Naples Daily News (FL)
August 18, 2005
Author: Brent Batten

Based on the general disinterest in the “65 Percent Solution” shown by the majority of Collier County School Board members so far, you might have assumed they don’t support the measure. As it turns out, they do. Or at least you can surmise as much, if they approve the contract for Superintendent Ray Baker coming before them at today’s meeting. The 65 Percent Solution is an idea gaining support nationwide. It would mandate that 65 percent of a school district’s operating budget be spent on classroom functions. State Rep. Adam Hasner of Delray Beach intends to introduce a bill in the Legislature to put the question before voters in the fall of 2006.

And what better campaign ad for a measure to increase classroom spending than an inordinately generous contract for a top administrator? The contract discussion comes just weeks after the board disrupted high school schedules to save money; talked about asking voters for a tax increase and declined to talk seriously about raising impact fees. Giving the superintendent a 10 percent raise, the potential for bountiful raises in the future and a benefits package that would make Ken Lay jealous would cement the board’s reputation as needing help getting its fiscal house in order.

It’s not that Baker hasn’t done a good job. Even his chief critic on the School Board, Linda Abbott, gave him a glowing review just four weeks ago. But in most professions, doing a good job for one year gets you off probation, not onto Easy Street. Baker’s contract calls for a $750 a month allowance for a car to use on business in the county. The IRS suggests a mileage reimbursement of about 40 cents per mile. At that rate, Baker could drive to Everglades City School and back every day. He could also stop for lunch courtesy of the taxpayers. And dinner. The contract gives him $400 a month for unspecified in-county expenses. The contract allows Baker what amounts to seven weeks of paid vacation and another 24 days in sick leave each year.

But don’t expect the superintendent to miss that much work. If history is any guide, lavish vacation packages are actually bonus payments in disguise. School employees are able to accumulate unused vacation and sick days and cash them in at the end of their tenure. Former Superintendent Thomas Richey took more than $200,000 with him when he left the district in 1992. Bob Munz got almost $100,000 six years later. Dan White, $194,000 in 2003. There’s a 5 percent annual raise payable upon receipt of satisfactory evaluations from three of five board members, an additional cost of living raise beyond that, lifetime prescription drug benefits, professional dues to groups outside the realm of education, like Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce.

Of course, the board can get out of the agreement at any time. All it has to do is grant termination pay amounting to the remainder of Baker’s $186,560 annual salary due under the three-year contract. Only if the superintendent refuses to come to work or is convicted of a felony is the termination pay forfeited. Those supporting the contract will argue that other superintendents in Florida receive similar packages. Supporters of the 65 Percent Solution certainly hope so. It will make their job that much easier come next fall.

Brent Batten’s e-mail address is: bebatten@naplesnews.com