FBISD Board Vote Gives Baitland A Year's Paid Leave (Just in from FortBendNow.com)

FBISD Board Vote Gives Baitland A Year's Paid Leave
by Liz Mitton, Oct 10, 11:17 pm

The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees approved an amendment to Superintendent Betty Baitland’s contract Monday night that will allow her to step down from active duty at year-end 2005 and continue to collect her salary while on leave throughout 2006.

The vote capped a contentious and sometimes bitter exchange during the past two weeks between board members and those in the community who felt the move cut Baitland’s tenure short unnecessarily.

Baitland’s contract was renegotiated early in 2005, extending it to December 31, 2009, and providing for a raise in her base salary to $216,000 per year. In May of 2005, however, Baitland publicly announced her intentions to retire in late 2006.

Trustee Laurie Caldwell moved to reconsider last week’s decision on the amendment which was voted down in a 4-3 vote on Oct. 3rd. At that time, Caldwell stated that while she was in favor of the amendment, she felt some board members needed additional time to review and discuss it.

After convening in closed session for one and half hours, the Board reconvened and Caldwell made the formal motion to reconsider. The motion passed 4-3 with Trustees Caldwell, Lisa Rickert, Stan Magee and Ken Bryant in favor.

The contract amendments provide for:

→ A December 31, 2006, retirement date for Baitland;

→ Baitland to go on leave effective January 1, 2006, using her accrued state and local leave and vacation days, which would add up to a year;

→ During her leave, Baitland would not be required to perform her duties as superintendent. The board would appoint another person or persons to oversee those duties;

→ Baitland would provide advice and counsel as called for by the board and has the consent of the board to attend professional conferences during her leave.

→ Baitland would provide assistance and cooperate with the district regarding claims, complaints, lawsuits or other legal actions that may be brought against the district;

→ Baitland would be indemnified from any claims that may be brought against her if they relate to the term or scope of her employment with the district;

→ Both parties would agree to a mutual non-disparagement clause, which provides that neither Baitland nor the board (as a body or individually) will disparage the other or interfere with any contracts or business relationships.

The board also unanimously approved hiring Don McAdams, president of the Center for Reform of School Systems, to serve as a moderator during the Board’s self-evaluation scheduled for November 7, 2005.