Staff
Severance pay for senior administration, an alleged confidentiality breach, and the actions of the former Rainy River District School Board once again will be on the table as the current board holds its regular monthly meeting tonight.
Slated for 7 p.m. at Donald Young School in Emo, the issues carry over from last month when details become public on the former board’s decision behind closed doors at its final meeting in November to amend the contracts with the superintendent of business and director of education so any severance pay would total four years’ worth of salary and benefits, not just one.
The new board originally discussed the issue in-camera at its meeting in January, and amended the public minutes to note the two contracts had been amended.
But the issue erupted at February’s meeting when trustee Dan Belluz, chair of the former board, revealed exact details concerning the amended severance pay had been passed along to members of the public.
Trustee David Kircher admitted he was the one who passed along the details, but also argued that sharing the information was justifiable given the new board publicly noted the contracts had been amended.
As well, Kircher said the public has a right to know what the former board did, and that contract information such as this is covered under the Freedom of Information Act.
While trustees had deliberated in-camera last month as to whether or not there was a confidentiality breach, further discussion—and a decision—was deferred until their March meeting.
Trustees are scheduled to vote tonight, during the chairman’s report in the public portion of meeting, on whether or not Kircher breached the Trustee Code of Conduct.
Also at tonight’s meeting, Donald Young School will be presented with a recognition of excellence for its celebration of Family Literacy Day last month.
DYS celebrates this national event every year.
This year featured Ranier, Mn. author Mary Casanova paying the school a visit, as well as the school’s annual “Lunch with a Reader” event.
The board also will hear a presentation on Collaborative Inquiry and Learning in Mathematics.
