The Examiner U-46 News FeedSanders’ new U-46 pact sparks public comments By Seth Hancock
Without any public discussion, the Board of Education in School District U-46 voted unanimously on a new contract for Superintendent Tony Sanders, even though the current contract didn’t expire until 2024, at its meeting on Monday, June 20.
The new contract runs from July 1, to June 30, 2027 with Sanders receiving a 4 percent salary increase from $258,886 to $269,243. The board did not explain how Sanders “earned” the pay raise under the current contract metrics.
The public was given no information that contract discussions were even underway, nor was the new contract available until it was posted after the meeting. An agenda item just stated the board would vote on the new contract.
“We have been working on this contract for a few months now,” said Sue Kerr, board president. “We have done this all in closed session.”
Five public commenters addressed the board during public comments all asking the board to table the contract until 2023 and after the local board elections next April.
“It’s improbable that boards in both private and public sectors of all organizations would engage in contract extensions well outside the usual and customary negotiation windows,” said Tracy Smodilla. “This has many concerned that this board has set precedent for future negotiations with personnel or vendors and outside the purview of public scrutiny.”
“We elected you. Each one of you got a vote from parents,” said Melissa Varner. “We didn’t elect Mr. Sanders, so we’re counting on you to make the right decisions for us and our kids.”
Public commenters noted state report card data showing academic measures continue to decline as does enrollment.
“My impression, from what I’ve seen, is that this board has abdicated much of its responsibilities to Tony Sanders…. Taxpayers and students, they’re kind of like the afterthought and everything just goes to whatever Mr. Sanders decides,” said Linda Sabo.
Although no board discussion, Kerr provided some details. She said the decision for the new contract was because the current contract was a “CEO contract” as Sanders was not superintendent certified at the time of its approval.
However, the current contract did reference both “CEO and Superintendent” in it.
Kerr said Sanders will receive annual 2 to 5 percent pay increases if deemed “proficient or higher” by the board. She said goals are “very clear with outcomes” but provided no information on what those goals are.
To be noted is the current contract was approved in March 2019 with two years still remaining on Sanders’ previous contract. That was a month before a contested board election.
The previous contract was approved in November 2016, again with two years remaining on an earlier contract, heading into a contested 2017 election year. That came in the midst of several board meetings where large numbers of public comments were made opposing Sanders’ unilateral decision to allow access to restrooms/locker rooms based on gender identity rather than biology.
Also of note, the district posted the new contract after the meeting but removed the current contract, which is still in effect until July.
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