Culver's contract calls for the following payments:
- annualized base salary shall be $135,454 (Contract 3.a.)
- Flat monthly payment for the use of personal automobile of $325 per month for use in district and in Dane County (Contract 4.j.)
- $125 per month to defray miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses (Contract 4.l.) [...in lieu of other expense reimbursement for miscellaneous costs incurred carrying out official duties...]
That's a total of about $11,750 per month, or $141,000 per year!
His contract states that the board (that means us, the taxpayers) will pay the cost of:
...required annual dues for one state and one national professional association whose primary missions are to improve education and the professional competence of District Administrator.
- The state association we pay for is: the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators.
- The national association is: the American Association of School Administrators (Cost = $1192, check # 80158)
OK...those make good sense and conform to the contract specifications. But what about the Rotary club? In the past year we paid for Culver's Rotary Club membership, which I understand is $25/quarter + the meal cost at meetings. This year we have paid the following:
- Check# 72592 $101.65
- Check# 74541 $116.00
- Check# 76931 $109.00
- Check# 78245 $116.00
Seeing as (A) we already pay him $325/mo for travel and $125/month for misc meals and expenses (B) given that the Rotary---while an excellent service organization--does not fit the contract requirements of an association "whose primary missions are to improve education and the professional competence of District Administrator". ...why is this not coming out of his healthily lined pocket?
Rotary International Mission Statement:
"The mission of Rotary International, a worldwide association of Rotary clubs, is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders."
...or check the local chapter goals at: http://www.rotary6250.org/downloads/Rotary%20District%206250%20Goals%20for%202007-08.pdf
Let me make this clear: I believe the Rotary Club is an excellent service organization. This is also not an indictment of Dr. Culver. This is simply about who should be paying for the membership. If the school board wanted to cover this cost, it should have been in his contract. WHO is watching out for finances and contract compliance? The board talks a good game about its role to enact policy, but the board also is responsible for proper fiscal management of a $65M business.
Why shouldn't Culver use some of his personal salary or "monthly stipends" for his membership????
Don't we, at some point, have to say "enough is enough" with respect to perks for Dr. Culver?
And why is no one watching for compliance of his contract?
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