The old adage ‘you can’t please everybody? seemed to hold true while discussing the superintendent contract for Tim Throne at the April 22 Oxford Board of Education meeting
Throne, who’s currently deputy superintendent, is set to take over as superintendent on June 1.
Throne’s contract was unanimously approved by the school board and even drew support from some citizens attending the meeting.
However, concerns were expressed over contract language that would allow Throne to transfer unused sick and vacation days to employees in need.
Oxford resident Kallie Roesner-Meyers believes it’s a kind gesture by Throne, but she’s afraid it will cause ‘a Santa Claus? effect, meaning days would only be given to employees who are on the proverbial nice list.
‘I don’t even know if it’s legal in terms of labor laws and I don’t think it’s appropriate to put (that) into a contract. If you have a district employee who needs more time, they should be able to get more time based on whatever your standards are,? Roesner-Meyers said.
‘Someone else shouldn’t be able to donate time (to other employees), especially someone who is in charge of them because,? in her opinion, it could create a perception of ‘unfairness? and generate ‘bad feelings? when certain employees are given those days and others are not.
Board Treasurer Dan D’Alessandro was baffled as to why anyone would be opposed to such an act.
‘The way that was set up and the way he presented that to us was if there is a teacher or a staff member that has an illness (and) they (use up) all their sick time and vacation time, he wants to be able to give it to them,? D’Alessandro said. ‘It’s been done in the past. I can’t see where that’s a bad thing. I just don’t understand why that’s an issue if there is somebody who wants to help somebody who is need.?
President Jim Reis agreed.
‘I don’t see a downside to doing that at all,? he added. ‘I think it builds community, builds staff support, teacher support. I just think it’s an all-around good thing.?
Trustee Kim Shumaker, who was on the contract negotiation committee along with D’Alessandro and Trustee Mike Schweig, said she called the district’s attorney and was told it was ‘totally legal.?
Trustee Joyce Brasington asked how Throne’s sick/vacation time donations would work in conjunction to the teachers union’s ‘sick bank.?
Trustee Mike Schweig noted that he wasn’t sure if the teachers? sick bank applied only to teachers, but Throne’s proposal would reach beyond just teachers and be able to help administrators and other staff as well.
Skilling explained superintendents already have at their discretion the ability to apply sick days that are given voluntarily by staff toward someone in need.
‘All staff members (and) administrators have given in the past. Regardless, if you choose to use this model Tim is proposing or not . . . he has the authority to carry that out,? said Superintendent William Skilling. ‘I think one of the benefits that comes out of doing this since I’ve been here and other districts (that do it) is, it really creates a caring environment and family environment. I just think it’s something that’s important we continue in allowing that superintendent to have that decision-making ability, which he currently has already.?
As a part of his strategy, Throne would not be the one making the decision of who receives his sick days. Instead, he would allow others to make that decision.
‘I’m just trying to provide for a way to help that employee, nothing more, nothing less,? Throne added. ‘If it’s too complicated or whatever, I’ll just back away from it. I don’t want to create something here that’s unmanageable, unyielding (or) that’s inappropriate.?
A second issue in Throne’s contract that raised some questions was the clause labeled ‘other work,? something Brasington brought up at the April 15 meeting. Under ‘other work,? Throne would be allowed as superintendent to ‘undertake speaking engagements, writing, lectures or other professional duties and obligations when such activities do not in any significant manner impinge upon time and effort required to be exerted by the superintendent in the discharge of the superintendent’s responsibilities under this contract. Any such activity shall be discussed by the superintendent and the Board of Education, and where possible, agreed upon.?
While Brasington doesn’t believe that Throne would abuse his powers, she just wanted some accountability.
Brasington was satisfied with the deletion of the second half of the last sentence, which made it ‘Any such activity shall be reported by the superintendent to the Board of Education.?
‘I just want a simple, ‘Joyce FYI,?? she said.
Schweig shared Brasington’s concern, but believes if the board felt things did get out of hand, it could be discussed during the superintendent’s evaluation, which he considered to be a check-and-balance and a way to hold the top administrator accountable.