BOE Continues Hinzman’s Evaluation
By ANTHONY GAYNOR, Staff WriterThe Randolph County Board of Education on Monday continued its yearly review of Superintendent Sue Hinzman for the second time. After a nearly three-hour executive session, board members returned saying they were still not finished.
"We are just doing a thorough job," Board President Ed Tyre said. "It will be done at the next meeting."
The review began at Nov. 17 board meeting and continued Monday night.
The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 15 and a special meeting has been called for Dec. 8 to discuss a personnel matter. It will also include a work session on teacher salaries.
During the public comment portion of Monday's meeting, West Virginia School Service Personnel Association President Jackie Long and West Virginia American Federation of Teachers employee Bob Morgenstern spoke to the board about pay raises for county employees.
Morgenstern said Senate Bill 541, passed in 2007, allowed the county to keep a higher portion of property taxes in 2007 and 2008. He said that portion exceeds $400,000 and the intent of the bill is to use the money for teacher pay increases.
Morgenstern handed out several documents including a portion of Gov. Joe Manchin's 2008 State of the State address. He also showed the board a letter that was sent to all county superintendents, minutes of the West Virginia Legislature Education Subcommittee C and a list of the total increase in state aid allowance that resulted from several pieces of legislation.
"The bill does not specify where the money should go," Morgenstern said.
Long added, "It was clear that the intent was to increase teachers' salaries."
Morgenstern said the bill allowed the county to keep an additional 4 percent of property tax in 2007/2008 and will allow an additional 4 percent for the 2008/2009 year. He said the state went from collecting 98 percent of local property tax to 90 percent over the two-year period.
Morgenstern said the Lewis County Board of Education increased payments to health care costs for employees and boards in Upshur, Barbour and Preston counties upgraded dental and optical insurance plans for their employees.
"It is our understanding that county employees have not received a countywide pay raise," Long said.
Tyre responded, "Not since 1989 when the excess levy ran out."
Morgenstern asked the board what the organizations can do to help the county provide employees with a pay raise.
"Help us pass a levy," board member Hollis Vance said. "You had the opportunity to do that."
Morgenstern said the money in the Senate bill was not passed for the county to meet fire code or OEPA (Office of Education Performance Audits) violations.
Hinzman interrupted the discussion among the board and the speakers and said the delegation had exceeded its 10-minute allowance.
"I will get chewed out by OEPA for letting you go over 10 minutes," Tyre said.
Tyre said the board will have an explanation for the teachers during the Dec. 15 meeting.
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fedupas1canbe
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12-02-08 7:08 PM
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Seems to me that Ms. Hinzman wanted the discussion on how to go about getting our teachers raises ended as soon as possible. Its the boe's fault in the first place that the levies aren't passing. Bet she wouldnt have been so "interruptive" if they were discussing her raise. And since when did the board start following rules, they usually do what they want anyway. Oh and remember the old Elkins High School building? I pass it everyday on my way to work and now it appears that many different kinds of birds are calling it home for the winter and probably have for a long time. It looks really nice. All the neighbors are decorating their homes for Christmas and then there is that building. I agree with everyone below me in this list to take out the rubbish at the boe, its starting to smell...
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WVNative
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12-02-08 12:30 PM
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Ms. Hinzman maybe the nicest person in the world and she may have given 100% with all her heart, however, the state audit clearly shows what did not get done. The audit results should be the deciding factor and that is sufficient evidence that it is time for a new regime.
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peace08
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12-02-08 11:09 AM
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Fire Sue Hinzman it's time for some new faces!
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