‘Confidential’ agreements and lucrative buyouts
The Governor’s ‘release’ of Dr. Spampinato’s ‘confidential agreement’ with the Pittsburgh Public School District has raised more questions than it has answered. The following articles will likely make you question the truthfulness of recent public statements and remind you of Act 6905:
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From the Virgin Islands Daily News
“The agreement distributed to the senators’ offices on Tuesday is identical to an agreement obtained by Daily News reporters doing research before Spampinato was officially nominated in August. The Daily News first obtained the agreement and a press release explaining it after contacting the school district’s spokesperson.”
Located at http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17616049
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From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
“District Solicitor Ira Weiss warned board members complaining of the secrecy shrouding the move not to question it because of undisclosed legal concerns.”
Located at http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_513976.html
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From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“The agreement ending Lynn Spampinato’s employment with the Pittsburgh Public Schools offers no insight into her abrupt departure and was written so as to minimize the taxpayers’ chances of learning what went wrong.
The school board approved the agreement with Dr. Spampinato and announced key details last week. The school district released a copy of the agreement yesterday, after board President Bill Isler signed it.”
Located at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06325/740082-53.stm
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From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“Saying careful planning could help school districts avoid costly buyouts of administrators, state Auditor General Jack Wagner yesterday urged the Pittsburgh school board to amend its contract with Superintendent Mark Roosevelt to specify the compensation he’d receive if he were to leave the district prematurely.
“This consulting agreement may represent another example of a costly employment contract buyout that could have been avoided had the employment contract contained adequate termination provisions,” the audit said.”
Located at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07048/762865-53.stm
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From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“The circumstances behind the buyout were kept confidential because it was a personnel matter. But even without knowing the details, the public could fairly conclude that they did not get the service that had been anticipated from her and that taxpayer money had been wasted, just as the hopes of Superintendent Mark Roosevelt, who had chosen Dr. Spampinato, had been squandered.
Once again, the taxpayers are left holding the bag, amid high-priced questions and school officials barred by lawyers from giving answers. As we have said before, there ought to be a law that requires full disclosure. No wonder public offices are viewed with such skepticism.”
Located at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07229/810128-192.stm
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We agree, but there’s more. We saved the best for last!
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From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“The withering legislation would strictly limit the amount a school board could pay in such a situation and, just as important, it would require boards to report publicly why they agreed to the deal.
State Rep. Tom Stevenson, R-Mt. Lebanon, offered the bill in October 2005 in response to public outrage over the Mt. Lebanon School Board buying out then Superintendent Margery Sable’s contract for $500,000.
Outraged residents demanded to know why the board removed Ms. Sable and why it cost so much. They got no satisfaction from the school board, which contended that personnel matters are secret, even when they require half a million taxpayer dollars.”
Located at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06322/739365-192.stm
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This is the reaction we expect from Virgin Islanders trying to recover from the blow of Act 6905.
