The school board recently gave the district treasurer a very favorable evaluation. In considering some of the public concerns expressed regarding her performance, we would have asked the treasurer…

- Why are board agendas and meeting minutes consistently posted late?

- Why are meeting minutes inconsistent and not adequate to convey the board’s rationale for voting, as the law requires?

- Why is the five-year forecast not prepared in a timely manner, with only brief opportunity for public (not to mention board) comment or questions? – Why are you consistently late posting meeting information?

- Why is the public unable to reach you directly?

- Why do you have so much trouble complying with public records requests, often consulting lawyers at district expense? Are you not conversant with school law regarding such requests?

- Why are you consistently “unavailable” to the press for comment on district finances?

- Why, when asked any of the above questions, do you always find someone else or some situation to fault? As CFO aren’t you ultimately accountable for the accuracy, legality and transparency of your office and employees?

In considering any additional raises, perks, incentives, etc. as a result of her recent evaluation, perhaps the board should also contemplate a few of the awards the previous treasurer earned for the district. They truly exhibit fiscal efficiency, accountability and accuracy in reporting:

- 2005 Making Your Dollars Count Award (for demonstrating commitment to careful spending, accurate fiscal recording and efficiency) – State Auditor – 2006-07 Meritorious Budget Award (for excellence in the preparation and issuance of its school system budget) – Association of School Business Officials International – Fiscal Year ending 6/2006 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (for achieving the highest standards in government accounting and financial reporting) – Government Finance Officers Assoc.

MAYBE SOME ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS ARE CONTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENT RECEIVED THROUGH THE OHIO OPEN RECORDS ACT:

AGREEMENT CLARIFYING TERMS OF SEPARATION FOR TREASURER CATHERINE M. BULGRIN

WHEREAS there is currently in existence a contract between the South-Western City School District Board of Education (hereinafter “the Board”) and Catherine M. Bulgrin (hereinafter “Ms. Bulgrin”) for the employment of Ms. Bulgrin as Treasurer through December 31, 2007; and

WHEREAS certain issues have arisen which the parties wish to resolve with a minimum of cost, delay, and disruption; and

WHEREAS the parties are desirous of facilitating a smooth transition in the position of Treasurer for the benefit of the District and its students;

IT iS HEREBY AGREED by the Board and Ms. Bulgrin as follows:

1. The Board will continue to pay Ms. Bulgrin at her currently contracted salary rate for the balance of her contract, and will continue to provide insurance coverage and other fringe benefits without change for the balance of her current contract, except as set forth in this Agreement.

2. Ms. Bulgrin will submit her irrevocable resignation from employment in the District effective as of December 31, 2007. Such resignation shall be submitted for the Board’s acceptance at the same time this Agreement is submitted for the Board’s approval, it being understood and agreed that such resignation shall be conditioned upon the Board’s approval of this Agreement..

3. Beginning with the effective date of this Agreement, Ms. Bulgrin will utilize her unused vacation leave until such leave is exhausted. Notwithstanding anything in Ms. Bulgrin’s individual contract or Board policy, no further vacation leave shall be accrued during Ms. Bulgrin’s employment in the District.

4. Upon the exhaustion of her vacation leave, Ms. Bulgrin will utilize sick leave through June 30, 2007. The Board will not make any objection or require any type of verification for the utilization of sick leave during this period.

5 Effective July 1, 2007, or at such earlier time as the District may identify and hire another individual to serve as Treasurer, Ms. Bulgrin will be placed on special assignment to perform such projects as the Board may determine for the balance of her contract term. During this period, Ms. Bulgrin will not report to work in the District offices but will perform her assigned duties from home or another office location of her choosing. It is also agreed that during this period, Ms. Bulgrin will assume the title of Special Assistant to the Treasurer; provided, however, that such change in title will not affect the salary or fringe benefits paid to Ms. Bulgrin.

6. If, at any time following the Board’s approval of this Agreement, Ms. Buigrin should accept. a position with another SERS, STRS, or PERS public employer, the Board’s obligations under its contract with Ms. Bulgrin shall end as of the effective date of such alternate employment; provided, however, that if the base salary earned under such alternate employment through December 31, 2007 is less that the base salary paid in her current position, the Board shall pay the difference to Ms. Buigrin in a lump sum. The projected difference will be paid to Ms. Buigrin in a lump sum within thirty (30) calendar days of the effective date of such alternate employment. Any required adjustment to the difference, based upon the actual difference as of December 31, 2007, will be paid by one party to the other, as appropriate, by January 31, 2008.

7. Ms. Buigrin may continue to use her District e-mail account as long as she remains an employee of the District, subject to any applicable policies relating to employee usage of school computers and networks.

8. The Board agrees that nothing herein shall be construed as an admission of fault or wrongdoing on the part of the Ms. Bulgrin, and M.s. Bulgrin likewise agrees that nothing herein shall be construed as an admission of fault or wrongdoing on the part of the Board. Both parties will exercise all efforts in good faith to refrain from public comment on either the terms of this Agreement or the circumstances giving rise to this Agreement, and will likewise exercise their good-faith efforts to ensure that the underlying purpose of this Agreement is achieved, namely, a smooth transition in the position of Treasurer for the benefit of all concerned.

9. The Board and Ms. Bulgrin hereby release any and all claims they may now have or could have asserted against the other, or the officers, employees, or agents of the other, past or present, arising from or connected with the employment of Ms. Bulgrin in the South-Western City School District. The Board will not exercise its legal option to nonrenew the contract of Ms. Bulgrin.

WHEREFORE the parties, by their own hand or through their designated representatives, have indicated their acceptance of the foregoing terms by affixing their signatures below:

SOUTH-WESTERN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION