can be reached at 830-5911, 800-236-7077 or julian.emerson@ecpc.com.
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Fund Balance Explained
Folks,
Here is an essay by Dan VandeWater explaining the proper use of the Fund Balance. I am in complete agreement with him on its judicious use.
Maria
Updated: 5/27/2008 4:32:01 PM
Fund balance school safety net
By Daniel Van De Water
A letter to Voice of the People on May 16 raised questions related to the school district's "fund balance." The "fund balance" of an organization is simply the difference between its assets and liabilities. The primary component of the school district's fund balance is its designation for working capital. Working capital is used to cover the timing difference between when the school district receives its revenue and when it has to pay its bills. Fund balance is increased when revenues exceed expenditures in a given fiscal period.
The Department of Public Instruction suggests that a school district's fund balance be "an amount sufficient that short-term borrowing for cash flow could be avoided and would also allow the district to set aside sufficient assets to realize its longer range goals."
The school district's fund balance has grown from $9,215,079 on June 30, 2000 to $19,656,931 as of June 30, 2007. Even at the current level, the fund balance is not sufficient to avoid short-term cash-flow borrowing. Short-term borrowing for the 2007-08 school year is $6,250,000. The loan runs from Oct. 9, 2007, through Aug. 29, 2008. The net interest rate is 3.42 percent. The interest expense that will be booked this year will be $227,755.24.
In addition to avoiding short-term borrowing and the associated interest costs, a school district with an appropriate fund balance can:
- Accumulate sufficient assets to cover unforeseen expenditure needs.
- Demonstrate financial stability to preserve or enhance its bond rating, thereby lowering debt issuance costs.
As a good steward of the taxpayer dollars entrusted to the school district, all available funds are invested to earn interest. The safety of principal is always the first criteria in selecting an investment opportunity. The school district earned $734,527.02 in interest income during the 2006-07 school year. The school district also has to pay interest on the money it borrows short term. The school district paid $371,328.67 in interest expense during the 2006-07 school year.
The school district takes its fiduciary responsibilities seriously. The Finance Department maintains detailed records of all monies received and expended. Annual cash-flow projections are made and presented to the Board of Education in open session. The board takes action on all short-term borrowing at which time the term of the loan, the interest rate and the successful bidder are explained. Anyone interested in seeing the day-to-day activities and daily cash balances for the 2006-07 budget, or for any other period of time for that matter, is invited to contact the school district's Finance Department.
Van De Water is executive director of business services for the Eau Claire school district.
Here is an essay by Dan VandeWater explaining the proper use of the Fund Balance. I am in complete agreement with him on its judicious use.
Maria
Updated: 5/27/2008 4:32:01 PM
Fund balance school safety net
By Daniel Van De Water
A letter to Voice of the People on May 16 raised questions related to the school district's "fund balance." The "fund balance" of an organization is simply the difference between its assets and liabilities. The primary component of the school district's fund balance is its designation for working capital. Working capital is used to cover the timing difference between when the school district receives its revenue and when it has to pay its bills. Fund balance is increased when revenues exceed expenditures in a given fiscal period.
The Department of Public Instruction suggests that a school district's fund balance be "an amount sufficient that short-term borrowing for cash flow could be avoided and would also allow the district to set aside sufficient assets to realize its longer range goals."
The school district's fund balance has grown from $9,215,079 on June 30, 2000 to $19,656,931 as of June 30, 2007. Even at the current level, the fund balance is not sufficient to avoid short-term cash-flow borrowing. Short-term borrowing for the 2007-08 school year is $6,250,000. The loan runs from Oct. 9, 2007, through Aug. 29, 2008. The net interest rate is 3.42 percent. The interest expense that will be booked this year will be $227,755.24.
In addition to avoiding short-term borrowing and the associated interest costs, a school district with an appropriate fund balance can:
- Accumulate sufficient assets to cover unforeseen expenditure needs.
- Demonstrate financial stability to preserve or enhance its bond rating, thereby lowering debt issuance costs.
As a good steward of the taxpayer dollars entrusted to the school district, all available funds are invested to earn interest. The safety of principal is always the first criteria in selecting an investment opportunity. The school district earned $734,527.02 in interest income during the 2006-07 school year. The school district also has to pay interest on the money it borrows short term. The school district paid $371,328.67 in interest expense during the 2006-07 school year.
The school district takes its fiduciary responsibilities seriously. The Finance Department maintains detailed records of all monies received and expended. Annual cash-flow projections are made and presented to the Board of Education in open session. The board takes action on all short-term borrowing at which time the term of the loan, the interest rate and the successful bidder are explained. Anyone interested in seeing the day-to-day activities and daily cash balances for the 2006-07 budget, or for any other period of time for that matter, is invited to contact the school district's Finance Department.
Van De Water is executive director of business services for the Eau Claire school district.
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