McElyea decision postponed
by Kathleen Stinson

The Deer Valley Unified School District postponed deciding on whether to allow their superintendent, Virginia McElyea, to go to work for a company contracted by the district to do the same job she already holds.

In question is whether the school district will allow McElyea, who is paid $171,377 annual salary, to go to work for smartschoolsplus, a company that sells the services of teachers and administrators back to the district after they retire.

McElyea, 58, is eligible to retire and has a combined total of 30 years service with the district.

If the school district allows her to go to work for the Tempe‑based company, she will get paid 80 percent of her salary, plus she will be eligible to collect retirement pay.

District spokeswoman Sandi Hicks said the district has saved $861,000 using smartschoolsplus.

Currently the district has 27 smartschoolsplus employees, she said.

DVUSD board member Ron Bayer said McElyea’s situation creates an “inherent conflict of interest.”   

“If we are truly concerned about the education of the children ... and we tell parents we don’t have enough money for textbooks or individual aid for special education children–then how can the board justify this,” Bayer said.

DVUSD board member Christina Eng said district employees are entitled to participate in smartschoolsplus and they are entitled to their retirement.

But she added, “I absolutely do feel there are some long‑term issues that need to be looked at by the legislature” with regard to how it affects all employees’ retirements.

Board president Christy Agosta said she does not think there could be a conflict of interest because committees, not the superintendent, negotiate the smartschoolsplus contract.

“Because of our growth, I don’t think there are any problems,” Agosta said.

The vote last week was not taken and the item was removed from the agenda because one board member was absent, Hicks said.

Other school district board members Ted Carpenter and Michael Gregoire did not return calls placed by The Desert Advocate seeking comment.

Reach the reporter at kathleen@thedesertadvocate.com.