Ladue School Administrators Huddling Monday Over Superintendent Transition

flyoverland December 3, 2012 at 01:11 pm

So, let me get this straight, because it really is as clear as mud. She asked for a "personal leave," but it was by mutual agreement? Now, we learn apparently, that the school board is still trying to figure out how to move forward. Most Boards of Directors would already have a succession plan in place. I think the board has an obligation to its taxpayers, especially during the time of the year when new higher tax bills are giving heart attacks to all those who failed to pay attention during the recent election and failed to fully understand the financial consequences of not voting, to tell us exactly what happened. People quit all the time, (however, they usually don't get paid off if they do). People get fired all the time. Sometimes, it's with cause and they don't get paid and sometimes it is without cause and they do get paid off. But, if a board pays off an executive, there is usually a compelling reason. If that is the case , what is it? It seems one party initiated the issue. Were things so bad the board felt a mid-term change in leadership was necessary? Was the board so bad that she just couldn't work with them anymore? What happened? Things happen. Be honest about it and move on. The people paying the bills deserve to know what happened and what is going to be the plan going forward. Trite PR buzzwords are not enough.

TOM CORI December 3, 2012 at 01:37 pm

She is being paid. How much TOTAL....cash + health + pension + car + moving expenses + travel + things not listed....direct and indirect. Does this sum include unused vacation and sick leave pay? The School Board should publish an itemized account of theses expenses + how many days they expected her to "consult" + the cost of travel + other expenses for consulting. Finally the logic of why they agreed to such a deal.

CreveCoeurDad December 3, 2012 at 03:52 pm

Clearly they were caught flat-footed here, which tells me they didn't expect it. It's also pretty clear that although it was "by mutual agreement", they also didn't have much of a choice - either through accrued leave or she knows where the bodies were buried - take your pick. In either case, she's not happy with the way things are going and she decided to take her marbles and go home. Same with the HS principal.
Something is causing tension between the board and the administration and the board needs to be clear exactly why that is. I'm not saying which side is right, but the voters do have a right to know what's going on.

flyoverland December 3, 2012 at 05:57 pm

When the two of us agree, I think that says it all.