Deer
Valley approves new contract deal for McElyea
by
Kathleen Stinson
NORTH
VALLEY – The Deer Valley school board voted unanimously last
week to allow Superintendent Virginia McElyea to retire but
retain her position through a contract services provider.
That
move has raised questions by two board members, but the decision
was made in order to avoid a perceived conflict of interest
with smartschoolsplus, another personnel provider contracted
by the district.
“I
am not happy with the rush on this. I’m against doing this (voting)
at this time,” said board member Ron Bayer.
“How
does this benefit our children in the classroom, or teachers
or taxpayers or parents?” he asked.
At
issue was whether McElyea, who is eligible to retire and collect
her retirement pay, could legitimately go to work as a contractor
for smartshoolsplus, continuing her same job.
The
Tempe‑based company currently employs 27 teachers, administrators
and other employees working in the school district. This arrangement
allows employees who are eligible to collect
retirement to continue working for the district. In exchange,
the district saves money by not having to pay into the state
retirement fund.
McElyea
was out of town and could not be reached for comment.
The
board postponed earlier this month a vote on the matter after
Bayer raised questions about
McElyea’s role and responsibilities if she were to work for
the district as a smartschoolsplus employee.
He
specifically noted that McElyea would have been in a position
to oversee the district’s contract with smartschoolsplus.
The
board instead voted on Tuesday to allow McElyea to go to work
for Cottonwood‑based Educational Services Inc., a different
contract provider. The district posted a public notice on Monday
that the board would vote on Tuesday.
School
district spokeswoman Sandi Hicks said the board’s decision was
made to appease Bayer and avoid any appearance of conflict of
interest.
According
to board president Christy Agosta, ESI will pay McElyea 80 percent
of her former salary which was $171,377 annually.
Agosta
said the district will pay ESI the same amount they paid Mc
Elyea when she worked directly for the district, minus 2 percent.
Bayer
and board vice president Michael Gregoire stated they did not
know how much the district is slated to pay ESI when they voted
on Tuesday. Gregoire said he assumed it was the same rate as
with smartschoolsplus, as had been previously discussed.
Agosta
disputes their claim. She said the board knew the amount of
money to be paid ESI was the same as the board planned to pay
smartschoolsplus.
Gregoire,
however, said the contract sent to the board was “generic”
and did not have the blanks filled in.
