During tight times, every expense should come under the microscope. That should start with an organization's head...i.e., Tim Culver. Recently, Culver graciously asked the school board not to give him any raise this year. Good form, Tim.
But the school board couldn't leave it at that, so they generously raised his vacation days from 25 to 28 per year. Culver's contract is for 260 days, which for most people translates to the standard full-time 2,080 work hours per year. Of course, with 28 of those 260 days being paid vacation days (not to mention holidays), that really translates to about 80% work time.
Folks frequently ask if Culver makes more than the governor. Yes, with all that he pockets, that is true. Folks ask why we pay him so grandly. It's also true that Culver earns more than the State Superintendent of ALL schools, Tony Evers. Truth be told, there are other school "district administrators" in Wisconsin that earn even more! In fact, for districts our size, Culver is paid just slightly above the average. Therefore, any concern over how much we spend should be extended to the broader concern statewide. Yes, Virginia, education does come at a price. The question is: is it time for sweeping change of how these administrators are paid.
Is it realistic to pay Culver $325 per month for "travel around Dane County"? Shouldn't driving within the district be part of his (well compensated) job? Does the school board have evidence that he actually travels $325 worth within Dane County every month? NO! Because he gets this without filing any receipts or paperwork.
The same goes for the $125 per month we pay for "miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses". Why doesn't he get reimbursed based on production of receipts like everyone else?
And then of course there's the $109,963 "separation pay" account that we reserve within fund balance. Ho nice that that money was insulated from the market crash that occurred last fall? Did any of you NOT lose a bunch of retirement money last year (and still haven't gotten it back)? Oh, they'll say it's not for retirement...it's "separation pay". That's right...on TOP of the Wisconsin Retirement System pension he'll receive when he finally hangs up his...whatever he has to hang up.
Change has to start small. Sweeping change begins with one stroke of a broom. Perhaps it's time that our school board "leaders" start leading, by taking a hard and fast look at Culver's --and all administrators' --- pay. Without question, we need teaching staff. THEY educate our kids. Nobody is leading any charge to cut teaching staff. But, in tight times, it takes a strong business leader to start looking at whether or not the business is too heavy at the top. Do we need all the Administrative and Admin Support positions?
Food for thought as the Annual Elector's meeting on the school district budget approaches.
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