IROQUOIS SCHOOLS
With modification, Rochelle pact OK’d
Legal hurdle cleared as board approves extension to 2012
In a motion slightly changed from one passed at the Iroquois School Board’s last meeting, the board Tuesday approved extending Superintendent Neil A. Rochelle’s contract to 2012.
The original motion, approved June 25, had made Rochelle’s contract a six-year agreement, contrary to state education law. Assisted by its legal advisers, the board reworded the proposal to meet state requirements.
Although the terms were nearly identical to the resolution passed, 7-0, two weeks ago, including the 4 percent pay increase and date of extension, Tuesday’s measure moved forward by a 6-1 vote. The dissenting vote was cast by Charles Specht, a longtime and often vocal critic of the administration, who was participating in his first meeting as a board member.
Specht said his vote was based on feedback he received on Election Day from voters who he said were asking for “change.” With that in mind, he said, he could not give the superintendent, who has held the top post in Iroquois since 2003, his endorsement.
During the reorganization portion of the meeting, the board elected Sue Brunner and Greg Parkes as president and vice president, respectively, for 2009-10.
In other business, the board agreed to tighten control over change orders for capital projects. In the past, the superintendent or designee has had the authority to approve change orders of up to $20,000.
At Specht’s suggestion, that authority was specified not to exceed 10 percent of the total capital project, with individual change orders capped at $20,000.
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