Marion-Florence USD 408 board says no to fee waiver for teacher years ago
Staff writer
A Marion Elementary School teacher who is leaving her job early due to her husband being transferred will have to pay a fee for breaking her contract.
Marion-Florence USD 408 Board of Education voted 2-4 Monday night against a motion which would have waived the contract fee.
Last month, the school board accepted the resignation of Susie Best, effective the end of March.
Superintendent Lee Leiker explained at the time the resignation was accepted he believed the board wished to follow the negotiated agreement. However, since then, a letter had been sent to the board requesting a waiver.
Board member Keith Collett made the motion to waive the fee noting that teachers breaking contracts "historically" had not been a problem in USD 408.
"And financially, we'll actually be ahead if we don't have to pay the remainder of her health insurance premiums," Collett said.
Board member Kathy Meierhoff said she was "torn" on the issue.
"I feel Susie is a great teacher, but she's breaking her contract," Meierhoff said.
Board member Roger Hannaford III said he didn't want to set a precedent where an impression is given that the board will not hold staff to their contracts.
"I think we need to set the right precedent and stick with it," Hannaford said.
Board member Chris Sprowls agreed, "I have a problem with not following the negotiated agreement."
Board clerk/business manager Martin Tice said he believed that when the situation has surfaced in the past, fees were waived.
Collett said he believes the board needs to acknowledge that many of the employees who join the district are just starting their careers, have "complicated lives and spouses who have complicated lives.
"I really think she'd be here otherwise," he added.
"But if we're not going to follow the contract why have it in there?" Meierhoff questioned.
"We do it all the time for contractors and other people who work for the district," replied board vice-president Gene Bowers. "I would try to err on the side of compassion."
Bowers seconded Collett's motion, and when the vote was taken Bowers and Collett were the only two yes votes, while remaining board members Meierhoff, Hannaford, Sprowls, and Sarah Cope voted no. Board president Rex Savage was not present at the meeting.
In other matters, the board:
— Approved a request from Cope on behalf of Florence EMS director Judy Creamer asking to use the former Florence gymnasium during emergency situations.
The approval is contingent on Marion County Special Education Cooperative Board also granting approval to use the facility.
The request came about after the January ice storm where there was no area large enough to accommodate Florence residents in a shelter.
The board denied a related request to use the school district bus located in Florence in situations where evacuation would be necessary.
The board cited insurance concerns, the need to have a licensed CDL driver, and the fact that the bus is not always in Florence. During the school day, the bus may be out of town.
"My concern is a lot of times that bus may simply not be there," Collett said. "The community may think they have a plan in place during an emergency, but then it turns out the bus is not there."
Sprowls said he didn't think there would be a problem with the district loaning a bus or drivers to help out if necessary.
— Approved allowing Centre school district to use the USD 408 pole vault facility.
— Approved use of district school buildings to be used for vacation Bible school as has been done in the past.
— Approved a proposal which would grant students a one-half PE credit for participation in district sports programs, as discussed during the February meeting.
— Approved the 2005-06 school calendar as presented in February.
Hannaford asked about built-in snow days. Leiker noted the district is on the "contact hours" system which includes built-in time for snow days.
Bowers asked what would happen if the district ended up with a large number of snow days, like five or six.
Leiker replied the board would need to consider using spring break or using time at the end of May.
— Approved the hiring of three driver's education teachers: Steven Janzen, Sean Spoonts, and Doug Vogel; and bus driver Charles Dannenfelser.
Also approved the hiring of current Marion Elementary School staff Cindy Vinduska and Sarah Waddell to serve as coordinators for the after school PATHS program at a salary of $1,200 each. Anne Collett and Laurie Secrest will serve as aides at their regular hourly rate.
— Approved the use of district buses and drivers to transport students to the after prom party in Wichita.
— Heard from MES principal Stan Ploutz that the Parent Advisory Council was interested in installing a playground on the west side of the school.
Ploutz told the board it would be more convenient for the kindergarten, which is located on that side of the building. Also, it could be utilized by older students, who also are on that side of the complex.
Ploutz was directed to bring back financial information during the April meeting.
