Schmidt: Board Consults Legal Counsel Regarding Reese, Peccia Contracts
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Board of Education President Larry Schmidt wants a legal opinion on the validity of employment contracts made between former Superintendent Joe Hairston and two former senior staff members.
"There are questions about the validity of the contracts, questions about interpretation, questions about education laws" said Schmidt, who kept referring to the contracts as "documents."
"I don't even like to call these contracts," Schmidt said. "I'm not sure what they are."
Typically, contracts dealing with more than $25,000 must be approved by the board. Those of former Assistant Superintendent Don Peccia and Chief Communications Officer Phyllis Reese—who were reassigned earlier this month by Superintendent S. Dallas Dance—contain no salary figures.
Schmidt, an attorney, said the contracts do refer to the salaries of the positions so the argument can be made they should have appeared before the board.
"It's a complicated process," he said.
Peccia and Reese will continue to be paid the salaries they received in their former positions. Peccia is slated to earn $158,652 annually as a high school teacher until his three-year contract ends on June 30, 2014, and Reese will make $142,549 as a copy and print specialist before her two-year contract expires on June 13, 2013.
Schmidt said they are keeping their salaries "in part because of the uncertainty of the contract."
He confirmed there are other contracts made between Hairston and staff that the board did not approve. But—as far as he knows—Reese and Peccia are the only ones who have term dates listed.
"Until recently, I thought Dr. Hairston was the only one with a contract," Schmidt said.
Patch is awaiting a list of contract employees from Charles Herndon, a Baltimore County Public Schools spokesman. The request was made Thursday afternoon.
Reese and Peccia's contracts are attached to this blog as PDF documents.
Shell9
6:02 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Figures..Everyone is corrupt. That money could have been better spent rather than filling their pockets. The schools are struggling..They make us supply paper towels, hand sanitizer, zip loc bags, hand soap for our students. Also they give us a huge list for other supplies, then they mix then all together,,,ONE WOULD think that the school would at least supply SOAP and PAPER TOWELS?? Kinda makes you wonder what our taxes DO PAY FOR!!!!! These kinds of backroom deals take away from our kids. They should be ashamed of themselves. Mr. Dancer will most likely do the same thing like Hairston..IS THERE ANY HONEST PEOPLE OUT THERE???????
Paul Amirault
6:15 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
"Mr. Dancer will most likely do the same thing like Hairston"
First his name is Superintendent Dance and he deserves respect. You call him Mr. Dancer, what s that all about?
Shell9
6:22 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
TYPO..DANCE.
Arbutus Town Crier
6:59 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
With all respect whom efforts to do well for your neighborhood, what officials did was diversion of tax money to political pet projects. How many laws and restriction does one need? If your taxes built it, they were to be maintaining it by your taxes, even before the economy crumbled. It’s called encroachment by negligence. You don’t see it maintained for years until the issue and/or major problem erupts.
By then it’s too late because we as a citizens were informed (We didn’t have the time because work family etc…) we let Government on Auto pilot. Now look what we have members of elected officials doing what they think we want (pet projects) but not what we NEED. Good people that do the government work for free with nice gestures now to supply people with material to do the work themselves, while they live travel and play on our dime.
Arbutus Town Crier
7:13 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Shell9, the process is everywhere, What is stated below is how they do the same to communities. ANY HONEST PEOPLE OUT ? Yes but one person cant handle all the corruption I have know Great honest true Gentlemen and the first thing they will tell you they don't want any part of it. And good honest person don't want to put themselves in a situation. Free Speech and Patch is a great place to get the message out!
Matthew
6:16 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
There are honest people out there; in education, politics, and life in general. That said, Joe Hairston isn't one of them. He was as shady as they come and deserved nothing more than a swift kick in the behind as he left. He milked the county to line his pockets and those of the folks who did his bidding and carried his water.
He is a disgrace.
Shell9
6:19 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
So sorry...Mr. Dance!!!!.AND he has to prove himself to US Parents.. I pay his salary along with other parents who have kids in Baltimore County Public School. He has already made a controversial move with the 2 reassigned employees. SO It is Dance to me.
Paul Amirault
6:22 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
You are alone on that "controversial move" island with Peccia and Reese. Shell9 all caps, keep talking and more will ignore you.
Paul Amirault
6:24 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
PS, your contribution to his salary is less than $1.00.
Shell9
6:47 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
I don't care if it $1 or $10. They are supposed to work for the good of the students. Along with the taxpayers, We collectively pay for their salaries and other things needed to run a county school system. He needs to show us that he is different than the outgoing superintendent.
Paul Amirault
6:55 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
And I pay more than you do.
You already don't like Superintendent Dance, why?
Shell9
7:21 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
What are we playing class warfare here? Really, You don't know me from Adam. With regards to your other question. He needs to prove he is working for the good of all the students, not for his school board. With that said...I am done talking with you. Everyone has an opinion.
Glen
2:00 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
One suggestion would be to haul Hairston out of "retirement" to appear before the School Board and explain himself in this devious endeavor. The two administrators in question could perhaps be suspended without pay until the legal issues are resolved. And if the lawyers determine that these contracts cannot be invalidated by our Governor appointed School Board, maybe the balances to be paid should come from Hairston's pension.