Referendum Bonus Item - Early Answers to Early Questions

Two question/comment e-mails came in so far for Monday's Board Meeting (remember, if you can't attend the meeting, and want to ask a question or submit a comment, e-mail it to the list, or post a comment on the Blog). One question stood out, as it was on both e-mails. It went something like this: Why did Mr. Hill get a $10,000.00 bonus for getting the referendum passed?

I hadn't heard this. So I decided to e-mail Board member Pat Hughes and ask him about it. Did he get a bounus? Was it for passing the referendum? Was it in the amount of $10,000, or was it some other amount? Here's his response to this, as well as to questions about the teacher contract negotiations and the gifted program:

"Thanks for bringing these issues to my attention and I'm happy to answer them...especially rumors.

"First, there was NO bonus paid to John Hill or anyone of our administrators for passing the referendum. I could see how this rumor started when you saw how hard John worked on the referendum, but I think that shows his dedication to our kids.

"Second, we continue to work with the teachers union in a positive manner and feel we will have a contract completed soon.

"Third, the Gifted Program is an after school function fully supported by the kids that decide to join that program. Like our other outside activities (Sports, Band, Choir,..) they are paid for by the parents. Also, there has been no discussions of funding the sports program with any extra money. We are very pleased with the parents that have stepped-up to help coach these programs so our kids can participate without paying up to $300.00 per sport.

"Lastly, I'm not sure what access the public has to contracts, but I will find out."

I e-mailed back to ask him to clarify that Mr. Hill did not receive a bonus, not just for the referendum, but any bonus at all. Pat's reply:

"[Y]es, there was no bonus paid to John."

Thanks, Pat, for all of your help!