ThisWeek CW 11/20/2014

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2014/11/17/gmlea-has-no-confidence-in-hoover.html

Almost 200 Groveport Madison Local Education Association teachers and family members turned out for the Nov. 12 Groveport Madison School Board meeting in support of a “no confidence” vote against Superintendent Bruce Hoover.

Nearly all of the more than 400 GMLEA members — 98 percent — voted in favor of a “no confidence” document outlining the union’s concerns.

Neither the board nor Hoover commented on the GMLEA vote during the meeting. Afterward, Hoover said the union’s claims were unfounded and required “fact-checking.”

“We’ve got kids to educate and that’s what our focus needs to be. I’d like to see some fact-checking,” he said. “They can say this isn’t about the upcoming negotiations, but with the OEA (Ohio Education Association) representative in the back of the room, you know they’re keeping an eye on it.”

A letter to the board that was also provided to ThisWeek Nov. 12 outlines three specific areas of concern: the superintendent’s commitment to responsible fiscal management, transparency and competent leadership.

The letter charges Hoover with cutting educational programs while adding to the district’s administrative staff; giving bonuses and other financial compensation to administrators to give the impression that salaries had not increased; and repeatedly violating the negotiated agreement between the union and the board of education.

The union said the “no confidence” action was “the culmination of years of dissatisfaction with administrative practices, doubts about the ongoing successful operation of the district, a lack of collegial respect from (Hoover), frustration with his refusal to address critical issues, and most especially, concern for our students.”

During the public comment period of the meeting, GMLEA Vice President Zac Casperson read a statement regarding the vote, saying he wanted “to make it clear that this has nothing to do with negotiations … this vote is not intended as a lack of confidence in the Groveport Madison Local School District Board of Education, our students, or our community, which the Groveport Madison Local Education Association vehemently support.”

Contract negotiations between the GMLEA and the district are scheduled for this spring.

In regard to fiscal management, the union’s letter focused on increases in administrative staff in the midst of cuts to educational programs, and specifically questioned salary increases for high school Principal Aric Thomas totaling $53,980 that were approved April 10, before voters approved a levy in May.

District Public Relations Officer Mary Guiher confirmed that this salary increase was accurate.

“I know that the board votes on the budget, that’s not just up to me, and they entered into negotiations with Aric during the levy in good faith,” Hoover said.

District response

In a follow-up email to ThisWeek, sent Friday, Nov. 14, Guiher said the increases were related to Thomas taking on additional duties, overseeing a new career-ready pathways program and helping to facilitate the design and direction of a new high school facility.

“Because of this, Mr. Thomas was offered an extended contract that is competitive with other large school districts in the county,” Guiher wrote. “Although his contract was under negotiations in April, it was not voted on and approved until after the passage of the levy, during the June regular board meeting.”

The GMLEA concern with transparency is tied to financial increases for administrators as well as an alleged lack of attendance reporting on the part of Hoover.

According to the “no confidence” document, Hoover “has reported no absences for any reason to the district attendance system (AESOP) since July 2012.”

Hoover responded that he “provides the board with attendance information,” even though he said he “is not required to by law.”

In the Nov. 14 email, Guiher said, “Mr. Hoover has followed past leadership by keeping a log of his personal and vacation days that he provides to his secretary. In addition, Mr. Hoover is required to notify the board when he will be absent from the district.”

In regard to concerns about Hoover’s leadership, the GMLEA claims there have been “24 grievances filed since he was hired on Sept. 8, 2010.

“Under the previous two superintendents, only four grievances were filed. During Hoover’s tenure, seven unresolved grievances have been forwarded to arbitration as compared to just one since at least 1997, resulting in a substantial cost in legal fees to the district.”

Guiher said Hoover “has worked diligently to hold people accountable to board policy and the bargaining agreement.

“There are times when contract language is interpreted differently by both parties,” she said in the Nov. 14 email. “When disagreements arise, the union can generate a grievance. If the union is not satisfied with the response they receive, they can request arbitration.”

Guiher said the union’s concerns will be taken seriously.

“The board and administration will take these comments seriously, but what’s most important is staying focused on providing a positive learning environment for the students,” she said.