Board accepts resignation, approves separation arrangement; agrees to use MSBA services for superintendent search
The Butterfield-Odin Public School (B-OPS) School District – and half-time B-OPS Principal Lisa Shellum – officially parted ways following a decision made at a special B-OPS School Board meeting held on Wednesday, July 6.
Shellum had submitted a letter to the School District on June 28, 2016, in which she stated that it was her understanding that she has been “constructively discharged” from her position as principal, effective on June 28. In that same letter, Shellum requested “official board action immediately.”
In addition to asking for such action, she also addressed payout, “ASAP (as soon as possible) as to sever my ties as an employee of the Butterfield-Odin Public School.” Shellum also noted in the correspondence that she is “no longer an employee of the district as of June 28, 2016.”
By a vote of 4-3 (B-OPS Board Chair Joel Penner, B-OPS Board Vice-Chair Leon Wenner, B-OPS Board Treasurer Andy Pierson and B-OPS Board Clerk Tammy Wolle in favor; B-OPS Board Directors Kristy Haseman, Diane Peterson and Renae Meyer against), the School Board interpreted and considered Shellum’s communications to constitute an employee resignation, effective on June 28. The Board also denied that Shellum has been constructively discharged. (Shellum had been removed from her half-time superintendent post in December 2015.)
As a result of that interpretation, the Board majority deemed Shellum’s superintendent contract, dated January 27, 2014, to be terminated in full. It was also determined that Shellum’s continuing contract rights under Minnesota Statutes section 122A.40 to have been terminated in full due to her resignation.
Haseman, with verbal consent from Shellum, read a paragraph from an Shellum’s resignation letter into the meeting minutes. That paragraph cited illegal activity and sexual discrimination by the Board majority. The paragraph noted the majority’s illegal and retaliatory behavior that included, but was not limited to, the termination of Shellum’s superintendent contract and placement on administrative leave from her role as principal while conducting an ongoing investigation into her conduct in that position.
The approved separation agreement by the School Board between the School District and Shellum includes:
+ Payment for unused accrued vacation time of 48.5 days, at a daily rate of $504.80, for a total payment in the gross amount of $24,482.80.
+ Payment of $5,000 in severance pay as the School Board considered Shellum voluntarily resigned from her half-time position as B-OPS principal.
+ Denied Shellum’s request to reallocate her unused sick time, as there is no such allowance in the Superintendent’s Contract or any other agreement between Shellum and the B-OPS School District.
+ Continued coverage will be provided for Shellum under the School District’s group health plan pursuant to COBRA, and otherwise required by law. Shellum will pay for the cost of the insurance at her own expense.
+ A time will be arranged with half-time Acting B-OPS Superintendent Sandi Novak for Shellum to retrieve her personal belongings, other than documents. Documents which relate to the performance of Shellum’s duties as a B-OPS School District employee are District property. Shellum will be able to submit to Superintendent Novak a list of documents she believes are purely personal in nature.
Superintendent search enters new phase
The B-OPS School Board engaged the superintendent search services of the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) during action on the meeting’s next agenda item.
At the meeting was Sandy Dunlop of the MSBA, who provided and discussed information about the association’s services. These services will be completed pro bono for the district.
The search will be for a half-time Interim B-OPS Superintendent, as the timeline to fill a permanent position has too narrow of a window. However, an interim superintendent post has the possible potential to evolve into permanency.
This search was made necessary when half-time Superintendent Jerry Reker resigned from that position on Tuesday, June 21, just prior to the regular monthly B-OPS School Board meeting. Reker had been slated to begin his duties with the School District on July 1.
The tentative timeline worked out between the School Board and Dunlop is as follows:
+ July 6 – Board approves search timeline, hiring criteria, search procedures and stakeholder involvement.
+ July 6 to August 1 – Opening posted on MSBA website, advertisement of vacancy, applications are received and applicants’ inquiries answered.
+ July 18 (regular monthly School Board meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m.) – Board develops interview questions and procedures.
+ August 1 – Application deadline.
+ August 4 (special Board meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m.) – Screening meeting at which the School Board determines interim superintendent candidate finalists and interview questions and procedures are finalized.
+ August 11 (special Board meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m.) – First round of interviews and selection of candidates for a second interview.
+ August 15 (special Board meeting beginning at 4:30 p.m.) – Second round of interviews and information presented by Penner on reference checks.
+ August 15 (regular Board meeting beginning at 7 p.m. – start time backed up one-half hour due to interviews) – Included on agenda is the selection of finalist, and the beginning machinations to determine contract parameters and employment and contract negotiations with the selected School Board committee).
+ August 22 (special Board meeting – target date) – Board approves the employee contract.
+ September 1 (or as soon as possible) – Interim Superintendent reports to work.
