[Mpls] Jennings' salary

[dennis schapiro]

David Brauer wrote:

<<It's not every day I agree with Pat Awada, but the Mpls School District's
new contract with Dave Jennings as interim Superintendant seems to be a
textbook case of blurring the bottom line cost to taxpayers.>>

I agree with Awada's call for transparency, too. I disagree that this was an effort to blur the bottom line.




<<The Strib's Allie Shah noted that school board chair Sharon Henry-Blythe
noted "some board members raised questions about the severance provision
because they worried how it would be perceived by the public."
... Consider my perception bothered. Can any schools director justify the
payout?>>

As the board member who raised that question, some background.

I initially supported paying Mr. Jennings at the same rate as Carol Johnson. Put the full amount out there and be transparent.

I was concerned about exactly the perception that Mr. Brauer outlined.

I was convinced, in line with Mr. Held's on-target analysis, that the district would be better served by putting dollars into severance. It should assure that Mr. Jennings stays the course. He leaves early, no severance. He should have less potential for the distraction of looking for his next position, knowing the severance will give some time to begin his search when the MPS job is done.

We should have explained it.




<<That's in a contract that school board directors hope only runs nine months!>>

In my intro journalism course, admittedly taken before the invention of moveable type, we were cautioned to avoid looking into the hearts or minds (or hopes) of subjects. Prof. Charnley said report what they say, not what they think or hope.

(Didn't Woody Allen admit to flunking a theology course final because he was caught looking into the soul of another student?)


Stay tuned, folks. Substance ahead.

Dennis Schapiro
Minneapolis Board of Education
Linden Hills/Hawthorne