Pass leaving Naselle on June 30 after contract buy-out
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 2:04 pm By KEVIN HEIMBIGNER
kheimbigner@chinookobserver.com
NASELLE — Naselle School Superintendent Rick Pass will
receive a buyout of $90,000 plus benefits as compensation for Pass voluntarily
ending his employment in the Naselle-Grays River Valley School District a year
before his contract expires.
The only item on the May 28 special board meeting agenda
was, “Approval of Superintendent Rick Pass’ and Naselle-Grays River Valley
School District’s Voluntary Separation Agreement and Release.” Approval of the
motion was by a three-to-two vote during a tension-filled, but subdued special
board meeting with an audience of about a dozen. Pass will resign June 30 as NGRV
superintendent.
Pass, Board Chair
Robert Torppa and the NGRV district’s attorney Chris Burton authored the
voluntary separation of employment Agreement. Directors Torppa, Darcher and
Hollis Fletcher voted in favor of the motion and directors Gilbert Haataia and
Art Hyland voted against approval.
Pass’s contract was due to expire June 30, 2014, but a
motion a week before at the regular board meeting of NGRV directors led to his
early departure. That motion made May 21 by Director Ed Darcher stated, “I move
to authorize Mr. Chris Burton, representing the (NGRV School) board, to
undertake negotiations for the purposes of separating employment with the
Superintendent.” At the May 21 meeting Pass had asked for a two-year extension
of his contract through June 30, 2016, but after not receiving unanimous
support from the board, Pass decided to seek the separation of employment.
The separation of employment agreement calls for Pass to
receive $90,000 in compensation that will be spread out equally over 24 months.
He will also receive insurance benefits for 12 months as part of the agreement.
Should Pass find other employment of $50,000 or more per year on or before June
30, 2015, some or all of the final $45,000 of the buyout will not be paid by
the district.
Director Hyland asked if he could have “at least overnight”
to consider the three-page legal document, but Torppa answered, “We can’t table
this matter. That’s just the way it works.” Hyland pointed out that only Torppa
as chairman, Pass and the attorney had an opportunity to see the document
before the 6:30 p.m. meeting on Tuesday.
“After the motion passed at the last board meeting, that is
why we are right here, right now,” Torppa explained. He said that this was the
third draft that he, Pass and Burton had considered and eventually reached
accord upon. Torppa explained that this is a “strict legal instrument and it
can only be voted on for approval or rejection and no changes can be made.”
Director Haataia questioned why the Agreement was for as
long as two years. “I agreed to spread out the compensation over two years and
24 installments to create the least impact upon the school district’s budget,”
Pass explained, making it clear the settlement amount was one year left on his
contract with the district.
Director Fletcher asked if the Agreement would be binding on
the new board (after the Nov. 5 election). “They cannot come back on this,”
Torppa reassured about the Agreement’s specific language to that effect.
“The board chairman negotiates for the board. That is the
only way it can be done. Pass was willing to make (the financial burden) as
easy as possible for the district. I am pretty confident that Pass will not sit
too long and that he will get other employment sooner than later,” Torppa
stated.
Director Hyland had a technical question about deferred
payments not being covered by the contract. Torppa reassured that Burton had
written the legal language.
“I’m wondering if the attorney was representing the school
or Rick?” Haataia queried.
“Without question Mr. Burton represented the board,” Torppa
answered. “I recommend you pass the separation of employment agreement the
attorney, Pass and I have presented. It is a good agreement,” Torppa affirmed.
He then talked of filling the administrative positions in a
“creative manner” and that the three administrators presently on staff would
fulfill the required position of superintendent on an “interim basis” until a
full-scale superintendent search could be conducted. Karen Wirkkala is
principal at the Naselle public schools, Jon Tienhaara is district business
manager and principal at Columbia Virtual Academy and Lisa Nelson is principal
at Naselle Youth Camp School. “Covering the administrative duties will not be
easy, but it is do-able. In reality, this agreement saves the costs of benefits
for the superintendent after the cutoff (June 30, 2014),” Torppa said.
“I don’t care for this agreement at all at this time,”
Haataia stated.
“It is absolutely legal and binding and all aspects have
been covered,” Torppa responded. “The business manager (Tienhaara) and Rick
have helped make this have the least impact on the school’s budget. I want to
commend Rick,” Torppa concluded.
A vote to approve the voluntary separation of employment
motion was then called for with Hyland and Haataia both saying, “No” and
Darcher and Fletcher saying, “Yes,” all in succinct, definite and rapid order.
Torppa then said, “Yes. The motion passes.” Following the
roll-call vote that took less than 30 seconds, the five board directors and
Pass signed the agreement and the meeting that had begun promptly at 6:30 p.m.
ended at 7:04 p.m. Torppa told the audience that anyone seeking to have a copy
of the agreement of voluntary separation of employment would have to make a
public records request to the district.
“I feel relief,” Pass said following the meeting. “I will
focus on wrapping up my superintendent duties and helping with the
administration’s transition in the best way I know how during the next few
weeks. I look at this situation as an opportunity to grow for me and a way to
help put the district back together. I had a great time in Naselle. I love the
place,” he concluded.
Pass’s letter of resignation that was Exhibit A of the Agreement
follows:
I hereby voluntarily and irrevocably resign as
Superintendent of Naselle-Grays River Valley Schools effective June 30, 2013. I
submit this letter of resignation with mixed emotions. I have enjoyed my time
with Naselle-Grays River Valley Schools. I look forward to watching the
advancement of programs in place, and am proud of the accomplishments of the
committed administrators, staff, School Board, and of course, the wonderful
students. I thank the Board for giving me the opportunity to lead the
educational charge for the Naselle-Grays River Valley Schools community these
past years.
My family and I are looking forward to the opportunities
that await us in our future endeavors. I wish the Naselle-Grays River Valley
Schools and the entire community the best.
Signed, Rick Pass
