dekalb school watch two

After seeing the “overview” of Superintendent Green’s contract, we were curious to see what he was really being paid. See below for Year One and Year Two — with a whole lot of blank spaces.  Who is so fiscally irresponsible as to approve and then sign a contract with blank spaces?

RSGreen Contract Years One and Two_8.5×14 Page

NOTE: The contract attachment (above in PDF) may be printed on a single 8-1/2 x 14 page. The attachment in Excel 2010 is also available via email from DSW on request.  

In addition to filling in the blanks with dollar amounts (or percentage of salary — annual or monthly) we also have a few questions.  We have asked for answers.  We think you will agree that these questions are entirely appropriate given the following facts:

We are paying top dollar for a superintendent (1)who comes from an unaccredited system 1/7th the size of DeKalb County Schools where he was (2)unable to meet academic achievement goals while (3)spending about $20,000 per student and (4) who misled the Kansas City taxpayers about seeing the K.C. job through even as he was (5)looking for another job in another city.

Plus, DeKalb County Schools already spends so much money on the bloated Palace that DCS is financially unable to: (6)pay teachers a competitive salary; (7)make teachers whole regarding lost contributions to the Tax Sheltered Annuity and (8)the resulting loss of earned interest; (9)provide textbooks and technology for all students; (10)properly supply classrooms, teachers and students; (11)provide substitute teachers as needed; (12)provide well-deserved and promised raises to ALL certified personnel, including media specialists (who teach every student); and (13)reimburse the federal government for mis-used Title 1 funds (in 2014) thereby continuing to shortchange students who require Title 1 services since all federal funding — at least for Title 1 — has stopped.

Here are the questions:

[1]  What is the dollar amount or percentage of salary for each item (green cells) in the Standard Benefits Package for 12-month Certified Administrative Employees?

[2]  What other insurance is provided to 12-month Certified Administrative Employees? Social Security?  Supplemental Retirement Plan?  Tax-Sheltered Annuity?  How much is this additional insurance?

[3]  Green should pay his own share of TRS — just like teachers do.  Will DCS be paying anything additional to “buy” credits for the years Green has worked elsewhere in education?

[4]  How much paid leave (not vacation) is part of this contract?

[5]  How much unpaid leave is part of this contract?  At what point does unpaid leave become job abandonment? (Remembering Cheryl Atkinson’s antics …)

[6]  Why?  We don’t see the point of this expense except to add to Green’s already overblown compensation.

[7]  What is the difference between the Life Insurance that is part of the Standard Benefits Package for 12-month Certified Administrative Employees and this term life insurance?  Isn’t this duplicating what is already in the Standard Benefits Package for 12-month Certified Administrative Employees?  Why is it included?

[8]  The contract reads, “Shall previously been budgeted for as general expenses of the Superintendent.”  How much is that?  What does it cover?  How much are the membership dues for the Georgia Superintendents Association and the American Association of School Administrators?  Does reimbursement require receipts?

[9]  Why?  Have threats been made?  If so, involve the DeKalb County police.  What constitutes security, anyhow?  Installing an alarm system in the Superintendent’s house? Full-time security person as the Superintendent’s driver (like Atkinson had)?  Round-the-clock security at home and at the Palace?

[10]  According to the contract this equipment remains the property of DeKalb County Schools.  Will the Superintendent be financially responsible for damage, destruction and loss — and replacement? (Also remembering Cheryl Atkinson’s antics …)

[11]  How is this different from the Tax Sheltered Annuity taken away from teachers? Why is it provided to a new superintendent, who is new to DeKalb County Schools, when teachers are denied?  Actually, we have heard rumors that senior administrative employees at the Palace still receive Tax Sheltered Annuity contributions.

[12]  Why are our tax dollars paying for this when the Affordable Care Act makes reasonably-priced health care available for just such a situation.  What other unintended costs might we incur by extending Missouri-based health insurance for a month?  For example, suppose Green’s current plan allows insured healthcare treatment in Missouri only.  Who pays for transportation and lodging if Green or his wife need healthcare during June?

[13]  Not included in the contract:  Who is paying for Green’s relocation expenses such as packing and moving costs, real estate fees, house-hunting travel between Kansas City and the Atlanta area, etc?  DeKalb County Schools?  How much will those costs be? They are not in the contract.

[14]  Not included in the contract:  Will Green be asked to live in DeKalb County where his success — or lack of — will have a serious effect on home values (including his home value), business relocation and job opportunities?  This, also, is not in the contract.  Why?

Do you have any other questions?  Ask your board member and let us know, too. We will add your questions to the list and track the answers you get when you share them with us.  Meanwhile, you might find it eye-opening to compare Green’s salary and perks with your own paycheck report.