TPS Board, Superintendent Part Ways

[mrB]

quote:
from NewsOn6.com
http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=8670591

TPS Board, Superintendent Part Ways

Posted: July 14, 2008 10:29 AM CDT
Updated: July 14, 2008 10:41 PM CDT

The Tulsa School Board and Superintendent Michael Zolkoski announced their mutual agreement to part ways.

In a special meeting Monday night, the Tulsa School Board and Superintendent Michael Zolkoski announced their mutual agreement to part ways. Officials say the agreement has been in the works for at least a week.

Zolkoski will continue his work as superintendent for the next 90 days.

Zolkoski has taken a lot of heat over the Tulsa Academic Center he started last fall. TAC was supposed to be a second chance for troubled kids, but turned into a violent dumping ground, according to an internal investigation.

All content © Copyright 2000-2007, WorldNow and KOTV. All Rights Reserved.

quote:
from Tulsa World
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080714_262_Tuls630324

Tulsa superintendent to leave post

By ANDREA EGER, World Staff Writer
7/14/2008  8:41 PM
Last Modified: 7/14/2008  11:15 PM

So, another search for a new Superintendent begins?

[mamafrog]

Dr Z will be here for 90 days.  I hope they can find a replacement by then.  It will be interesting to watch.

He got a $400,000 buyout of his contract.  But he has to work for 90 days and he got no bonus.  I do find that interesting.

[TUalum0982]

quote:Originally posted by mamafrog

Dr Z will be here for 90 days.  I hope they can find a replacement by then.  It will be interesting to watch.

He got a $400,000 buyout of his contract.  But he has to work for 90 days and he got no bonus.  I do find that interesting.

Watching the 10pm news last night, he said the reason he is leaving is due to family reasons, his wife's health.  Can I tell my employer I am resigning in 90 days and get a 400,000 dollar buyout?? Must be nice!

[cannon_fodder]

The paper this AM said he "no longer feels like he can do his job effectively" because of the situation and that they have agreed to part ways.

I haven't followed the situation closely enough to cast a stone I'm afraid.  I can see how a mess could be there that he didn't cause and didn't have time to clean up.  I could see the board or other bureaucracy slowing down his attempts.  I just don't know.

Superintendents are like college coaches, they get huge contracts for extended period of time and when they get fired they get buyouts.  Not really sure why.  What did "Dr. Z" have to offer that a dedicated TPS principle doesn't?  Surely somewhere in our system their is a man or woman that can be brought up to head the entire system for something less than $300,000 a year on a 5 year contract.

I don't get it.  Do we just need an expensive figure head to try and improve the reputation of the district?  I know everyone does it, but why?

[TUalum0982]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

The paper this AM said he "no longer feels like he can do his job effectively" because of the situation and that they have agreed to part ways.

I haven't followed the situation closely enough to cast a stone I'm afraid.  I can see how a mess could be there that he didn't cause and didn't have time to clean up.  I could see the board or other bureaucracy slowing down his attempts.  I just don't know.

Superintendents are like college coaches, they get huge contracts for extended period of time and when they get fired they get buyouts.  Not really sure why.  What did "Dr. Z" have to offer that a dedicated TPS principle doesn't?  Surely somewhere in our system their is a man or woman that can be brought up to head the entire system for something less than $300,000 a year on a 5 year contract.

I don't get it.  Do we just need an expensive figure head to try and improve the reputation of the district?  I know everyone does it, but why?

agreed.  Why not look for someone locally that is qaulified rather then looking outside of the state for someone who is just looking for a good paying job that they can "pad their resume with" until they find another higher paying job in the same field.  I think it is a gerat idea to look for someone locally who is qualified and who really cares about the students and our city.

[breitee]

Good riddance to bad rubbish!

[RecycleMichael]

The settlement does seem odd.

If everybody wants the guy gone, why give him 90 days? I am a member of a national non-profit board and our leader just resigned. We agree to seven days. Is there nobody who can do his work getting the school ready? Do we really want a guy who is out to be making all those decisions?

The $400,000 seems like a lot, but that is just because I am poor.

I look at it like a divorce. Why do divorces cost so much? Because they are worth it.

[Double A]

This is a good start. Now we just need to get rid of Perceful and Livingood.

[mamafrog]

I think he is staying 90 days because no one wants the second in commmand to command the school system, even during transition.  She was here when he got here, and she is going to be here when he is gone.  Maybe someone needs to look at how she does her job.

[Michael71]

His public announcement stated that he was leaving for "personal reasons, he wants to spend more time with his wife"...why would he get paid for not honoring his contract?

Can someone explain to me why he would get the buyout?  Who pay's for it? city or county? etc...?

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelWayne_71

His public announcement stated that he was leaving for "personal reasons, he wants to spend more time with his wife"...why would he get paid for not honoring his contract?

Can someone explain to me why he would get the buyout?  Who pay's for it? city or county? etc...?

Paid for out of the TPS funds.  I don't recall the exact account they called it in the paper yesterday.

I would imagine TPS funding comes from state and federal funding.  It's all taxpayer funds, just not sure what % comes from which kitty.

Tulsa seems to have a problem promoting anyone local to leadership roles.  We like to import the brain-trust. [xx(]

[swake]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelWayne_71

His public announcement stated that he was leaving for "personal reasons, he wants to spend more time with his wife"...why would he get paid for not honoring his contract?

Can someone explain to me why he would get the buyout?  Who pay's for it? city or county? etc...?

He's employed by the Tulsa School District which is a completely separate entity from the city and county. He's technically a state employee but employment decisions like this are made by the locally elected school board. The city and county have no oversight whatsoever.

[CoffeeBean]

Keith Ballard, the name floated by the paper, is both a local guy and well-respected.  I think he would be a wise choice.  

With family, reputation and history in the community, he has a vested interest here.

[ARGUS]

Bye Bye Dr. Z, no buyout. broken contract=no buyout. Next? Fix TPS 1st! then Tulsa streets or we are doomed to a dismal future around here.

[Double A]

Until school board members Perceful and Livingood are replaced I don't expect to see any improvement  with TPS. They are a big part of the problem, and are certainly not part of the solution.