Bentonville Board, Superintendent To Talk Contract

Poore
Poore

BENTONVILLE -- It might be a while before the School Board finalizes a new contract with Superintendent Michael Poore.

The board last week decided by a 7-0 vote to negotiate a three-year contract with Poore that will include new accountability criteria on which the board and Poore agree.

At A Glance

School Board Meetings

Bentonville School Board meetings at 5:30 p.m. at the Administration Building, 500 Tiger Blvd., unless otherwise noted.

• Thursday: Planning meeting

• March 10: Second high school progress update, 6 p.m. at Old High Middle School, 406 N.W. Second St., Bentonville

• March 17: Regular meeting

• April 7: Planning meeting

• April 14: Board recognition evening, 6 p.m. at Old High Middle School

• April 21: Regular meeting

Source: Staff Report

Poore's contract pays $204,500 this year and runs through June 30, 2016.

Wendi Cheatham, board president, said she expects the contract to be completed by late June, but didn't offer a more specific timeline. She doesn't believe any special meetings will be needed.

Grant Lightle, board vice president, said he believes the process will take "several weeks if not months."

The board typically votes to extend the superintendent's contract by one year around this time every year after completing an annual evaluation.

This year's evaluation came with controversy, however, amid rumors the board would vote not to extend Poore's contract. Many district employees and community members attended two board meetings to show their support for Poore.

The board discussed the matter in executive session for more than five hours during last week's meetings before agreeing to negotiate a contract.

The process will begin with a meeting between Poore and Marshall Ney, the district's attorney. That meeting likely will happen next week, Poore said.

Poore said he isn't certain exactly what changes the board is looking to make to his contract, except they will involve setting some goals.

"That's the interesting part. I don't know. I think it's just right now at that stage where everyone is trying to think of what that should look like," he said.

Cheatham said the board is working to develop a contract focused on accountability, but didn't go into detail. She added she was pleased with how the board has come together on the issue.

Lightle, outlined some of the general concepts he'd like to be part of the contract, including improved transparency, better fiscal discipline and planning, and improved communication with the board. He also wants the administration to focus on opening the second high school on time and on budget with full programming.

Personnel matters are intended to be private, and Poore's contract became an "unnecessarily public situation," Lightle said.

"Obviously, in a personnel matter, board members know a lot of relevant information that is not known to the general public that we can't discuss," Lightle said. "I do think it is a very positive development that we as a board were able to come together on an approach we could all support."

Matt Burgess, a board member, said the board has contacted the Chicago Public Schools for ideas on the kinds of conditions contained in their contracts. That information will be forwarded to Ney to form a starting point in the negotiation, he said.

The negotiation will not involve the kind of drama that accompanied last week's meetings, Burgess said.

"I don't think it's going to be dramatic at all," he said. "I think Mike's got his head in the right place, I think we've got our heads in the right place. We'll be asking for his input. By doing that and having him involved in the process, I think we'll get something fashioned that's more workable for everyone."

Lisa Clark, a board member, said she couldn't go into detail when asked what she thought Poore's contract should include.

"All I can tell you is the general vision of the board is that we have a School District that operates optimally for our kids, their families, teachers and staff," Clark said. "So there's lots of things to look at in making those wheels turn properly. It's an extensive process."

Clark said she had no idea when the contract would be completed.

"My hope is the work and research that is done is thorough and I'm sure we'll take the time that is necessary to make sure it's right," she said.

NW News on 02/28/2014

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