SALARY/STIPEND BOE

Recently I had questioned the rational behind the BOE's action in awarding annual salary plus a stipend to both the Interim Superintendent and the Interim Vice Superintendent for the 2011-2012 school year.  Assemblyman Green has also questioned that action.

One or more "Annons" have defended the BOEs non response claiming that such questions should only be asked during the public comment session of the BOE's meeting, Inferring, that bloggers do not have a right to criticise or question actions of elected or public bodies. .In a free society. questions about policy and procedures should not be restricted to a time limited comment period. Items of public concern are always open to questioning  and do not deserve a Watergate defense of privileged material..

Both Salary and Stipend refer to a defined payment for services implying a contract agreement. Therefore what is the rational for one position being awarded both? It is true that a stipend is often the term used for payment for a part time job or an extra position other than for the one the salary is designated. Since both persons have been "hired" for the designated position there can be no rational for a "stipend" unless there is a desire by the BOE to play with the numbers in an attempt to obfuscate actual payments. Perhaps a "Stipend" unlike salary  does not require pension benefits payments?

Thanks to Maria's OPRA efforts to make public the minutes of the BOE meetings, it has become apparent that this double reimbursement practice has been for at least two "watches" before the Gallon era an unquestioned policy for upper executive personnel.. if you have time to wade  through all the verbiage read the BOE minutes which  Maria posted yesterday .  Once more one must  wonder if the BOEs of the past decade or two understood their fiduciary responsibilities.Is tradition so great that he present Board continues to deceive the public.

The posing of this question  seems to have also created a rebirth of the pro-anti Gallon debate. Irrespective of the merits of the case that led to Gallon's dismissal, he was doomed before he started, Granted that he did have progressive ideas and if given the opportunity of time would have revitalized the PSS, However, there was a hard core of destructive antagonism  against any outsider which unfortunately may have had the support of some of the BOE. In addition he may have come across as arrogant due to his flowery speech habits.

But Gallon was also stupid;  he had to bring his three lady friends with him from Florida Then with the cooperation of the BOE he newly created for them jobs which the State had not authorized as part of a school system's organization. The BOE has to share responsibility for Gallon's failure and the continuation of the practice of wasting educational funds on early termi9nations and associated legal fees.

Since this Board  has authorizes an unique action it, not the Interim Superintendent  owes the tax payers  an explanation.