A buyout of Superintendent Lutrey’s contract in the works?
There have been rumblings for some days now that the current HUSD board is working on an exit strategy for Superintendent Joyce Lutrey. Odds are the Ms. Lutrey sees the writing on the wall with the new board coming in soon and decided to initiate this process before the current board (which hase been generally supportive and sympathetic to her) leaves.
Well it looks like the issue will be discussed tonight at the board meeting — largely behind closed doors in an executive session. See this from the agenda for tonight:
11.0 Executive Session – Legal Advice
11.1 Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3), the Governing Board may Convene in
Executive Session for Legal Advice from the Attorney of the Public Body
Regarding the Superintendent’s Employment and Contract
12.0 Action and Information Items
12.1 Possible Action to Direct Attorney of Public Body Following Discussion in
Executive Session
Now I am all for a win-win exit strategy. But there are a growing number of people who are concerned that the current board is going to make the departure package too sweet. People who think Ms. Lutrey has done an atrocious job are especially worried about this. I am inclined to wait and see what the proposed deal is before getting too worried about it, but this is a big deal for the district so you interested stakeholders may want to keep an eye on this one.
Sebring:
Thanks for the heads up Geoff. I hope the board has enough sense to understand what the general sentiment on the street will be if a too generous of a package is offered to send Joyce and Denise packing. I will remain cautiously optimistic that the board will give her a fair severance and hope Kim looks out for our best interests. Being that the meeting is behind closed doors is alarming enough that we taxpayers in HUSD district should be on a high alerts of the dealings going on in there.
December 5, 2008, 10:48 amGeoff Johnston:
As an update, incoming board member Greg Land seemed upbeat about the proceedings last night after attending the meeting. Here is what he said:
December 5, 2008, 11:14 amConcerned Parent:
Is the boards objective to rid both Joyce and Birdwell? I know a few parents that are concerned that when Joyce leaves the board will replace her with Birdwell. All this would do is shift inappropriate management and decision making skills from one clone to the other. With our children’s school budget monies being used to buyout her contract, this is a serious concern.Also, would she be leaving mid year? OR would this take effect next year?
December 5, 2008, 12:40 pmGeoff Johnston:
I am fairly confident that whatever happens with Ms. Lutrey’s contract the decision on a new superintendent will be made by the next board. So there is virtually no risk that Ms. Birdwell will be named as the new permanent superintendent prior to January.
December 5, 2008, 12:44 pmConcerned Parent:
Whoa!Are you saying that Birdwell could be our new superintendent? Is this what the new board is moving Joyce out for?
December 5, 2008, 12:47 pmGeoff Johnston:
I think the odds of the new board choosing Ms. Birdwell as the new superintedent are virtually 0%.
My point was that the current discussions are exclusively about Ms. Lutrey’s contract as far as I can tell. So even if Ms. Lutrey agrees to to move on the new board will go be charged with hiring a new Superintendent next year.
December 5, 2008, 12:51 pmConcerned Parent:
Whew! I can breathe again! Geoff, I cannot believe you were not elected! I attended both forums and thought you three gentlemen had it wrapped. I hope you continue to represent the parents through this blog and keep us informed.
December 5, 2008, 12:55 pmDee:
Wow…for people who claim to be so concerned about the affairs of our district, it seems a bit irresponsible to be buying out a contract because of personality differences. I find it extremely offensive that a board-old OR new, would even consider paing someone off. I have yet to see any reson that Lutrey should be gone. Yeah-I have been to the meetings, I have been to some meeitngs in homes. I have been to the “debates” for the school board election-if you can call them that. I was even at the meeting where Christiansen made a ridiculous claim of Lurtey using Dr. prior to being a doctor. But I have still nto seen any evidence that this Superintendant has done anything wrong. What has she done to make people so mad? This district is booming! Do none of you remember the slim bag before her? She has accomplished much IMO. Please, if she is so bad-I want to see proof-not slanderous statements stating the case for her dismissal. If she needs to go-fine. Make a clear case why-because as of now, there are just a few disgruntlyed parents who got a bee in their bonnet and are just making noise.
December 5, 2008, 1:11 pmGeoff Johnston:
Dee,
Do you have any evidence at all that the current board is “buying out a contract because of personality differences” or did you just pull that accusation out of your… ummm… ear?
I find it extremely offensive that a board-old OR new, would even consider paing someone off
Obviously you have no experience with contracts then. Plus we still have no idea what the terms they are discussing are so what are you even offended about at this point?
December 5, 2008, 1:22 pmGeoff Johnston:
Concerned Parent,
Thanks for your kind words. I actually am not overly disappointed in not getting elected in light of Greg and Paul getting in there. I am confident the new board will do a lot to strengthen our district over the next few years. I do plan to keep this forum running though so hopefully that will help HUSD.
(The election was close but Ms. Standage managed to garner enough votes so more power to her. Frankly, my main concern was that Ms. Standage seemed to be in the pocket of Ms. Lutrey so if Ms. Lutrey is planning to leave anyway we may not have much to worry about.)
December 5, 2008, 1:45 pmDee:
Oh, that is right-you labled it exit strategy…She has a contract. The ONLY way to make her leave early is to buy her contract out. So in essence, Higley tax payers/parents will be forced to pay out huge sums of money to get rid of Lutrey and on TOP of that, pay another Superintendant’s salary. That doesn’t sound like it is in the best interest of our kids now-does it? Especially in a year where the budget is so tight. That sounds fiscally irresponsible.
So I am going to ask again. What has Lutrey done wrong? I am genuinely asking. I have been to dozens of meetings and still have no reason to believe that this is anything more than a witch hunt. So if she really has done something wrong-where is the proof? What is it she has done wrong? I think there are a lot of us who would like to know. Many of us have been standing by waiting for the “proof” to come and all we are told is “trust us”. So-show us the facts please.
December 5, 2008, 1:51 pmConcerned Parent:
Here are a few reasons why Lutrey is not favored.
December 5, 2008, 1:58 pm1. Spending almost $300,000 of our tax money to employ Dr. Langford for 4 weeks of the schoolyear in order to convince our teachers to throw out their gradebooks and run their classrooms like a business office. Apparently now she has abandoned his philosophies. Money spent well?
2.Reinventing the middle school schedule into one of the most complex schedules ever seen. Our students followed a Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 even, and Day 3 odd schedule. How much did my child retain that year???
3. Eliminating performance teaching staff (coincidentally more administrators were hired) causing art, drama, band, and technology teachers to teach at two schools. They would rush to and from campuses to teach. I have been told this was the cause of the confusing schedule.
4. Eliminating Social Study and Science teachers so that teachers had roughly 170 students each and class sizes over 35.
5. Telling teachers that if they didn’t like her decisions then to get out.
6. Misrepresenting herself to the public, twisting the facts that she earned a excellent evaluation from the board- when in actuality a board member revealed it was a satisfactory eval. Apparently she does this a lot.
7. Building a brand new state of the art district office. A previous superintendent refused to do so in order to put the money back into the districts budget for our students.
8. Running a poorly managed HR department that resulted in hiring a band teacher with a criminal background. This person went on to have a relationship with a student. She then allowed the Assistant Superintendent, her best friend, take the fall for this.
I could go on and on, but have a life. Let’s not forget that Lutrey was not the first choice to be hired in Higley. Not the second, nor third. She was the fourth candidate of choice. I am out of space… how ironic.
Geoff Johnston:
Dee: The ONLY way to make her leave early is to buy her contract out.
Actually, since it is a contract she could agree to opt out entirely with no pay. I doubt she will do that but I suspect they can come up with a win-win solution where Ms. Lutrey moves on to continue her career with some sort of severance. I understand she is eligible to retire at the end of this year so perhaps that would play into negotiations as well.
will be forced to pay out huge sums of money
Do you have any evidence to support this claim? Until we see the actual terms we just don’t know so please stop spouting your speculations as if they were facts.
What has Lutrey done wrong?
See the list from Concerned Parent as a starting place. I will add that she has completely lost the confidence and support of most of the stakeholders in the district — the residents, parents, and district employees — and that alone is a severe enough failure to want a change.
Of course you are free to hug and kiss her and shower her with gifts if you love her oh so much. But don’t expect the rest of us to be thrilled with her performance on the job.
December 5, 2008, 2:15 pmSebring:
Let me add Dee,
December 5, 2008, 3:21 pmHave you talked to a teacher or staff member of the district lately? The intimidation tactics Joyce and Denise Birdwell used on our staff was one that made for a hostile work environment. I’ve heard multiple allegations of this occurring and I use the word allegation loosely as unfortunately I cannot offer direct evidence, however I would rather follow the word of my kids teachers than that of Joyce or Denise. I do think that we have many good teachers that quit the district due to this environment and not for a lack of pay. We have the resources to recruit and retain great teachers to HUSD I think it’s about time we find administration to foster all of that hard work.
And I add anyone remember that debacle last year for Higley’s Elementary and Middle School hiring of a new principal when we had a capable Vice Principal already on the hook? Was Mr. O’Neills lack of being selected based on Joyce’s and Denise’s personality differences with him? Makes a parent wonder…
Dee:
Sebring-I guess that is one of my biggest hang ups is I hear people say teachers and staff are unhappy, but I have asked the kids’ teachers both the end of last year and this and none of them are. I have asked faculty I know well too, they all have good things to say about the Superintendant. The teachers that I know that left last year-should have left. They were horrible. There are more teachers this year-that should leave. While I do see some great teachers, there are some really bad teachers too.
Regardless-I still have seen nothing that would warrant taking money from an ill-funded district to pay a disliked Super (by some)leave. To me-that is just the most fiscally irresponsible thing this district could do-especially with the budget where it is. I would rather see that money go for my kids education and for their desperately needed books and supplies. So here I sit, and watch and read, and attend the meetings and I see a situation that is just ugly and that can’t possibly have a good outcome.
My biggest worry was that we would have board members come onto the board with pre-concieved prejudices and judgements that would cloud their guidance for the future of this district. Sadly, from what I have seen and read, I am afraid that is what has happened. But I will reserve judgement until I have seen them at work. Hopefully, when they have all the information and they can see the workings of the district from a leadership position they may find that this is all not what it appears to be.
Until then, I will continue to be informed and I will read and study what I can find and ask questions where appropriate. Is is nice to see that you have some tact and can be respectful. So-are you one of these teachers that no one can know about? Supposedly all these teachers hate the district so much-but I have still never met one. Are you a teacher? Is this where your POV comes from? Thanks.
December 5, 2008, 4:37 pmMJ:
I agree with Sebring
The new board needs to hold Lutrey to the contract- one which she fought to get. The one that says she gets a raise each year- no matter what financial crisis the district may be in. The only reason Lutrey wants out now is because she knows that the new board will hold her accountable for what is happening in HUSD. Thus far, the board members are just eating up whatever Joyce (and her “executives”) feeds them, and if Kim questions anything, they say it’s because of her personality conflicts with Joyce.
Joyce and Denise allow an uncomfortable and at times, hostile work environment for their teachers and staff, and contribute to it themselves. The only reason that some employees say that moral is high is because they know if they speak the truth, they will be reprimanded. I wish more of the former HUSD employees would come forward and tell their stories, but I am sure HUSD would come up with excuses and blame for those too.
The over ride vote speaks for itself- it barely passed, and I am sure without the effort of the employees who actually care about HUSD campaigning for it- the over ride would have lost.
Dee- As for having bad teachers in HUSD- with all the bad press, I am suprised any teachers even apply for jobs there. It’s too bad HR didn’t make us a chart that shows how many teachers and employees left, and how many are new. Joyce and Denise are slowly but surely weeding out all of the employees who have been around the longest (the ones who know all the dirt).
And as for budget and the money and where it should go- If Joyce and her “executives” didn’t do all their finalcials so shady- we, the tax payers would know exactly where that money was going. There is quite a bit of it that goes directly to them- read the blog about all their benefits, and the article about how much of the funding is actually spent in the classroom.
Our district is no more ill funded than any other in the state, we get as much per student as every other public school district. It is how our leaders have chosen to spend the money that puts us in the situation we are in now. Maybe if we weren’t paying for $200,000 life insurance policies for every administrator we would have books for your kids, or maybe HEMS could buy paper so teachers could make photo copies for their classes.
December 5, 2008, 7:40 pmPeggy:
I too was upset that Geoff didn’t win a seat on the board. I really had high hopes for our district. But, we’ll leave it up to Kim, Greg, and Paul to make the needed changes. Concerned Parent, you give excellent examples of the bad leadership in HUSD, and while most people blame Joyce and Denice, let’s not forget Fred Stone. For the last few years he was the one making most of the financial decisions for HUSD. He, like the two ladies, has his own adgenda, and fattening his pocket is on it. He is also just as much to blame for the lack of trust and respect the employees have for the district. Can anyone tell me how he gave half of his job responsibilities to Mr. Busch (the new Executive Director of Finance) yet Mr. Stone still makes his 6 figure salary?
December 5, 2008, 7:56 pmKatie:
Dee, You say you have spoken to several staff members that are happy as well as teachers, I would love to talk to them since I know of plenty that are not. I can tell you as a fact that there are staff members that have spoken up and were then knitpicked and scrutinzed until they were finally forced out or fired. This is something that has been happening more than you realize. It will only be a matter of time before they start coming out of the woodwork now that they have nothing to lose.
December 5, 2008, 8:12 pmKelly:
I think it would be great if Dr Birdwell was offered the Superintendents position! Dr Birdwell would be a wonderful Superintendent. This person knows her stuff - why do you think that other district wanted to hire her. I’m so glad to see newer people getting hired in the district. I hope that the new board members go around and clean house and do away with the employees who have been there for so many years. They need to make sure that these employees get with the program and go with new change! I’ve met some of the older employees and have seen how stubborn they are about new changes and still want to run this district as if it is still 1 school district. I hope they open their doors to experienced employees from all parts of the state or from other parts of the U.S. This district is growing and needs bright fresh minds willing to prosper with the district!
December 7, 2008, 12:03 amPeggy:
Lucky for all, if “Birdwell for sup” goes to the board- it will get shot down!
December 7, 2008, 2:58 pmWhich other districts wanted to hire her?
The only interview I know that she had was out of state, and she did that behind HUSD’s back.
Monica:
Dee,
you are very misguided if you think that only “horrible” teachers have left this district because of Dr. Lutrey. When you are “informing” yourself about how teachers are treated, check out letters that go out to our teachers from the district. Compare them to letters that go out from the district to teachers in Chandler and Gilbert. The truth is that MANY GOOD teachers have left and will leave because of her tactics. Fortunately, people are watching now. The public has had enough. The election of this new board should tell you that.
December 9, 2008, 1:58 pmBecky:
I agree there shouldn’t be a buy out for the superintendent. Shouldn’t parents and voters demand where is the proof. Before we go spending thousands of dollars buying her out. Is it in writing somewhere Dr Lutrey did all these bad things. Because I thought before you can post anything about anyone on here there needs to be sometype of proof or is this called slander. Why don’t we just get out the nuse and start accussing people (on who to get rid of) or does it take one wanna be famous family to say something to get the ball rolling. I think after holidays these board meeting are going to become more interesting. I wonder how far some board members are willing to take too. Just a word of advice before any action is taken. There might be some skeltons in some peoples closets that they might not like to brought out in the open. Like I said these new board members are out for personal vengence.
December 11, 2008, 9:38 pmGeoff Johnston:
I get the impression Dr. Lutrey may be driving these discussions. But again, let’s wait to see what is proposed before deciding whether we like it or not.
December 11, 2008, 10:54 pmPeggy:
I got the impression that Lutrey was driving these discussion as well. She is the one who has been searching for employment outside of HUSD.
Becky asks for “proof of all the bad things she has done”…well the current board has not asked a lot of questions of Lutrey in the past. The new board is not out for “revenge”, they are out for accountability. They want answers to questions like- why are so many employees leaving HUSD, -where is all the funding being spent, - is HUSD meeting all the state standards…
December 13, 2008, 9:43 pmObviously the public/tax payers/parents agree since they voted in a new board. I think Becky is not giving the informed voters enough credit. The public would not have voted for new board members if they thought the candidates’ intentions were anything less than honorable. I am glad she included the board members’ oath- it just goes to show that some of the current board members did not follow it, and the reason why new members were voted in.
Peggy:
Personal opinion posted on a blog is hardly slander. If it was slander, then gossip columnist and trashy magazines would not be in business. Anyone in the public eye opens themselves up to criticism. We live in America where the citizens have the freedom of speech, we can comment on anything we like. We also have publicly funded schools, and we are allowed to question any choices and acts made by those in charge.
December 13, 2008, 9:51 pmKatie:
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008
AGENDA
…
6.2 Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3), the Governing Board May
Convene in Executive Session for Discussion or Consultation with
the Attorney for the Public Body Regarding a Potential Separation
of Employment and General Release Pertaining to the
Superintendent
6.3 Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(1), the Governing Board May
Convene in Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing the
Employment of the Superintendent Related to Item 6.2.
…
December 14, 2008, 12:00 pm11.0 Executive Session – Employee Issues
11.1 Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(1), the Governing Board May Convene in
Executive Session to Consider Employment Issues Associated with a Classified
Employee, Jennifer Meller
Katie:
In the previous post, I ask that you take note of articles 6.2 and 6.3. This states :Potential Separation of Employment and General Release Pertaining to the Superintendent. Is this something that is honestly being considered? Are we prepared for a buyout? Where is this funding coming from? I am also interested in attending to see what the nature of items 11.1 and 12.1 are. I have never seen an employees name appear on the agenda. Will this information be public or will it be another “behind closed doors” session? Is there actually an employee coming forward to speak to the board? I can only assume this is the employee that was mentioned on here a few weeks back. I hope the board will listen with open minds. That must take alot of courage to make a statement. Hopefully this will pave the way to more employees wishing to be heard. It would be nice to see the board support an employee, although I have a feeling it will turn into more of a lynching.
December 14, 2008, 12:10 pmBecky:
This employee that is coming forward is no longer with the district since last week. She is no longer considered an employee. I would say she is an ex-employee to the district. But anyways this employee is coming forward because she isn’t with the district any more. And if she says something they can’t come back and fire her any more. I think what ever this ex-employee says the public and the board might think she is just retaliating against the board. I’ve been told this employee had so many parent complaints about the way she treated parents and how she greeted customers.
December 14, 2008, 12:28 pmKatie:
Becky, It is sad that you are judging a person that has not even had the opportunity to speak yet. Another prime example as to why people don’t come forward. She is obviously still an employee if she is meeting with the board. Remember, she was given the option of resigning and chose not to. As for parent complaints, that has never been mentioned on here, so I am not sure where that information is coming from. I would have to assume that if that was true,it is information that only you know. This leads me to assume you are a district employee who perhaps holds something against her.
December 14, 2008, 12:44 pmBecky:
Peggy - this is a response to your posting. I am too a parent/voter in this district. It just amazes me on how parents behave in this district. I work closely with my childrens schools sometimes volunteering. How some parents demand things that they think it is owed to them. I recently just found out that angry parents created a committee to go after certain staff. I can’t believe that the board allows for parents to attack some of their staff. Shouldn’t the board stand behind its staff whenever no laws have been broken. I just hope that someone in government is looking at all of this on what is happening here in this blog and what is about to happen when these new board members come in. I am very much happy with my students teachers and the upper staff that touch their lives. If it ever comes down to having to rally parents to support some of the staff that will be attacked on when these new board members come in. Then they will have other parents to rally to take them besides the one that has been created!
December 14, 2008, 12:44 pmBecky:
Katie - I am not an employee to this district. I just work closely with my childrens schools. And we tend to get some of the news from what is happening there at your district office up to the campuses. I tell you I don’t think she was the only one that parents complained about up front that dealed with the public.
December 14, 2008, 12:50 pmBecky:
What gets me is that people on this blog try to figure out who is posting in here. I am Dr Lutrey, I am not an employee, and I am not the wife or husband of a board member to this district. I am a concerned voter and parent in this district!
December 14, 2008, 12:54 pmBecky:
Sorry about that I am not Dr. Lutrey.
December 14, 2008, 12:54 pmGeoff Johnston:
Katie,
Thanks for pointing out the new board meeting agenda. Here are some responses:
Is this something that is honestly being considered?
Well it is on the agenda so I think it is safe to say yes.
Are we prepared for a buyout? Where is this funding coming from?
The answers to these questions depend entirely on the details. Since we don’t have any details yet, we are probably best served waiting to see what Dr. Lutrey and the current board have on the table.
December 14, 2008, 1:58 pmGeoff Johnston:
Becky: I recently just found out that angry parents created a committee to go after certain staff. I can’t believe that the board allows for parents to attack some of their staff.
What do you mean the board “allows for parents to attack some of their staff”? Parents have every right to voice their opinions after all (thanks to the 1st amendment).
Shouldn’t the board stand behind its staff whenever no laws have been broken.
It seems to me the board ought to represent the best interests of all stakeholders in HUSD and that includes gathering as much information as possible.
I just hope that someone in government is looking at all of this on what is happening here in this blog and what is about to happen when these new board members come in.
What on earth are you even talking about? This is a public blog so anyone with an internet connection is free to read it. And the freely elected members of our board (present and future) are now officially “in government”. Seriously, what the heck are you implying? Your comments are beginning to sound looney.
December 14, 2008, 2:05 pmKatie:
Geoff, I would be interested to know if the board members actually read this blog. I have seen a random post here and there, mostly as guest posts. What kind of protection is offered by the board for those that come to them with a concern? Is it safe to say that the staff is allowed to do so in confidentiality? I notice that on the district website, there is only one current board members private email address. If in fact they are contacting board members through the HUSD web addresses given, does that then permit HUSD to monitor them? How would someone then feel safe?
December 14, 2008, 6:18 pmGeoff Johnston:
Interesting questions Katie. I don’t know which board members regularly read this blog but Greg Land and Venessa Whitener have submitted guest posts so I know they are both occasional visitors. Your questions about the security of writing board members via their HUSD emails is a good one though. I will do some research on that.
December 14, 2008, 7:15 pmMJ:
Ah, the no nonsense, straight forward, and honest Geoff Johnson! It is refreshing. This is why he should have been elected to the board. He is not afraid to say what is on his mind, and he will tell you the truth, even if you aren’t going to like what you hear. You rock, Geoff!
December 14, 2008, 9:35 pm